More flights from Gatwick to New York as new route announced
There's hopes it will help the airport recover post-pandemic
More flights will take off from Gatwick Airport bound for New York, starting from September.
The US-based budget airline jetBlue has announced plans for a daily route between the West Sussex site and JFK airport, along with routes to the Big Apple from London Heathrow.
Each flight will be operated on Airbus A321 aircraft with room for 117 core seats and 24 larger 'Mint Suites'.
Robin Hayes, chief executive officer of jetBlue, said:
"The pandemic has opened doors to London’s two busiest airports, and we look forward to bringing customers low fares and great service at both Heathrow and Gatwick.
"We’ve always said that JetBlue would serve multiple London airports, and we’re pleased to have secured a path at Heathrow and for long-term growth at Gatwick, which offers speed, low costs, and convenient accessibility into Central London.
"We have an incredible opportunity to secure long term slots in London’s second-largest airport, and we look forward to building our presence there over the long-term."
The move has been welcomed by airport bosses as they look to reverse a drop in passenger numbers linked to restrictions on travel linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
10.2 million passengers passed through Gatwick in 2020, compared with 48 million the year before - a 78% drop.
Stewart Wingate, chief executive officer of Gatwick Airport, said:
“Being able to offer our customers the low cost, high value experience from JetBlue, with daily flights to New York starting in just a few months, is a welcome addition to the choice of airlines and destinations which Gatwick currently has.
“Equally we look forward to welcoming travelers from the U.S. who are looking for easy, quick access to London, the South of England and beyond.
"We believe this is a start of an important long-term partnership for us and we look forward adding JetBlue flights to and from Boston next year."
Seats on both Heathrow and Gatwick routes are on sale starting today with introductory prices for U.K.-based travelers at £329 for core and £999 for Mint.
More details about the route can be found on the jetBlue website.