JetBlue Blog

I’ve been on the road (and in the sky) with JetBlue’s 10th J.D. Power award for the past seven weeks, and we’ve already visited half of our 87 BlueCities! Traveling to a different city every day has been both hectic and exciting. In addition to meeting so many enthusiastic and hospitable JetBlue crewmembers, I’ve also learned a thing or two about how to pack like a champ! Since I’ve been traveling with just one carry-on bag, people often ask me, “How can you pack clothing for three months in one carry-on?” Here are a few packing tricks that have been helpful.

Take a load off. I pack enough clothes for one week, and then do laundry at my hotel. Next time you book a hotel, research if it has a guest laundry service. You’ll be surprised by how many hotels offer this service – I certainly was!

Organize. I’ve purchased compression packing bags. I organize one or two outfits by bag, so that I only have to open the bag that has the clothes I need. You may also consider using packing cubes. Packing cubes are space saving zipped bags that can be used to organize the items in your suitcase. They come in different shapes. My suggestion is to assign one bag for each item (one bag for pants, one bag for shirts, etc.). This makes it easier to find items fast, without having to unfold each item of clothing in your suitcase. Your bag will begin to look just like a Tetris game!

Color coordinate. When packing, take into consideration the color of your clothes. I try to bring clothes that are of the following colors: blue, brown, pink and gray. With these colors, I can pair any of my pants with any of my shirts and it gives the impression I have many more outfits than I actually do.

Ship it. I’m not a big souvenir buyer, but sometimes I find something that I would like to have as a keepsake of my trip. To save space in my bag, I usually ship it home. However, when traveling to places far away from home, shipping can be costly. In this case, rethink the purchase – do you really have room in your suitcase for that oversized indigenous coconut mask?

Transformers. Pack items that can serve several purposes. I have a black scarf that can be used as a beach dress, a shawl with an evening dress or a blanket on the plane. Also, pack sneakers that can be used for staying comfortable while seeing the sites as well as while running on that hotel treadmill.

Now you are ready to pack a small bag and hit the road!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll travel to 39 more BlueCities and I look forward to sharing more experiences with you along the way. This journey has been a celebration of JetBlue’s award-winning service and I’ve been so impressed with the crewmembers I’ve met. They truly care about our customers and each other.

Bonus Tip:

Take Note. Pack a pen. This is a simple time saver. When traveling to international destinations, you’ll be ready to complete your forms onboard and accelerate the screening process upon arrival.

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– JetBlue Adds Extra Flights Between Boston and Phoenix –

– Customers In the Air During Game Time Can Watch it Live (a) From Their Seat With Complimentary Snacks –

BOSTON (January 19, 2015) – JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU), Boston’s largest carrier, today announced it is kicking off extra flights between Boston and Phoenix to give New England’s biggest fans more options to make it to the big game.

JetBlue has added additional flights between Phoenix (PHX) and Boston (BOS), increasing capacity to its already sold out schedule. In addition to its normal schedule of daily BOS-PHX service, seats are now available on the below new flights:

Traveling on Game Day?

Customers traveling domestically on game day don’t have to miss out on the action, or the halftime show. With the most legroom of any airline in coach (b), in-seat LiveTV for every customer, complimentary game day snacks and free Fly-Fi high-speed internet, football fans watching the game on board can do so with the same comfort as their own home.

Every JetBlue seat features free live entertainment (a) with the most extensive sports programming in the sky. JetBlue airs more channels of free sports on-board than any other domestic airline. The line-up includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, NBC Sports, Fox Sports 1 and NFL Network.

“As New England’s largest airline, we are excited to see our local team make a return trip to the big game. We’re ready to get more fans to Phoenix to support their hometown team” said Marty St George, senior vice president, commercial. “With free live TV at every seat on every flight, JetBlue customers will be able to follow every play (and every commercial) on game day. What better way is there to watch the game than sitting comfortably at 30,000 feet, with your own personal TV screen, the most legroom of any airline, free unlimited snacks and award-winning service?”

(a)  Live satellite TV and radio programming is not available on flights outside the contiguous U.S. 

(b)  JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach, based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.

