LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Customer-favorite JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces a major expansion of service in the western United States, with new premium low-fare service at Los Angeles International Airport plus new intrawest routes from other Southern California regional airports to Austin, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Jose, and Seattle, all beginning this May.

Award-winning JetBlue already offers more nonstop flights between the East and West Coasts than any low-fare, low-cost airline, and will add even more transcontinental routes with the addition of new nonstop service from LAX to New York and Boston, plus the only nonstop service from Burbank to Washington, D.C. JetBlue will complement its robust schedule of coast-to-coast flying with five new western routes linking Burbank to Las Vegas; Long Beach to Austin, San Jose, and Seattle; and San Diego to Seattle.

JetBlue's expansion in California also marks the West Coast debut of the airline's brand-new EMBRAER 190 aircraft. The full-size E190, a quiet 100-seat jet, will fly select new routes from its focus city at Long Beach Airport and offer travelers all the comforts they've come to expect on JetBlue: 36 channels of free live DIRECTV(r) programming, more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio, plus comfy leather seats (either an aisle or window -- never a middle seat!), the most legroom in coach (a), and JetBlue's award-winning inflight experience.

"It's been nearly eight years since JetBlue launched our award-winning transcontinental service to Ontario, redefining the air travel experience while bringing humanity back to the skies," said JetBlue CEO Dave Barger. "Since then we've expanded to other regional airports including Long Beach and Burbank, attracting customers from across L.A. with low fares and uncommonly good service. Today we're thrilled to give our growing customer base what they've been asking for: JetBlue service on more routes from the L.A. Basin. With the introduction of low-fare flights from LAX, plus added routes throughout California, JetBlue is making it easier than ever to enjoy industry-leading customer service to the East Coast, and now up and down the West Coast, too."

"JetBlue has operated successfully in a very challenging aviation marketplace in recent years by attracting business and leisure travelers with premium service at low prices," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "The expansion of service in Long Beach and introduction of new routes at LAX and Burbank will, I believe, show that regionalizing air service in the L.A. Basin -- a high priority of my Administration -- is the flight path to future success. Moreover, because of JetBlue's new focus on global partnerships, the new LAX service will help strengthen the LAX international gateway as a key driver of Southern California's economy."

"JetBlue continues to set the industry standard for customer service and low fares," said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster. "By serving new, sought-after destinations with smaller and quieter aircraft, JetBlue is providing more options for consumers and decreasing the airport's impact on neighborhoods."

"We eagerly await the start of JetBlue's new cross-country service, sure to be welcomed by air travelers looking for more service options and great value," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, operator of LAX, LA/Ontario International Airport, LA/Palmdale Regional Airport and Van Nuys Airport. "The addition of JetBlue is a reflection of the progress made in our work to revitalize LAX. At the same time, the carrier's expansion in the region is a vivid reminder that we must continue our efforts to increase service at our airports in Ontario and Palmdale, both of which are primed for growth. We look forward to working with JetBlue's route planners to make the case for new and increased service at these important regional airports."

JetBlue's New Service Details

Los Angeles International Airport

JetBlue will kick off low-fare service from Los Angeles International Airport -- its fourth Los Angeles area airport -- on May 21. The airline will fly three-times daily to New York/JFK and once-daily to Boston from LAX Terminal 6. Overnight flights from LAX will include JetBlue's complimentary Shut-Eye Service, featuring a Snooze Kit that includes earplugs and eyeshades, plus unlimited free snacks and beverages and a "good morning" hot towel service.

Long Beach Airport

JetBlue will expand short-haul flying from its focus city at Long Beach Airport, adding three more destinations in response to customer demand for convenient and affordable flights within the West. Daily nonstop service to Austin begins May 1, while service to San Jose and Seattle begins May 21. All routes will operate on a mix of 150-seat Airbus A320 and 100-seat EMBRAER 190 aircraft.

JetBlue currently offers customers hassle-free service from Long Beach to Boston, Chicago/O'Hare, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New York/JFK, Oakland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C./Dulles.

Burbank/Bob Hope Airport

Capitalizing on the popularity and convenience of Burbank's easy-in, easy-out Bob Hope Airport, JetBlue will begin the first-ever nonstop service from the San Fernando Valley to Washington, D.C. on May 21. JetBlue will fly twice-daily from Burbank to Dulles International Airport. On the same day, JetBlue will also begin daily nonstop service from Burbank to Las Vegas. The airline currently flies daily from Bob Hope to New York/JFK and Salt Lake City.

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	 From           To                       Daily flights   Sale fare (a)

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	 Burbank        Las Vegas                1               $39

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	 Burbank        Washington, D.C./Dulles  2               $119

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New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers the most legroom throughout coach (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines). JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 53 cities with 550 daily flights. New service to Los Angeles International Airport begins in May. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.