More Cuts: JetBlue Abruptly Drops 2 Cross-Country Routes & Will Close New York Crew Bases


JetBlue Airways is making changes to its operation at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). In what it calls “targeted schedule adjustments,” the carrier has already canceled transcontinental Mint service to Las Vegas, with Los Angeles to follow early next year.

Along with the route cuts, JetBlue will close its crew and Tech Ops bases at EWR and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the coming months. The additional capacity from the dropped routes, however, positions the airline to reinstate another cross-country route after a 22-month hiatus.

JetBlue Bids Farewell To Los Angeles & Las Vegas From Newark

JetBlue Airbus A321 taking off in Phoenix Credit: Shutterstock

Aviation watchdog JonNYC was the first to report the development on Wednesday. According to aviation analytics and data provider Cirium, JetBlue ceased its twice-daily operation between EWR and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) last week on June 10. The removal represents a loss of over 13,000 seats compared to last month. At 60 frequencies in each direction, the airline offered a total of 19,080 seats on the route in May. This month, only 6,042 seats were offered across 38 frequencies.

Between EWR and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the service will last a bit longer – indicating that JetBlue expects demand to continue through the remainder of the year. The carrier is currently operating twice-daily flights scheduled in both directions and will continue to do so through January 4, 2027, before axing the route entirely. It is not clear whether the route will be put on hiatus or dropped indefinitely. It does, however, mark the second time in six years that JetBlue has removed it from its schedule. The first occurrence was in October 2024, but it returned in April of last year.

While EWR allows JetBlue to fortify its presence in the New York City area, the airport’s “high-cost” has forced it to keep a close eye on which routes are profitable. Just last month, the airline admitted that it has “to be disciplined about where” it flies and which markets “can make money over the long term.”

Less than two months before JetBlue cancels EWR-LAX again, flights between Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) will be reintroduced. The airline confirmed the route developments in a statement to Simple Flying on Wednesday.

“JetBlue is making targeted schedule adjustments, ending seasonal service between Newark (EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX) and Las Vegas (LAS), to support growth in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. This growth includes new and additional Mint flying from Fort Lauderdale to the West Coast as we grow in South Florida after Spirit’s exit from the market.”

Mint Service Between Fort Lauderdale & San Diego Returns After 22 Months

JetBlue Airbus A321 N905JB landing in Boston Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The last time JetBlue flew between FLL and SAN was in January 2025, data shows. The route will be reinstated on November 19. Westbound, flight 529 is scheduled to depart at 7:00 AM and arrive in San Diego just before 9:45 AM. The eastbound journey, flight 532, will leave SAN at 11:00 AM and is scheduled to land at FLL around 7:00 PM.

Flight Number

Origin

Departure Time

Destination

Arrival Time

Duration

Equipment

B6 529

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

7:00 AM

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

9:39 AM

5 hours, 39 minutes

Airbus A321

B6 532

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

11:00 AM

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

6:55 PM

4 hours, 55 minutes

As the only carrier flying the route, the service is currently scheduled to operate indefinitely. It also comes amid JetBlue’s hyperfocus on further growth at FLL following Spirit Airlines’ collapse. Simple Flying previously reported that the airline is highly considering building a new lounge at the airport.

“We continue to see significant opportunity to expand service in our Fort Lauderdale focus city, where customers know and love the JetBlue experience,” it explained.

JetBlue A220 at the gate

JetBlue Selects Fort Lauderdale For New Airbus A220 Base Opening In January 2027

JetBlue is rapidly transforming Fort Lauderdale into its largest Airbus A220 growth hub.

Closing Newark & LaGuardia’s Bases

JetBlue Airbus A321 new Mint livery Credit: JetBlue Airways

Amid schedule adjustments and a downsized presence at EWR, JetBlue will close its crew and Tech Ops base. The carrier confirmed that it will shut down “this fall” as a result of the “operational footprint needed to support” its operation in the future. In addition to EWR, the airline will also shutter its Tech Ops base at LGA later this year.

Any crew members affected by the closures will not face unemployment, according to the airline. Instead, they will have the opportunity to bid or transfer to other bases within its network.

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