JetBlue Airways Corp has recently launched transatlantic flights between London and New York in plans to capture market share with low ticket fares and lead the recovery on what is one of the world's busiest and most sought international routes.

Transatlantic travel continues to be partially closed as the U.S. and is still not permitting many travelers from Britain into the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone travelers that enter, including U.S. citizens, must show a negative report of the COVID-19 test. Whereas, the U.K. opened only for fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier in August.

But New York-based JetBlue forged ahead with the launch of its daily service from JFK Airport to Heathrow, relying on its new Airbus A321LR jets, which are a longer-range edition of the A321neo, to bolster profits.

Fares for JetBlue's Mint class featuring 24 lie-flat private business class suites will start at USD 1,979 and 999 pounds, considerably affordable than traditional prices by competitors, while round trip economy fares will start at USD 599 for U.S. travelers.

JetBlue CEO, Robin Hayes, before the first departure at JFK, mentioned that the launch was already impelling a price war, with prices between London and New York declining since its flights went on sale.

Meanwhile, UK-based British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are contending to keep revenue flowing amid the pandemic as unlike U.S. competitors Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines, they do not have a huge, promising domestic market to turn to.

JetBlue intends to add flights to Gatwick in London by the end of September and between London and Boston next year. It was affected more than the other U.S. airlines amid the pandemic as its hub airports were greatly impacted by lockdowns.

The airline, however, has witnessed an increase in revenues with the easing of domestic COVID-19 restrictions. It expects its London service to provide a further push and that it will prosper better than other economical carriers that have tried and failed to capitalize on the transatlantic route in the past.

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https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/jetblue-launches-first-london-flight-despite-lingering-pandemic-2587612