JetBlue launch at ATL celebrates new partnership

Atlanta’s Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park and the famous Phoenix statue are featured in JetBlue’s commemorative poster by John Wilkinson. Photo by Gordon Gebert

By Anika Robertson
Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

Seeing blue? The hue was part of a lively scene March 30 at the International Terminal, as ATL officials welcomed JetBlue Airways’ inaugural flight from Boston with cheers and applause.

“Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a customer-centric airport,” said Airport Deputy General Manager Balram Bheodari. “And air service development is one of our core initiatives. Today, with the addition of JetBlue service to Atlanta, our customers will enjoy continued connectivity throughout the U.S. and strengthen our global position as the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.”

The New York-based air carrier now offers five nonstop, roundtrip flights daily between Atlanta and Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS).

Atlanta Fire Rescue trucks greeted and escorted the plane, an Airbus 320, to Gate F14 upon arrival. Flight 0397 passengers received an Atlanta-branded canvas bag filled with treats from both Boston and Atlanta.

The occasion featured an array of American cuisine and Southern bites, a live band and a JetBlue-meets-Atlanta tiered cake, electrifying the atmosphere for travelers and Airport staff alike.

David Clark, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning, said the JetBlue team is “absolutely thrilled” that Atlanta is the carrier’s 101st destination.

“This is a big day for JetBlue,” he said. “We had a lot of demand from our customers, business customers [and] leisure customers, saying, ‘JetBlue, you’ve got to serve Atlanta.’ It has been our most requested destination by both our customers and our crew members.”

ATL Travel Industry Engagement Manager TJ Jackson sees JetBlue’s return to Atlanta after 14 years as necessary to increase passenger service options.

“The airline adds to the diversity of our air service,” said Jackson, also an event organizer. “JetBlue is a viable partner in customer service and community outreach, and we look forward to these opportunities to work together.”

Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner of tourism with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, also welcomed “new friends” to Atlanta. “We look forward to sharing our Southern hospitality with you,” Langston said.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Marty St. George, JetBlue executive vice president of commercial and planning, unveiled a poster commemorating JetBlue’s arrival into Atlanta. It featured iconic city destinations.

To cement its partnership with ATL, JetBlue staff and Department of Aviation employees teamed up March 29 to mark “JetBlue For Good Day.” During the event, officials donated 500 age-appropriate books to College Park Elementary School students and read to 150 second-graders.