Long Beach Airport: slots change & JetBlue’s loyalty wanes

JetBlue has historically had a favourable relationship with the airport at Long Beach, which has long been a focus city for the airline. But during the past couple of years that positive partnership has changed, after JetBlue unsuccessfully attempted to launch international flights from Long Beach.

Now JetBlue has relinquished 10 slots at the airport after the Long Beach city council altered the utilisation rates of slots at the airport. The airline will maintain 24 slots; the 10 it has given back will be allocated to Southwest and Delta Air Lines.

JetBlue has added some services to Burbank and Ontario International, two airports that also serve the Los Angeles basin. Even with the return of slots, JetBlue will remain the dominant airline at Long Beach, but the airport's stature within the airline's network is arguably permanently diminished.