On January 15, JetBlue, the beleaguered airline, disclosed 15 flights from its Northeast hub. The airline had previously flown numerous. They include a return to New York JFK-Burbank and Newark-Los Angeles, which will assist reconstruct the network linking the country’s two most populated metro areas.
It also expanded its network to include five airports: Halifax, Norfolk, San Pedro Sula, Traverse City, and Wilmington (NC), none of which JetBlue has previously served. Its 15 upcoming linkages are significant for a variety of reasons, with several ranking among the shortest routes.
JetBlue’s new ten shortest routes
Using Cirium Diio data, the airline’s 2025 map (as of January 16) reveals the following shortest linkages. Three new routes: New York JFK to Hartford and Providence, and Boston to Islip. Connecting passengers will be critical, but so will slot-sitting, particularly with JFK’s increases.
The trio has replaced Boston-New York LaGuardia, New York JFK-Boston, and White Plains-Nantucket.
JetBlue’s shortest route is between San Juan and St. Thomas. It connects two US territories: Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. It has been serving it since 2011. Of course, St Thomas was previously a significant route from American’s San Juan hub, but flights were discontinued in 2013.
Four carriers now serve the short airport pair: Cape Air (Cessna 402), Frontier (A320neo), Silver Airways (ATR 42), and JetBlue (A320ceo). Silver Airways has received bankruptcy protection. Air Sunshine previously operated.
The great circle is used to represent all distances, and real-world actions may alter the order. JetBlue’s service from New York JFK to Washington Reagan, which ended in January 2024, did not make the list due to its length.
| Nautical miles | Route | Comments about JetBlue’s service |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | San Juan to St Thomas | Daily to twice daily A320ceo |
| 61 | Boston to Martha’s Vineyard | Daily summer seasonal A220-300 |
| 79 | Boston to Nantucket | Daily to twice daily summer seasonal E190 |
| 82 | San Juan to St Croix | Daily A320ceo |
| 92 | New York JFK to Hartford | Begins April 3; daily A320ceo. New to JetBlue’s network. The airport pair was last served by Delta Connection (Endeavor Air’s CRJ200s) in 2012 |
| 125 | New York JFK to Providence | Begins April 30; daily A320ceo. New to JetBlue’s network. Delta Connection (PSA’s CRJ200s) last served the airport pair in 2009. Want tickets? Get them here! |
| 133 | Boston to Islip | Begins on April 30; daily E190 and A220-300 (A220 from September). New to JetBlue’s network. The airport pair was last served by PenAir (and its Saab 340s) in 2014 |
| 135 | San Juan to Punta Cana | Double to triple daily A320ceo and A220-300 (A220 until April) |
| 150 | New York JFK to Martha’s Vineyard | Mainly double daily summer seasonal A220-300 |
| 158 | Fort Lauderdale to Nassau | Twice daily to four daily A320 and A220-300 (A220 from April) |
What about this former route?
Cirium data from JetBlue’s itineraries since 2004 reveals multiple short airport combinations. The shortest regularly served market was from New York JFK to Worcester, which helped bring passengers to Boston and Providence.
It was included on its map from May 2018 to June 2023, covering only 130 nautical miles each way. Prior to the pandemic, it ran every day, and it will double daily beginning in late 2021. In each case, the E190 was employed.
According to the US Department of Transportation, JetBlue transported 168,000 passengers and filled an astonishing 46% of seats.
Even in the months preceding the epidemic, the outcomes were awful, ranging from 37% to 56%. Approximately 70% of passengers linked to another flight at JFK. JetBlue’s new Providence and Hartford routes should perform better.