JetBlue enters Philadelphia to compete against US Airways and fares plunge
Skift Take
Can JetBlue succeed on its Boston-Philadelphia route where other airlines have failed in competing against US Airways? Philadelphia is a US Airways hub, and that will make it tough-going for JetBlue.
With a water cannon salute on the airfield welcoming the first JetBlue Airways flight from Boston Thursday, the popular low-fare carrier treated Philadelphia passengers and guests to cheese steaks, a Mummers band, pretzels, Boston creme pie doughnuts, Bassetts ice cream and peanut chews.
The inaugural flight taxied to Gate E-4 at Philadelphia International Airport at 9:12 a.m. Two hours later, the Embraer-190 jet was scheduled to head back to Boston with 76 on board.
JetBlue, which will operate five daily nonstops to Boston, hopes to succeed where Southwest, AirTran and Delta Air Lines could not successfully compete against US Airways Group, which operates an international hub here and 20 nonstop weekday flights between Philadelphia and Boston.
US Airways has lately been the only carrier offering nonstop Boston service, after Southwest pulled the route in February. Airfares suddenly skyrocketed.
JetBlue's arrival has already sent ticket prices plunging.
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