For the past 30 days, I’ve  traveled to 32 cities in 17 states – from Burlington to California – to visit our JetBlue crewmembers and celebrate our 10^th J.D. Power Award for customer satisfaction. It’s been the most hectic and enjoyable experience of my life! Our crewmembers work hard to provide exceptional customer service every day, and they deserve to spend time with this prestigious award! And I’m proud to be the one to bring it to them.

When I travel to these cities and talk to crewmember, strangers become friends.  As I look back to the places I’ve been, it’s a blur of airports, hotels, and taxi rides.  However, I’ll never forget the lessons I’ve learned by getting to know strangers. Visiting one city a day has made it easier to distinguish what’s unique about the places where JetBlue flies. Each city has a special identity and culture– defined by things like skylines, landscapes, food, weather, and even accents!

In San Jose, CA, I learned to be mindful of my contributions to the environment.  Crewmembers taught me to carry my BPA free (toxic free) water bottle and to re-fill it at the water fountain.  Back home I’m guilty of using a paper cup every time I drink water!

In Austin, TX, I learned you don’t need plates to eat good family-style BBQ.  We dined at a delicious BBQ restaurant and instead of plates we received sheets of wax paper for our brisket, ribs, and potatoes.  We sat on picnic tables while enjoying delicious food and even better company. You don’t need a fancy place to enjoy a hearty delicious meal.

In Providence, RI, I learned you don’t have to be a big city to have a lot to offer.  The food scene in Providence is surprisingly diverse – with Italian, Dominican, and Portuguese influences making even a simple breakfast an explosion of flavors. I never thought eating chorizo on Portuguese sweet bread could make such an amazing first meal of the day!

In Burlington, VT, I learned any object can have a second life by upcycling.  Artists in Vermont utilize vintage maple spout taps and residue wood to create beautiful pieces of art.

In Buffalo, NY I learned a lot of snow doesn’t have to ruin your plans for the day. You can wear a coat and boots, and still go about your day and enjoy the best Buffalo wings anywhere.

Detroit, MI, taught me not to believe everything I hear about a city.  I was pleased to experience the Detroit renaissance and experience the pride and optimism of its people .

In Pittsburgh, PA, I learned about Andy Warhol’s influence on pop culture – or vice versa –  it’s debatable!.  Art wakes up our creativity and reminds us of the importance of self-expression.

Each of the cities I have visited has been a special experience for me.  Watching the architectural wonders (Golden Gate Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge), savoring the local food (Boston clam chowder, Tampa Cuban sandwich), and reading about the history of each city has helped me understand more about them.  However, the best way to get to know the “soul” of the places you visit is by talking to the locals. This country is a vibrant mosaic of wonderful people from which I’ve enriched my cultural IQ.

Next up I’ll visit our international cities which I know will allow me the opportunity to learn about so many places I’ve only dreamed of visiting.  I look forward to spending time with our crewmembers and business partners there. After all, they are the ambassadors for their BlueCities and the cultural DNA of  the JetBlue identity.

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We are proud to have our very own Director of Corporate Social Responsibility featured along with National Geographic’s VP Content- Education and Children’s Media, Jennifer Emmet  and Nook’s Chief Bookseller James Mustich  in a MediaPlanet Roundtable discussion on the changing face of literacy in the U.S. Presented here is her portion  of the conversation with MediaPlanet.

Mediaplanet: How can we utilize advances in technology to promote literacy?

Icema D. Gibbs: Technology is the next frontier for on-the-go engagement. As a partner to several educational entities, we’re able to help them with resources to meet our joint literacy goals. For example, we partner with Random House Children’s Books for our annual Soar with Reading initiative which encourages reading during the summer months. We recently introduced an app to the program, allowing us to enhance the reading experience beyond physical books with digital games and activities that appeal to children.

MP: What are some creative/unexpected ways to foster a love of learning in young children?

IG: You wouldn’t necessarily align an airline with literacy. However, during focus groups and research our customer and crewmembers shared that education is important to them and should be for the brands they support. Our Soar with Reading program provides age-appropriate books to children in underserved areas. We introduce reading in unique ways to our customers and communities. Not only do we provide activities and resources, we engage our customers at all customer touch points including in the community and via our website and inflight entertainment to join us in donating books to kids in need.

As an airline, we actively support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education starting at the grade-school level through the JetBlue Foundation. Tying reading into the world of aviation often lights a spark in young students. After all, reading is at the core of academic success including STEM education.

