As Today in the Sky reports, The FAA approved Jetblue’s application for four daily flights from Chicago-O’Hare, arrival authorizations at 8:30, two at 11, and 4. However, Jetblue must initiate service by October 28, and flight operations by January 27, 2007. Jetblue is likely to operate at least some of the flights to its Kennedy hub. The majority of the O’Hare flights go to LaGuardia, with only regional service available to Kennedy.
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However, it is likely American will upgrade its American Eagle regional service to a larger aircraft as soon as possible after the inauguration, and that United will move at least some service over from LaGuardia.
This news came as the final beam of JetBlue’s new Terminal 5 was put into place, as this press release notes. Construction of the 26-gate facility began last December and will open in 2009. It replaces the back end of the old TWA terminal. The front of the terminal was declared a historical landmark due to its architectural design. The rear had historical significance of its own, but the battle to preserve one of the two terminal wings was lost. However, the long tubular tunnels leading to them will now connect to the new construction.
The Terminal 5 project includes 26 gates capable of 250 daily flights, capacity for 20 million customers a year, a 1,500 space parking garage, and a new 635,000 square-foot terminal building.
Jetblue was also named Best U.S. Airline by Conde Nast Traveler Readers for the Fifth Year in a Row. Jetblue has only existed for six years. Perhaps in honor of all the celebration, they launched a three day countdown sale with fares as low as $49 from short-haul markets and $59-69 in medium-haul markets. The sale lasts until midnight Thursday for travel till December 15th.
