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JetBlue unveils new route from Atlanta to Oakland


JetBlue said it would also increase service from Fort Lauderdale,…

By Philip Newman

The Forest Hills-based low-fare airline JetBlue Airways plans to start nonstop service from Atlanta to Oakland, Calif. in early September with an introductory one-way ticket as low as $79.

JetBlue said it would also increase service from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Washington, and Fort Lauderdale and Long Beach, Calif.

“It’s exciting to already announce a new destination from Atlanta, itself one of our newest destinations,” said Jet Blue Chairman David Neeleman. “And now JetBlue travelers in the San Francisco Bay area will have a fourth destination with nonstop service.”

Starting Sept. 9, JetBlue will start non-stop service from Atlanta to Oakland.

JetBlue plans to operate two daily flights on its route between Fort Lauderdale and Long Beach on Sept. 8 rather than just one. A third daily flight will be added later between Fort Lauderdale and Washington Dulles airport.

The airline said its introductory sale fare on the Atlanta-Oakland route would be $84 or $79 if booked at ww.jetblue.com. The sale fare requires a seven-day advance purchase and must be booked by Aug. 15 for travel from Sept. 8-30.

JetBlue also announced that its profits more than doubled in the second quarter compared with the second quarter of 2002.

“This was a great quarter for JetBlue,” Neeleman said. “We continued to demonstrate excellent cost control and solid operational performance.”

The airline reported earnings of $37.9 million, or 55 cents a share, in the second quarter, up from $14.6 million, or 22 cents a share, in the second quarter last year.

JetBlue operates a fleet of 45 new Airbus A320 jetliners and is scheduled to put into service another eight such jets by the end of this year. The airline recently ordered 100 Brazilian-made Embraer 190 jets with options for 100 more.

JetBlue airliners feature all-leather seats each equipped with live satellite television.

All fares are one-way and a Saturday night stay is never required.

Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.