NEW YORK, April 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) reported today that its traffic in March increased 24.2 percent from March 2005, on a capacity increase of 29.1 percent.

Load factor for March 2006 was 86.5 percent, a decrease of 3.5 points from March 2005. JetBlue's preliminary completion factor was 99.9 percent and its on-time(1) performance was 77.9 percent.



JETBLUE AIRWAYS TRAFFIC RESULTS

March 2006 March 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger
miles (000) 2,059,294 1,657,539 24.2
Available seat miles (000) 2,379,547 1,842,700 29.1
Load factor 86.5% 90.0% (3.5) pts.

Revenue passengers 1,630,755 1,285,423 26.9
Departures 12,635 9,235 36.8

Y-T-D 2006 Y-T-D 2005 % Change
Revenue passenger
miles (000) 5,536,019 4,434,528 24.8
Available seat miles (000) 6,576,514 5,168,653 27.2
Load factor 84.2% 85.8% (1.6) pts.
Revenue passengers 4,334,919 3,400,086 27.5
Departures 34,417 25,637 34.2


SOURCE: JetBlue Airways Corporation
In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 35 destinations with more than 410 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming(2), the most live TV available on any airline. On flights longer than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight(tm) is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin' Donuts coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars. On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service, with a Shut-Eye Kit(tm) designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a "good morning" hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.

(1) The U.S. Department of Transportation considers on-time arrivals to be those domestic flights arriving within 14 minutes of schedule.

(2) DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights to/from Bermuda, Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic; however, where applicable FOX InFlight is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.

The JetBlue logo is available at:http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=795

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including without limitation, our extremely competitive industry, increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates, our ability to implement our growth strategy including the integration of the EMBRAER 190 aircraft into our operations, our significant fixed obligations, our ability to maintain our culture as we grow, our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization, our dependence on the New York metropolitan market, our reliance on automated systems and technology, our reliance on sole suppliers, additional government regulation and changes in our industry due to financial condition and external geopolitical conditions. Information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

CONTACT: JetBlue Airways Corporation
Investor Relations
Cindy England
(203) 656-7608
[email protected]
Corporate Communications
(718) 709-3089
[email protected]

 

Decent growth, good load factors, losing money. Looks as though JB has arrived in the big leagues.