JetBlue To Link Halifax & Boston with Daily Seasonal Service

The east coast cities of Halifax and Boston have nearly three centuries of shared history, along with robust trade ties. That bond will get a little stronger this summer with the announcement that New York-based carrier JetBlue will begin daily seasonal flights between Halifax and Boston in June.

 In a news release, the Halifax International Airport Authority described the new route as a “game-changing addition” to its roster of flights, providing “travellers with a swift and convenient link between two vibrant coastal cities and their flight network beyond.” 

JetBlue will use one of its new A220 aircraft with capacity for 140 passengers for the service. Thanks to a partnership with Canada’s Porter Airlines, passengers will be able to seamlessly book connecting flights on both airlines’ networks.

The news comes nearly three years after JetBlue made its first foray north of the border, with Vancouver flights offered from both Boston and New York City. 

“Almost since day one, both our customers and crew members have been asking us to add flights to the middle of the country and into Canada,” Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s head of revenue and planning, said at the time. “We can’t wait to shake up the status quo in these markets currently dominated by high-fare carriers.” 

Founded just before the turn of the century, JetBlue has quickly grown to become a major U.S. carrier with around 300 planes in its fleet. Initially modelled after Southwest, JetBlue operates with most of the features of a low-cost carrier – new, efficient aircraft, high aircraft utilization, point-to-point routes and no membership in a major airline alliance. 

 JetBlue’s business model differs however, as it offers more than one class of cabin, provides free in-flight entertainment and refreshments and has codeshare agreements with several other carriers. The airline flies to more than 100 destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe.  

Beginning June 26, JetBlue Flight 1831 will depart Boston daily at 8:45 pm, arriving Halifax at 11:24 pm. Return Flight 1828 from Halifax will depart at 7:00 am, arriving Boston at 7:27 am starting June 27.

In other Canada-related news from JetBlue, the airline says it will launch its Mint business class service to Canada for the first time on July 21. Mint will be available on daily flights from New York (JFK) to Vancouver (YVR). 

“Our customers repeatedly share their love for our award-winning Mint experience, which is why we’re excited to expand this unique, premium service to even more destinations,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue. 

“The JetBlue Mint experience is designed with customer-first, residential touches that seamlessly bring the comforts of home to the sky, including fully lie-flat seats, restaurant-quality dining, and thoughtful amenities. We are confident that customers in Phoenix, Vancouver, and San Juan will appreciate this elevated service and the expanded travel possibilities that come with it.”