JetBlue reduces flight attendant hours amid financial challenges

JetBlue stated: “Email from TWU Union to JetBlue Flight Attendants. Beginning September, offering up to six months LOA, cutting flying hours, reducing FA staffing on Transatlantic, and splitting FA up rather than the same FAs remaining together on the entire pairing.”

JonNYC (@xJonNYC) tweeted this information on July 18, 2024.

JetBlue has already reduced its transatlantic flights, making London Gatwick seasonal and scaling back its schedule to a single Paris flight. Consequently, fewer crew members are needed for transatlantic routes.

Additionally, JetBlue decided to disable business class suite doors on some planes to reduce flight attendant staffing costs. An FAA requirement mandates checking that doors are locked in position for takeoff and landing; eliminating this requirement helps save expenses. The airline has standardized all Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft with four cabin crew members—an exceptionally low number compared to other carriers flying similar passenger numbers. However, JetBlue's load factors have generally been lower.

The airline has also scaled back other routes and destinations amid financial struggles and is expected to implement several changes not just in its schedule but also in its product offerings. Plans include introducing a standard domestic first-class product.

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