JetBlue introduces rain reimbursement policy for vacation travelers

In past several years US airlines have clamored to add flexibility to their tickets. Duringthe COVID-19 pandemic,the big three US carriers(American Airlines Delta Air Lines,and United Airlines)all removed change fees from their tickets.These carriers joined Southwest Airlines,the only airline ofa similar size that did not charge change fees onits fares.Eventually even ultra- low-cost carriers Frontier Airlinesand Spirit Airlines joined this trend though Spirit just announced thatit is restoring change fees onits basic fare.

Even with these changes fees are stillan important source of ancillary revenue for US airlines.Seat selection fees checked baggage feesand even carry-on fees depending onthe ticket selected have become commonplacefor most US carriers.Specifically ultra-low-cost carriers relyonthis income to boost revenue made from cheap tickets.With thisin mindit isnotoftenthat airlines remove feesor add reimbursement inthe eventof minor travel disruptions.

JetBlue howeverisbuckingthis trend.The carrier has been atthe forefrontof raising checked bag feesthrough dynamic pricing buthas created anewand unique reimbursement policyfor travelerson vacation.According tothe New York Postthe airline willreimburse various trip costs dueto excessive rainif passengers have purchaseda qualifying JetBlue Flight+Hotel vacation package.JetBlueturned tonewstartuptohelp makethiscustomer-friendly policyareality.

JetBlue willpartnerwith WeatherPromiseto followthroughonits policyto refund passengers dueto "significant rainfall."The weather company has accesstoavarietyofextensive datathatcan helpJetBluedetermineifenough rainfallhasoccurredtofacilitatereimbursement.Thisdataincludesinformationon:

PrecipitationTriplengthDestinationinformation

Leveragingthisinformationthefirmcandetermineiftheamountofrainfallduringa

customer'stripmeetstherequiredthresholdforreimbursement.Ifrainfalldoesmeettherequiredlevelpassengerswillautomaticallybegivenarefund.

PresidentofJetBlueTravelJamiePerryexpressedenthusiasmforthenewpartnershipasthetwocompaniesannouncedtheirplansexplaininghowthecollaborationwillhelppassengersenjoythevacationsthatareimportanttothem:

"Weknowhowimportantvacationsareandbyofferingcoverageagainstweatherdisruptionswe'reensuringourcustomerscanfocusonenjoyingtheirtripswithconfidenceandpeaceofmind."

WiththisnewpolicyJetBlueaimsstimulatemoredemandforitsvacationpackages.PassengerscanuseJetBlueVacationstoplantheirexcursionstoavarietyofdestinationsintheairline'snetwork.MostofJetBlue'sflightstakeplaceacrosstheeastcoastoftheUnitedStatesthoughthecarrieroffersselectflightstothewesternUnitedStatesevenacrosstheAtlanticOceantoEurope.

SignificantlydisruptedpassengersareentitledtocompensationUnderthepreviouspresidentialadministrationtheUnitedStates'DepartmentofTransportationhadarenewedfocusonholdingairlinesaccountablefordelays.AccordingtoUSATODAYtheagencyworkedtocommunicatetopassengerswhattheywereentitledtointeventofadisruptioncreatedanonline dashboardforpassengerseasilyfindinformationtheyneedWhilenoneoftheseregulationspertainedundesirableweatherafterflightdidsetclearexpectationsairlines

Theagency'scrackdownonairlinesbestexemplifiedbyletterformerSecretaryTransportationPeteButtigiegwrotetheChiefExecutiveOfficerslargestairlinesUnitedStatesThemessagesharedDepartmentTransportationJuly2024WithinButtigiegexplainedintentionholdairlinesaccountablefailurecomplynewlegislationinvestigateclaimswrongdoingUScarriersButtigiegexplained

"FirstIneedremindairlinesoperatingUnitedStatesthatrefundrequirementsFAAReauthorizationActtookeffectuponenactmentlawMay162024Nowthatthislawourexpectationairlinesdoingeverythingpowercomply"

"Secondrecentweeksweheardreportsunacceptablecustomerservicefailuresreceivedthousand airtravelservicecomplaintsagainstairlinesWhenproblemscomeattentionwewillinvestigatethemwhereviolationsoccurreduseenforcementpowersholdoffendingairlinesaccountable"