JetBlue’s new routes from Manchester take off in January

JetBlue is coming to Manchester next year. 

The airline announced Wednesday it is launching service out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport starting Jan. 23, 2025, with a daily, year-round flight to Orlando, seasonal service to Fort Myers three times a week, and seasonal flights to Fort Lauderdale four times per week.

“We are incredibly proud of our strong roots in Boston and New England, a place that has always embraced our vision for low fares and superior travel experiences,” JetBlue President Marty St. George said in a statement. 

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MSP) has seen a number of new airlines recently. Services with Breeze Airways began in June, offering nonstop, twice-weekly flights to Charleston International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Southwest Florida International Airport, as well as a one stop/no change of plane service to Tampa International Airport. Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines will begin service in August, offering the only nonstop flight from New Hampshire to Minnesota. 

“Sun Country’s route to MSP is a highly requested route and is an easy nonstop flight for Granite Staters to reach the natural beauty that can be found in the Twin Cities,” said Manchester Airport Director Ted Kitchens. 

The expansion at Manchester comes as many budget airlines are upending their business models due to increased costs. In January, a federal judge blocked JetBlue’s planned $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines. In June, JetBlue announced cost saving measures to drop five cities and cut 16 routes.

“We are seeing the effects of a new business cycle in the airline industry led by new and expanding ultra low cost carriers, like Avelo, Breeze and Spirit,” said Thomas Malafronte, the deputy airport director at Manchester. 

Southwest Airlines, which has been part of Manchester since 1998, announced last Thursday the end of its open-seating policy, a 50-year tradition of letting passengers choose their seats.

“There have also been a number of changes in business strategies employed by the low-cost carrier group,” Malafronte said. “New, low fares being introduced to popular destinations has also led the legacy carriers like American and United to take note and adjust their fares as necessary to keep the seats full while managing to their bottom line.” 

JetBlue is also expanding at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. It will begin operating a second daily nonstop flight between Boston and Phoenix and will bring the premium Mint service to all Phoenix flights from Boston.

Malafronte said it takes several years to launch a new carrier at the airport. 

“It requires open communications and regular meetings where data can be shared to demonstrate the viability of the market and appropriate connection between the airlines’ business strategy and the wants and needs from the community,” he said.