JetBlue Arrives in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine - JetBlue has officially begun low-fare service between the Portland International Jetport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with four daily nonstop flights, instantly becoming the second-biggest airline serving the airport in terms of seating capacity, officials said. JetBlue fares will range between $59 and $129 each way, a 70% savings off previous high airline fares. Even before its arrival, the low-cost carrier already was having the desired effect of driving down competitors’ airfares, much like Southwest Airlines did when it arrived at the Manchester, N.H. In addition to nonstop service to New York/JFK, JetBlue customers in Portland will have connecting service to 34 other JetBlue destinations, including new service to Jacksonville, FL (service from JFK begins June 15), Pittsburgh, PA (service from JFK begins June 30), Charlotte, NC (service from JFK begins July 12), and Raleigh-Durham, NC (service from JFK begins July 20).