By Jace Moseley
JetBlue Adds New Seasonal Winter Routes
While some carriers dig into existing markets for travel demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, many carriers are exploring new routes in attempts to capture whatever demand for travel exists. Across the world, the most aggressive recent expansion has been seen by low- and ultra-low-cost carriers. JetBlue has broken this trend recently with numerous new route announcements and the airline is at it again.
The New York City-based airline has announced another batch of new routes, its third announcement in just over one month. JetBlue’s newest destination will be Montrose, Colo. and will be served from three of the airline’s main focus cities.
Like its previous destinations, the new destination is a leisure-based destination with plenty of outdoor activities. Montrose is one the closest large airports to the popular ski destination of Telluride, Colo. The famous ski resort is just 90 minutes from Montrose, providing customers alternatives to the sparsely served Telluride Regional Airport.
JetBlue will launch flights from its focus cities in Los Angeles, New York City and Boston on Dec. 19. Flights will operate on a seasonal basis with Boston seeing service until March 27, 2021. Los Angeles and New York City both see service stop on Feb. 20, 2021.
Unlike some flights, the routes will be served on select days of the weeks as well. Los Angeles and New York flights will operate on select Saturdays during the winter. Boston will be the most consistently connected focus city with flights operating every Saturday and some Wednesdays.
| Origin | Destination | Flight Times | Frequency |
| Boston | Montrose | 9:05 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. | Saturday & some Wednesdays |
| Montrose | Boston | 1:10 p.m. – 7:35 p.m. | Saturday & some Wednesdays |
| Los Angeles | Montrose | 10:30 am – 1:30 p.m | Some Saturdays |
| Montrose | Los Angeles | 2:20 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. | Some Saturdays |
| New York City | Montrose | 8:00 a.m. – 11:07 a.m. | Some Saturdays |
| Montrose | New York City | 12:00 p.m. – 6:07 p.m. | Some Saturdays |
Although the schedule stops on March 27, flights can continue past this date. March 27 marks the end of the International Air Transport Association 2020 winter season and is often used as a placeholder until future schedules are announced.
JetBlue’s Vice President of Network Planning Andrea Lusso said, “As we take a refreshed approach to evaluating new markets, it’s clear to us that travelers are increasingly looking for unique destinations where they can truly escape and enjoy wide open spaces.”
Flights will be operated by the airline’s Airbus A320 aircraft featuring either 150 or 162 seats in an all-economy configuration.
JetBlue becomes the second carrier to announce flights to Montrose starting this winter. Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines announced it would start flights to Montrose from Denver and Dallas.
Being from Seattle, Jace was bitten by the aviation bug at a young age and never outgrew it. Although none of his family is in the industry, he has always wanted to work in aviation in some capacity. He currently in college studying air traffic management.