NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As New York’s Hometown Airline™, JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU) today announced it is further expanding its presence between the Empire State and California by launching daily non-stop service between Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The announcement was made today at the airport in Buffalo by JetBlue President and CEO Robin Hayes and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.
The new service begins Thursday, June 16, 2016 and will operate year-round. Seats are on sale beginning today with introductory fares starting at $99. Travel must be booked by 2/2/2016. (a)
JetBlue’s announcement comes as the airline prepares to mark the 16th anniversary of its first flight which departed from Buffalo. Today, JetBlue serves nine markets in California nonstop from New York, three times more than any other airline from the Empire State and when the new Buffalo-Los Angeles route takes off JetBlue will operate three dozen unique transcontinental routes. It will also be the only airline to operate a nonstop flight between upstate New York and California, bringing added convenience and value to customers in both regions.
“It’s a terrific day for both Buffalo and JetBlue,” said Robin Hayes president and CEO, JetBlue. “Connecting our inaugural JetBlue city in upstate New York to the West Coast with a nonstop flight further demonstrates our commitment to The Empire State and dedication to entering markets where our customers want us to fly.”
Today’s announcement reaffirms JetBlue’s commitment to New York and the eight airports it serves across the Empire State. In December JetBlue started service in Albany and last month added additional service from Syracuse. JetBlue also serves airports in Newburgh, Rochester, and Westchester County, as well as New York’s LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. From JetBlue’s largest base of operations at JFK’s award-winning Terminal 5 the airline operates non-stop flights to 70 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America.
“Beginning this summer, JetBlue will fly directly from Buffalo to Los Angeles and back,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “Los Angeles is the most frequent destination for travelers from Buffalo that does not already have a direct flight. In 2013, I asked JetBlue to add this flight, knowing it would be a game changer for regional tourism in Western New York, and I am now thrilled they have heeded our call. JetBlue continues to grow their presence and service within New York State, and I appreciate their commitment to this region. The addition of this flight will not only dramatically increase travel options for Buffalonians, it will also bring even more Canadian travelers through the Buffalo Niagara International Airport,” said Schumer. “Western New York residents will have access to new, low cost carrier flying in and out of their local airport. Buffalo will become a ‘welcome mat’ for visitors from LA and travelers from Canada, who will enjoy our top notch restaurants, hotels, and other tourist attractions during their trip.”
Buffalo Niagara International Airport, located 11 miles from downtown Buffalo and the U.S. side of the Niagara River, is the busiest airport in upstate New York. In addition to the Buffalo community, the airport is also an attractive gateway to some 2 million Canadian travelers who utilize the airport annually to benefit from lower taxes and more competitive fares to U.S. destinations.
"Since their inaugural flight in February of 2000, JetBlue has been has been a linchpin in the growth and success of our airport,” said William R. Vanecek, Buffalo Niagara International Airport Director of Aviation. “This new destination will continue to add momentum to their presence at the BNIA. This is the first time we’ve had nonstop service to the West Coast and I am confident that these Los Angeles flights will be popular not only with people in Western New York, but also very attractive to the thousands of Canadian customers that use our airport each month.”
Flight Schedule Between Buffalo (BUF) and Los Angeles (LAX)
Beginning
June 16, 2016
| BUF – LAX Flight #491 | LAX – BUF Flight #492 | ||
| 6:40 p.m. – 9:06 p.m. | 10:09 p.m. – 6:05 a.m. +1 | ||
“For the past 16 years JetBlue has been instrumental in the success and development of our airport,” said Howard A. Zemsky, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Chairman. “At that time Senator Schumer played a pivotal role in bringing JetBlue to Buffalo, and now once again, he has been influential in helping secure nonstop service to Los Angeles from our airport. I want to thank Senator Schumer and JetBlue for their unwavering commitment on behalf of the citizens of Buffalo Niagara.”
JetBlue will operate the route using its Airbus A320 aircraft offering the airline's award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach (b); free Fly-Fi, the fastest broadband internet in the sky; complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and soft drinks; free, live DIRECTV® programming and 100+ channels of SiriusXM® radio at every seat.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 35 million customers a year to 95 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 900 daily flights. For more information please visit jetblue.com.
(a) BLUE fare shown. To learn more about our new fare options, click here. Fares include government taxes and fees and must be purchased by 2/2/2016 (the earlier of 11:59 PM ET or local) for flights on 6/29/16 valid on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (all days except Friday and Sunday) between 6/16/16 – 6/29/16. All fares are subject to limited availability; may not be available on all days or all flights; may change without notice; must be purchased at time of reservation; and are one-way, non-stop (except as otherwise noted), nonrefundable, and nontransferable. A $25 fee per person applies to fares purchased by phone or at an airport or ticket office. Fares not available for purchase via Online Travel Agencies Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, Hotwire, CheapTickets, LowestFare or Priceline. Taxes and fees apply to Award Flights, are the responsibility of the passenger, and will vary based on your departure and destination cities. The amount of taxes and fees required for an Award Flight is listed next to the applicable point requirement and is subject to change as required by law. Click here for details on government taxes and carrier fees. Award Flight fares are one-way (unless otherwise indicated) and nonstop; point requirement and gov. taxes/carrier fees may be higher for roundtrip flights, for flights from destination city to origin city or for connecting itineraries. Proper documentation required for boarding. Checked Baggage Allowance/Fees: For Blue fares, first checked bag is $20 by web check-in and kiosk or $25 at check-in counter and second checked bag is $35. For Blue Plus, first checked bag is included and second checked bag is $35. For Blue Flex fares, two checked bags are included. For Blue and Blue Plus fares for flights to or from Santa Domingo, Santiago, Port-au-Prince, Port of Spain, Kingston, Cartagena, Medellin, Bogota, Lima and Mexico City: one checked bag is included and the second checked bag fee is $35. Additional Baggage Terms (all fares): Additional bags (over two) are $100 each. Weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights operated or marketed by other airlines also apply. Fares do not include fees for oversized, overweight or extra baggage or other fees for products/services sold separately. To view baggage fees and other optional services and fees, click here. Change/Cancellation Fees: All reservations made one week or more prior to a flight's departure may be cancelled without penalty up to 24 hours after the reservation is made. Changes and cancellations made 60 days or more prior to departure date: Blue: $70 per person fee plus difference in fare. Blue Plus: $60 per person fee plus difference in fare. Blue Flex: difference in fare only for changes. Changes and cancellations made less than 60 days from departure date: (i) Blue: fares under $100, $70 per person plus difference in fare; fares between $100 and $149.99, $90 per person plus difference in fare; and fares of $150 or more, $135 per person plus difference in fare. (ii) Blue Plus: fares under $100, $60 per person plus difference in fare; fares between $100 and $149.99, $80 per person plus difference in fare; and fares of $150 or more, $120 per person plus difference in fare. (iii) Blue Flex: difference in fare only. Additional Change/Cancellation Terms (all fares): For changes, there may be a fare adjustment. Cancellations receive JetBlue travel credit, valid for one year. Changes/cancellations must be made prior to scheduled departure (otherwise all money for fare is forfeited). For terms applicable to Getaways, Mosaic, and Mint changes/cancellations, click here. Other restrictions apply.
(b) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.
