JetBlue/LGA

[Flying Freddie]

Reuters
UPDATE - JetBlue requests 10 slots for LaGuardia Airport
Wednesday January 21, 6:21 pm ET


(Updates with analyst comment)
NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - JetBlue Airways Corp. (NasdaqNM:JBLU - News) filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation for 10 slots to begin service from New York's LaGuardia Airport in spring 2004, the low-fare carrier said on Wednesday.

The four-year-old carrier said it expects to announce cities and schedules served from LaGuardia later this winter.

"It's great," said Ray Neidl, an analyst with Blaylock & Partners, who has a "buy" rating on the stock. "The JetBlue product will sell very well out of LaGuardia."

JetBlue, which went public in April and is known for leather seats and direct satellite television on its aircraft, has already built a strong presence on the East Coast between New York and Florida and in the transcontinental market between New York and Long Beach, California.

The New York-based airline competes with other low-cost offerings such as Delta Air Lines' (NYSEAL - News) Song, which flies out of all three New York metro area airports, mainly to leisure destinations in Florida.

JetBlue shares closed up 34 cents at $26.35. The stock has climbed 35 percent in the past year.

 

[ArchieF16]

and another...



JetBlue Applies for Slot Exemptions at New York's LaGuardia Airport
Wednesday January 21, 5:15 pm ET
-- Low-Fare Carrier Seeks 10 Slot Exemptions to Commence Service from 2nd NYC Airport --


NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (NasdaqNM:JBLU - News) has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting ten slot exemptions to commence service from New York's LaGuardia Airport in Spring 2004.


Just four years old, the low-fare carrier is already the largest airline, in terms of passengers carried, at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, currently operating 83 daily departures to 19 cities. Cities and schedules served from LaGuardia will be announced later this winter.

``As New York's hometown airline, JetBlue's planned LaGuardia service will allow us to introduce our brand of service to new customers who prefer to fly from LaGuardia,'' said David Neeleman, JetBlue's Chairman and CEO. ``It doesn't change our growth plans for JFK where we will continue to add more flights to more cities and are working towards construction of a new terminal and a new hangar. But it does give our customers another option when they choose to fly JetBlue.''

 

[Heavy Set]

Probably to better compete with Song...

 

[General Lee]

Good. They will realize too the fun flying potential of LGA. Next they should try to get some gates at EWR. Then they will try to get some slots at DCA. 10 slots---is that 10 Departure and 10 landing? I don't know how that works. But, just remember---we still fly to all 3 NYC airports---and that is still better than 2.....And, they can enjoy even more competition out of LGA to FLA--like Spirit and Song....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[IB6 UB9]

Uhhhhh...what?

 

[General Lee]

Hard to understand eh? I was stating that you guys will now have fun with the normal delays etc at LGA like we have to (yes, I still like the fact that we offer service there, but sometimes the LGA mess is less than fun), and that you also will have to contend with another LCC---which is Spirit---which also flies from LGA to FLL, MCO, etc...

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[SpeedBird]

It's all a matter of your perspective G.L. To me it looks like Spirit will now have to earn its keep in LGA provided jetBlue gets those slot exemptions. Both Spirit and jetBlue may be LCCs, but that certainly doesn't tell the whole story. Oh and while "three" may be better than "two" it certainly isn't as impressive as 3/1. What are you gonna say if/when B6 eventually flies out of all three NYC airports?

 

[IB6 UB9]

Sticks in your craw doesn't it General...to see us coming every time you look over your shoulder! I am quite sure JetBlue will fail in LGA like everywhere else we've been where there is competition. We will see...

 

[ArchieF16]

General,

What happens when JB flies to all three NY area airports.....the only thing you'll have left to post is about the wonderful sushi Song has......

 

[jetblue320]

2 outta 3 ain't bad!

Hey GL,

Sorry ol' Buddy that I wasn't the first to break it to ya but it brought a big grin to my face when I heard the news this afternoon. JB gives us a few hours lead time on announcements of this nature and I was bustin' man until I could get online after it was 'official". Of course, there is the possibility that we won't get the 10 slots we applied for but it sure makes for some interesting dialect on Flightline.com, right?

