Budget airline scraps cheap flight to the US after just three years
A CHEAP flight route from the UK to the US is being scrapped next year, despite only launching three years ago.
Budget airline JetBlue confirmed that they would be stopping the London Gatwick to New York route from next summer.
Having launched in 2021, the airline already reduced the route back in August.
Rather than operate all year round, the routes became seasonal and only operated during the summer.
However, it has since confirmed that the route will be axed entirely in 2025.
The airline said the end of the route was to “better align with anticipated demand”.
JetBlue was already competing with a number of airlines offering the same London Gatwick-New York route.
Along with new Delta flights last summer, British Airways and Norse Atlantic also offered the same route (although BA has since suspended the route until March 2025).
Passengers who have already booked these flights will be offered a full refund, or they can fly from London Heathrow instead.
JetBlue also confirmed that their London Heathrow-New York flight will continue twice a day.
And their daily London Heathrow to Boston route will also remain unaffected.
The airline said: “We will continue to provide non-stop summer seasonal service to Gatwick from our Boston focus city.
“As we focus on using our limited aircraft on routes that offer the most opportunity, JetBlue will continue to provide twice-daily service from JFK to London Heathrow and once daily service from Boston to Heathrow.”
The Gatwick-New York JetBlue flight was one of the cheapest options, with round trips found for just over £300.
Back in May, JetBlue also launched new flights from Edinburgh to New York.
And the airline even reintroduced free carry on luggage for economy passengers earlier this year.
“Carry-on bags are an important piece of travel to customers, and when presented with a choice between JetBlue’s award-winning service and another carrier’s basic offering, we want JetBlue to be the easy winner,” JetBlue’s President Marty St. George said in a statement.
The Sun’s Stewart Jackson recently tried JetBlue’s UK flight route.
He said: “As a hulking 6ft 2in Northerner, plane seats, especially the budget kind, can be a painful experience.
“In JetBlue’s Core seats (their name for economy), I had generous legroom and an adjustable headrest – and I slept, which is a rarity for me.
“There is even free wifi for everyone, even in economy, enabling you to browse the web, check your social media or send a few work emails once you’re safely in the air.”
He also revealed what to expect from their Mint class, a step up from economy.
He continued: “The seat has three-way adjustability and extends to a lie-flat bed measuring 6ft 8in, with a sliding door for privacy ensure.
“Each passenger can build their own meal by choosing from several “small plates” by New York-based Delicious Hospitality Group – I recommend the lamb curry followed by vanilla gelato with lemon marmalata and pistachio crunch.”