Won't You (Go to) Charleston with Me? JetBlue Airways to Launch Service to South Carolina's Colonial Seaport City

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced it will launch nonstop service to the historic southern port of Charleston, the first South Carolina destination offered by the high-value carrier. JetBlue will serve Charleston International Airport (CHS) with twice daily nonstop service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and one daily flight to Boston's Logan (BOS) beginning Thursday, February 28, 2013.

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"JetBlue is pleased to introduce a new class of in-flight service to the Charleston community, complete with upscale offerings like assigned, all-leather seating with the most legroom in coach, free live television at every seatback and a free first checked bag," said JetBlue's President and CEO, Dave Barger.  "We are pleased to welcome South Carolina into our growing route network, and we believe the addition of the region's only full-size jet service to the Northeast will foster even more loyal fans of JetBlue throughout the state."

"I'm excited that Charleston will be the newest stop for JetBlue and that more Americans will have a new low-cost option to visit and do business in one of the greatest destinations in the world," said U.S. Senator Jim DeMint.

"This is great news for those who want to visit Charleston, one of the premier tourist destinations in the world," said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. "I made it clear in my conversations with JetBlue that not only is Charleston a wonderful destination, it is also a great place to do business.  JetBlue's decision to come to Charleston is a win-win for the local community and the company.  We are all very happy to welcome them to Charleston."

"This is great news for Charleston and the entire Lowcountry," said U.S. Rep. Tim Scott. "The historic streets of the Holy City have attracted visitors for generations, and our world class beaches, golf courses and restaurants offer an experience you just can't get anywhere else. We look forward to welcoming more folks down to Charleston on JetBlue for some good old fashioned Southern hospitality, be it for a business trip or family vacation."

"The city and the carrier are such a logical fit," said Joel Antolini, Senior Vice President of Seabury Airline Planning Group. "As always, the JetBlue team was great to work with in the market exploration process, and when we laid the story out to them they quickly grasped the power and benefits of combining two premier brands like Charleston and JetBlue.  The market is going to eat this service up."

JetBlue's flights from Charleston will be operated with its 100-seat Embraer E190 fleet complete with award-winning service; convenient, assigned, comfy leather seating (with no middle seat); a first-checked bag free (a); more than 140 channels of complimentary live television and radio on personal seatback screens (b); and more legroom than any other carrier in coach (c). The airline, well-known for its superior and personable customer service, also offers a free and unlimited assortment of name brand snacks and drinks for the ride.

About JetBlue Airways 

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ with other focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch) as well as super-spacious Even More Space seats. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 71 cities with 700 daily flights and plans to launch service to Providence, Rhode Island, as well as Cartagena, Colombia; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Samana, Dominican Republic this November, subject to receipt of government approval. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information call +1 800-538-2583 (TTY/TDD +1 800-336-5530) from the USA, or visit www.jetblue.com.

(a)  Weight and size limits apply.  Bag fee may apply to itineraries including flights operated or marketed by other airlines. 

(b)  Live satellite TV and radio programming is not available on flights outside the continental U.S.

(c) JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines. 

SOURCE JetBlue Airways