Vermont’s congressional delegation want JetBlue service restored | Airlines

Vermont’s congressional delegation is not content to let JetBlue’s decision to pull out of Burlington stand.

Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Peter Welch, D-Vermont, and Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vermont, sent a letter to JetBlue Chief Executive Officer Robin Hayes on Monday, urging him to reconsider the decision and reinstate service.

“We urge you not to leave rural America behind by abandoning this essential service in places like Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport and remain willing to work with you to help address some of the circumstances that led to your decision,” Sanders, Welch and Balint wrote.

American, Delta, United and Sun Country Airlines also fly out of BVT Airport.

Vermont’s congressional delegation told Hayes that JetBlue’s decision to “abruptly terminate” service at Leahy BTV could potentially harm Vermont businesses and make travel to New York “significantly more difficult” for their constituents.

“The decision surprised us and many in Vermont,” the letter said. “With advance notice, our office may have been able to work with you and federal authorities to help prevent the need for this decision.”

BVT airport flights:JetBlue is pulling out of Burlington, with its last flight to New York in January

Blame it on the air traffic controller shortage and the undoing of a business deal

Last week, JetBlue blamed “ongoing air traffic control staffing issues,” and a resulting push to reduce congestion in the New York airspace, plus the unwinding of an alliance it had made with American Airlines, for its decision to end its flight from Burlington to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

JetBlue’s partnership with American Airlines, called the Northeast Alliance, allowed the two airlines to sell tickets aboard each other’s flights, according to reporting from NerdWallet. The agreement also allowed members of JetBlue’s loyalty program to earn points in American Airlines’ loyalty program.

In May, the U.S. Department of Justice won a lengthy…

We use income earning auto affiliate links. More on Sponsored links.

Several ways to buy cheap airline tickets.
- Start searching at least 2 months in advance and sign up for email alerts so you'll always be notified when flight prices drop.
- Budget airlines typically offer the cheapest flights.
- Save money by taking your flight early in the morning or late at night.
- Consider flying on a weekday instead of a weekend.
- Use an aggregator site to compare prices across airlines.
- Once you have found the best trip, select it on the aggregator site and move to the airline’s direct website to book your tickets. Some aggregators allow you to book the ticket through their website, but there may be an additional service fee.