JetBlue Airways starts 2015 on solid footing as unit cost creep slows and domestic strategy works

Similar to other US airlines JetBlue Airways enjoyed a favourable financial performance in 4Q2014 and CY2014 driven in part by lower fuel prices that should continue in the short term. JetBlue is also joining the chorus of airlines that are stressing the lower fuel prices are in no way altering their business model planning or growth estimates.

As 2015 gets under way JetBlue characterises its outlook as stable, after the domestic market outperformed airline's international route network in CY2014. The airline is also seeing some easing of pressure created by capacity additions in the Caribbean and Latin America during the back half of 2014.

After years of cost creep, JetBlue is finally projecting favourable unit cost trends for 2015 excluding fuel as it estimates flat growth to a 2% rise, which is welcome change from the roughly 3.8% increase it recorded in CY2013 and the 3.2% growth for CY2014.