MP: How have you witnessed literacy efforts change over the past 5 years?

IG: There have been steep declines in literacy. With some reports showing that 33 percent of fourth graders are only reading at or below grade level, access to books is vital. There is a deficit in access to age-appropriate books in poor neighborhoods, with only one book for every 300 children, compared to 13 such books per child in middle-income neighborhood. To help increase access, JetBlue has donated nearly $1 million worth of books, in collaboration with our partners including First Book. Used for educational purposes, technology also makes everything relevant in real-time for students. It is important to utilize these resources in the classroom beyond traditional books.

We are also seeking help from experts in the field to help move the needle and increase access. We commissioned a study in partnership with Dr. Susan B. Neuman, PhD, a specialist in early literacy development whose research includes reading instruction for children living in poverty. She is helping us to dig deeper into the statistics and develop a plan that will really make an impact on literacy in US.

MP: What is the optimal age for literacy acquisition, and what course of action do you suggest to take advantage of that prime learning window?

IG: As a corporate supporter, our education partners have reiterated a need for resources and age-appropriate books. Studies show that children that are read to from the beginning have increased vocabulary and are more successful in school. It is never too early to push literacy. With the nation’s recent report cards reflecting stagnant reading scores for high school seniors, we created our Soar with Reading to encourage and share the gift of reading starting at the pre- and grade-school levels. Education and access to age-appropriate books is very important in building a strong foundation. This includes engaging students through means that they are currently using, including apps and other technology advancements.

MP: How can we make the love of reading a family affair?

IG: The Soar with Reading program was created as a family affair to encourage reading and help children’s imaginations take flight. Soar with Reading provides books to help maintain the knowledge base student’s built during the school year. A great way do this is with the support of family members. We encourage parents to read with their children wherever they are – at the grocery, in the airport, on the bus, it all makes a difference. We also provide interactive resources for the entire family and we also bring literacy to life with free reading events in JetBlue cities throughout the summer.

Traveling can be a stressful, specially for the holidays.  After traveling to 30 airports in 30 days, visited 14 States, and stayed 26 nights at different hotels I gathered info that will be useful the next time you travel.  I asked flight attendants, hotel staff, and airline employees for some pointers, and now I’m sharing the advice that has been helpful to me.

Go nuts, before starting your journey get a bag of nuts or trail mix in your carry on. I arrive early to the airport, and between the line at security, and waiting for my flight I get the munchies. This tip also saves you cash, since it can be expensive to purchase food at the airport.

Stay charged, if you’re renting a car at your destination bring a lighter adapter for your phone.

No surprises, when traveling internationally call your credit cards and ask if they charge international transaction fees.

Counting bags, this is a trick my mom taught me actually.  Count your items: 1. Carry-on bag, 2. Laptop bag, 3. Coat.  Now you will know how many things you are carrying with you and it’s less likely you will leave something behind at the terminal or the plane.

Double take, when standing up from your seat take a second to look back and make sure you didn’t leave a phone, charger or your Harry Potter scarf behind.

 It socks! Nobody looks forward to the experience of going through security at the airport. The shoes, liquid rules, X-ray vision, and it smells like feet.  Here are some suggestions to make it better. Loose the boots or sandals, wear socks (so you don’t have to walk barefoot through the germicidal floor when you walk through).  Wear shoes or sneakers you can take off and put on without any zippers or laces. I preffer canvas shoes, they are light and comfy.

Overall a positive attitude helps us get through the not so fun portions of traveling.  Happy travels everybody!

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As we get ready to tick over into 2015, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for an amazing year past, and an even more exciting year to come!

Tis the season for a lot of travelers moving around our network! So whether you’re heading out for family festivities, returning from a Hanukkah holiday, planning for a new year of new destinations, or simply are happy settling in for a relaxing remainder of the winter, from our family to yours, Happy Holidays.

For the next 90 days, I’ll travel to all 87 cities that JetBlue flies to (BlueCities).  Why? JetBlue is celebrating, a well-deserved, 10^th consecutive J.D. Power Award for customer satisfaction.  My job (if I can even call it a job as I’m having the best time of my life) is to travel with the J.D. Power #10 trophy to all BlueCities, and celebrate this accomplishment with my fellow Crewmembers.

