During the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines in the United States faced significant challenges as passenger demand plummeted to levels not seen since the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. This led many carriers to make difficult decisions regarding their operations, with some reducing their presence in certain markets.
JetBlue Airways was one such airline that had to reassess its strategies. As a result of these challenging conditions, JetBlue decided during the pandemic to close its operating base at Long Beach Airport (LGB) and focus on expanding its operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This move marked a shift in strategy for JetBlue, which had been a major carrier at LGB.
In an email to TrueBlue members, JetBlue explained: "After careful consideration, as of October 7th, 2020, we will be moving our scheduled Long Beach flights to LAX. We have proudly served LGB for many years, so no longer offering service has been a difficult decision."