JetBlue prides itself on being the airline of New York’s hometown, so much so that it even registered the catchy phrase as a trademark. But is the siren call of cheaper state-owned real estate enough to dissuade JetBlue from its roots in New York? Well, not exactly. However, the airline is looking at downsizing its headquarters in New York and relocating many of its employees in New York.
JetBlue wants to save and save office costs
JetBlue is currently located in Queens. About 1,300 JetBlue employees work there. According to a report by the New York Post by Noah Manskar, the lease on the office space expires in mid-2023. With far less cash now being dumped in JetBlue’s suitcases than is normally the case, JetBlue ‘explore a number of roads. ”
The airline of New York’s hometown recently celebrated its 21st birthday. JetBlue has grown to become one of the largest and most successful airlines in the United States since the beginning of 2000 with services to Buffalo and Fort Lauderdale. With the success, JetBlue expanded, innovated and received honors from the industry and its many passengers. But last year, JetBlue lost more than $ 1.3 billion in what CEO Robin Hayes called “a year like no other.”
JetBlue expects its revenue to decline by 61% to 64% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same quarter in 2019. The airline is currently experiencing an improvement in bookings, but describes the current demand as ‘hooked’. In this kind of environment, it is not surprising that JetBlue is considering its options.
In a memo distributed to JetBlue employees last week, JetBlue said;
‘We are investigating a number of avenues, including staying in Long Island City, moving to another area in New York City and / or relocating a certain number of headquarters roles to existing support centers in Florida.
‘We now have more rental options because larger vacancy rates have changed the economy; the role of the office and our space needs will develop in a hybrid work environment, and our own financial condition has been influenced by COVID-19. ”
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Move Employees to Florida Makes Meaning for JetBlue
To be clear, the memo does not say that JetBlue wants to move its headquarters from New York. However, it can find office space elsewhere in the city.
“Regardless of how we rebalance our footprint between New York and Florida, our commitment to New York remains strong., ”Said the memo.
But any possible rebalance could reduce the number of JetBlue headquarters staff in New York by moving them south to Florida.
There is logic in that, as Florida is a major JetBlue hub. In addition to the fact that JetBlue recently launched a large number of flights from Miami, it has long been in Fort Lauderdale, where it is one of the largest airports. JetBlue Travel Products is based in Fort Lauderdale, and the airline has a training center in nearby Orlando.
In addition to the 1,300 JetBlue employees currently in Queens, the airline has thousands of employees spread across the various airports to which they fly in New York State. Over time, that number could rise, according to the New York Post. This is because JetBlue intends to expand its services from LaGuardia and Kennedy airports. Perhaps the long-awaited and much-discussed service between JFK and Heathrow has been included in the expansion.
Simple Flying has approached JetBlue regarding possible moves from its New York headquarters. We have not heard before the deadline for publication.