Anyway, I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you when the word of JB possibly flying to LGA came out. Thank Gosh Song has $7 Sushi and not free blue chips, that'll be the real tie-breaker for sure!!

Honestly, just ribbin' ya. See ya in LGA Pal. We'll be the ones with the pretty new planes FULL of paying passengers!!

 

[NoName]

Welcome to LGA. I think this is the first delayridden airport that Jetblue will grace with their presence. LGA can lead to a bad tring of delays in your system and your passengers will slowly find out that there isnt a big difference between sprit/song/Jetblue. Its a risk, like SWA to PHL, and maybe this is more against airways then delta? Or could they face a similar fate as ATL?

 

[jetblue320]

Welcome to LGA. I think this is the first delayridden airport that Jetblue will grace with their presence. LGA can lead to a bad tring of delays in your system and your passengers will slowly find out that there isnt a big difference between sprit/song/Jetblue. Its a risk, like SWA to PHL, and maybe this is more against airways then delta? Or could they face a similar fate as ATL?

I got news for you, "they" said the same thing about JFK when we picked it over 4 years ago. Nasty airport, Int'l traffic only, nobody flies outta JFK, it's the for certain grave of jetBlue before they even fly the first flight. Look what the reality is now. We can do amazing things. Can we screw up?, yes, we are indeed vulnerable, especailly now that we are the target of, well, everyone. But, I have a strong suspicion that we can tame LGA (in moderation of course, we're talking 10 flights, not 200+) just like we did in JFK.

What's next Ridley, the moon? No, but maybe MIA. Look out AA!!

C Ya

 

[General Lee]

Wow, what a slam on me. First of all, can you guys get the slots? That would be amazing. Can you also demand some DCA slots while you are at it? How about helping us get some London Heathrow slots----your guys over there must work wonders.... I think we also would like some more LGA, but you guys are the only ones......what???? Can anyone just demand slots at a slot controlled airport? I don't recall a lottery at LGA? DCA is having one, but LGA? Hmmmm. Is Hillary in bed with Dave?

Second, so you also want some EWR slots, too? Can you guys really come up with a new focus city is my question. Yes, NYC is huge and has lots of passengers. Your LGB Focus City is constrained by slots--like 41 total I believe. FLL was good, and has some promise of growth. Ok, where next? Just a guess---no secret info....Anybody? ATL? Nope. Will you beg for ORD slots? Nope. BOS----that was a good one, but now you have AA breathing down your neck, and that will also happen at LGA.

Third, I know eventually you guys will be expanding into more of our routes, you guys are getting more airplanes and have to put them somewhere. But, so far you really haven't gone up against another LCC (along with Song)---and you will be doing that at LGA with Spirit there too. You have avoided to the best of your ability going up against more than one (other than Song), and with the other LCCs competing and growing too, it will get tougher. We at Delta protect our huge hubs (which do make money for us) and have started Song to compete with you guys--which has cost us with initial start up costs etc, (which has added to the losses). It will be interesting to watch no doubt.



Jetblue320,

Hey bud, enlighten me here, our passengers don't pay? Some of the profit is going to pay for a lot of the start up costs--like the IFE and paint jobs. You know that. I will also see you there, next to my 757, sitting waiting for 100 airplanes to land on runway 4 while 40 of us wait to takeoff on 13. That will be fun.


ArchieF16,

The sushi is supposedly better than your chips---although I avoid it on trips----I just eat the pilot pellots (pretzels) and food I buy in the terminal.....I doubt you will try EWR, but if you do---enjoy the single runway takeoff (2 parallels--one for landing and one for T.O)---the wait time can be forever to TO. JFK is a lot easier except during the INTL push times.

IB6,

Like ATL? How about LAS-LGB? What about SLC-LGB? You guys never fail. The key difference is that you have avoided cities with other LCCs (besides Song). Your service out of FLL, for example, has never competed with another LCC besides us. You will now, and it will be interesting, especially if you can get the slots. We probably want more too---can we ask also???