Today is day 18, and I’ve visited 18 BlueCities.  When I arrive, Crewmembers are excited to see the J.D. Power Award, hold it, and take pictures.  As a JetBlue Crewmember myself, I find the best part of this job is to get to know my peers, and celebrate one of our greatest accomplishments together.  When we start talking, immediately they ask: How did you land the best job in the world?  I naturally tell them the story, and now I’ll reveal to you how it all happened.  It was very American Idol… just kidding!

A day in October of this year an email was sent out notifying all Airports Crewmembers of a 90 day special assignment.  The job description included 100% travel. That sounded right up my alley since I just turned 31, and I enjoy traveling more than anything else in the world.   It was the opportunity of a lifetime.   I sent my cover letter and resume.  Surprisingly, I received a call the following week, and after several phone interviews something special happened.  On Halloween, I was dressed as Darth Vader giving away candy to the neighborhood kids. Suddenly, I received an email that read the next step was an interview in person.  I was ecstatic! I started jumping up and down in excitement, and giving an outrageous amount of candy to the trick-or-treaters (it was the good candy too!).

The big day came when I had to prove I could really do this.  Oh the nervousness! I could feel the sweat go down my back.  I wore my lucky gray suit, and I tried not to trip on my heels going up the steps.  I managed to get into the conference room without needing one of those “air sickness bags.”  I worked up my courage and gave it all I had.  After 40 minutes, I left the building unceremoniously.

A few days later, I received a call on my cell phone from an unknown number, I almost left it go to voicemail.  Little did I know that was the call that changed my life. When they told me I got the job, I could not stop smiling.  I looked as if I had slept with a clothes hangar in my mouth the night before.  I had 3 weeks to pack my bags, give specific instructions to my neighbor on how to water my cactus, and I was out the door.

This journey has just begun, and I want to share it with you.  Keep following JD’s adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter on BlueCityReport, and share this amazing experience with us.

I would not have the best job in the world if it wasn’t for the award winning customer service our JetBlue Crewmembers provide every day.  I have seen firsthand how dedicated they are to serve our customers, and genuinely help them get to where they need to be.  I’m honored to carry this 10^th J.D. Power Award because it’s the symbol of how our Crewmembers’ daily hard work pays off.

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Women have historically been underrepresented in the field of aviation. Currently only  4% of commercial pilots are women. While we’re proud that our own representative number of female pilots is higher at 5+%, we know there’s a lot of room to increase the representation of women in the cockpit. JetBlue regularly sponsors the Women in Aviation organization and is well represented at their events. Recognizing the importance of getting children involved in aviation early on, we recently formed the JetBlue Foundation to help bridge this gap. We also know how much children seeing and learning from representative pilots, so with that in mind, we’d like to present you with just one notable flight pairing we saw on the line recently.

JetBlue pilots Pia and Anna-Maria Kymalainen grew up in an aviation family in Finland. With their father in aeronautical engineering and an older brother following in their father’s footsteps, the aspiration of flight was always close to home. Both sisters began their own careers flying corporate jets before finding their place here at JetBlue – Pia as an A320 Captain and Anna-Maria as First Officer.

It was a long time goal for both sisters to fly together and that dream recently came true. The women recently operated flight 1480 from FLL to DCA making them the first ever sister-sister flight crew at JetBlue!

Pia began her aviation career flying freight and corporate jets before joining JetBlue nine years ago. While, Anna-Maria followed her big sister’s lead and also began flying corporate jets seven years ago until finding her home at JetBlue three years ago.

We love to see women like Pia and Anna-Maria showing young women that there are opportunities for them across all aspects of the aviation industry, and are proud of the work the JetBlue Foundation does in working to increase the number of women in the pilot ranks. In 2013, we created the JetBlue Foundation as a way to encourage and advance careers in aviation, specifically among underserved communities including women. The JetBlue Foundation provides learning opportunities for underserved groups by working hand-in-hand with local and national education institutions that support and foster aviation-related programs. On December 17, the JetBlue Foundation will host its second annual grant presentations for programs focused on encouraging aviation careers among women, people of color, veterans and other underserved groups. For more information on the JetBlue Foundation, visit www.jetblue.com/InspiringHumanity.