JetBlue is selling $99 tickets so that people can escape Hurricane Irma (JBLU)

JetBlue

JetBlue is taking extraordinary measures to make evacuating from Hurricane Irma affordable for as many people as possible.

On Wednesday, the New York-based airline announced that it had discounted the price of non-stop flights out of Florida to $99 including tax. Connecting flights out of Florida will cost a bit more, at $159.

In addition to the destinations it serves in Florida, the $99 fares are applicable for Charleston International and Savannah/Hilton Head International. The fare cap will also cover select destinations in Haiti, the Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Bahamas.

Subject to availability, the $99 fares will be on sale through September 13.

JetBlue's decision to cap prices comes amid increasing consumer anger as airfares surge ahead of Irma's arrival. Fare prices out of Florida have increased exponentially this week, easily costing more than $1,000 for a one-way domestic flight.

JetBlue is also adding flights to its schedule in cities where it has spare aircraft able to operate them.

Parts of South Florida are now under mandatory evacuation orders.

Hurricane Irma and its 185 mph winds made landfall in the eastern Caribbean overnight, causing devastating wind damage and flooding along its path. St. Martin's famed Princess Juliana International Airport has seen many of its facilities severely damaged by the storm.

Here is JetBlue's complete statement.

"We are taking a number of steps to assist existing customers and support new reservations for those looking to evacuate:

• For existing reservations, JetBlue is waiving cancellation fees as well as waiving change fees and differences in air fare for rebooking. Details on these waivers can be found at https://www2.jetblue.com/JetblueAlerts/WeatherUpdate.aspx.
• We have added flights to our schedule out of select cities where we have aircraft available.
• For those looking to evacuate areas in the hurricane’s path, we are offering any remaining seats in select markets at a reduced fare of $99 - $159 including government taxes.

Additional information on fares:

Fares are for one-way direct flights with seat availability through Sept. 13 in select markets including Florida, SAV, CHS, PAP, PLS, POP, SDQ, PUJ, STI, LRM, HAV, SNU, CMW, HOG, NAS. Connecting flights from Florida are $159. We will update markets and dates available as the forecast changes if needed."

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