Speedbird,

Want EWR? Go for it. Then, I want to see your next MAJOR focus city. What could it be? I am talking one the size of LGB or bigger. I can't think of one. Give me an example---just guess.


Thanks Dudes!!

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[skirt]

Hmmm....so many cool announcements it is hard to keep up with them. Now I can't wait for an OAK base to open up. Life will be sweeeeeet then!

Skirt

 

[F70pilot]

LGA, hmm. They could just pick up US Airway's east coast shuttle and have their A320's AND the slots and gates at LGA....just a thought.

 

[jetblue320]

Jetblue320,

Hey bud, enlighten me here, our passengers don't pay? Some of the profit is going to pay for a lot of the start up costs--like the IFE and paint jobs. You know that. I will also see you there, next to my 757, sitting waiting for 100 airplanes to land on runway 4 while 40 of us wait to takeoff on 13. That will be fun.
Bye Bye--General Lee

C'mon Man, I was jukin' you about the 2 for 1 deal you guys just put in play to retaliate (along with AA) for our BOS start-up. I know you get fares, in fact, your fares are lower that ours. That's the way to go, give away tickets and lower your fares to "compete". We''ll show that jetBlue who's Boss right?

Maybe you missed what I said in another post. Yes, we may not get the TEN slots we applied for. We're not going into LGA whole hog, just a rib or two, just to piss off the giants. Check it out, just like before, we get a reaction and we haven't done a thing but make a press release about filing papers. Who knows, maybe it's a hoax? Sure got DL/AA/USA/UAL et al to scramble. Gosh I love this business!!

Face it dude, for every punch you throw we take it and not only throw two back, but we duck as well.

But, I always want you to know, this flighinfo.com stuff is all in good fun, really!

See ya in 2 outta 3 NYC airports (who knows, maybe all three by this summer!!

 

[General Lee]

Jetblue320,

Hey, I know this is all fun. You guys are expanding with new airplanes, and that is good---for you especially. We are licking our wounds and trying to cut costs. No doubts there.

I just can't figure out how you guys will get the slots. If USAir tanks, then I can see it--although the asking price will be huge no doubt.

I guess I will see you there in LGA and JFK---I am in the green and white $perm 757, unless I am in the 767-300, or in the 767-200, you get the picture. I will be waving. Take care, and I have fun on this forum too--even when 10 guys take me on.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[dlredline]

LGA, hmm. They could just pick up US Airway's east coast shuttle and have their A320's AND the slots and gates at LGA....just a thought.

Glad to see I wasn't the only one who saw that . . .

Verrrrry interesting!

Red

ps. I, too, would like to see OAK as the next JetBlue crew base, though I won't bet Skirt on it, I'm already down beer and a dinner to her.

 

[side stick-n]

Like ATL? How about LAS-LGB? What about SLC-LGB? You guys never fail.

What? General, just for the record, LAS-LGB and SLC-LGB are not a failure. (ATL wasn't either but that has been debated before) In fact the flights are mostly full. If we do end that service it will only be to put the slots to use in long-haul service. I think I've already pointed that out to you in a previous post. You gettin' old and forgetful man?

hummmmmmm... JetBlue Shuttle. Got a little ring to it. I think I like it...... YEP, I like it a lot.....

 

[Dizel8]

Oh, I doubt very much that jetBlue would be interested in running the Shuttle, DAL has theirs, AMR essentially has their own with Eagle and from what I can gather, the Shuttle is no longer the money maker it used to be. Acela is making inroads as well.

As far as aquiring UAIR assets, I sure hope not. The UAIR 320 is powered by CFM's vs jetBlues IAE's. I do not even want to think about integration of the people assets, if any, that would come with such a purchase.

jetBlue announcing applications for slots at LGA may just be to bring a certain HQ in Atlanta a few more headaches, but heck, what do I know, I just try to fly the darn thing.

Gen. Lee, you are right, LGB-LAS, LGB-SLC and LGB-OAK are all failures, there were no master plan at all. What were they thinking?