JetBlue Airways Corporation, New York’s hometown value airline, today announces plans to broaden its Latin American presence with new daily nonstop service to its 53rd Blue City: San Jose, Costa Rica. Service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) will begin March 26, 2009, subject to receipt of Costa Rican government operating authority. San Jose is the airline’s first destination in Central America, making Costa Rica the ninth country in the airline’s route network.
Fares as low as $99 (a) are available between Orlando and San Jose for travel purchased today through December 23, 2008, while average everyday fares will start at $139 each way. San Jose will become JetBlue’s 22nd nonstop destination from its growing focus city at Orlando. The airline will further expand its commitment to Central Florida by adding two additional destinations in early 2009: daily nonstop service to Bogota, Colombia, its first-ever South American destination, begins January 29, 2009, and to Nassau, Bahamas, on February 1, 2009.

“JetBlue remains committed to growing our Latin American and Caribbean destinations in the New Year and we are thrilled to offer Orlando residents with the only nonstop daily service to the beautiful city of San Jose, Costa Rica,” said JetBlue’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes at a press conference at Juan Santamaria International Airport this afternoon. “Orlando remains a vital part of our route network as we continue to add direct flights to new international cities like Bogota and Nassau. Central Floridians continue to make JetBlue their carrier of choice, giving us the ability to offer more destinations and more value when they travel.”

“The new route by JetBlue to San Jose, Costa Rica further enhances and complements our air service into the Latin American and Caribbean basin and affords a new level of convenience in travel not previously experienced between San Jose and OIA,” said Steve Gardner, Executive Director Orlando International Airport. “JetBlue’s flight schedule and designation of Orlando as a focus city broadens the opportunity for travel to Costa Rica and further establishes our city as a gateway to the Latin American markets. We look forward to JetBlue’s success in this new market and continued future expansion into the region.”

For Costa Rica’s Tourist Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, the arrival of JetBlue to Costa Rica represents new opportunities to connect the country with the United States, which is one of the most important markets in tourist arrivals.

“The United States is still our biggest market, and the arrival of JetBlue and its new Orlando route opens new possibilities for Americans to visit us and for Costa Ricans to have more options to visit the U.S.,” said Minister Benavides.

JetBlue’s schedule between Orlando and San Jose:

Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Customers jetting from New York’s John F. Kennedy or LaGuardia airports, Boston and 10 other JetBlue destinations in the U.S. mainland can also book convenient connecting service to San Jose, including: Austin, Texas; Burlington, Vermont; Buffalo, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse and White Plains, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Portland, Maine; Richmond, Virginia; and Washington, D.C./Dulles.

JetBlue’s connecting schedule from New York (JFK):

Depart New York (JFK) at 7:10 a.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 9:58 a.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) 8:55 p.m.; Arrive New York (JFK) at 11:28 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

JetBlue’s connecting schedule from Boston (BOS):

Depart New York (JFK) at 6:25 a.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 9:23 a.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) 7:55 p.m.; Arrive Boston (BOS) at 10:48 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

JetBlue will operate service to Costa Rica with its 100-seat EMBRAER E190, which offers coveted two-by-two seating (with no middle seat!), seatback televisions (including programming en Espanol), all-leather seating, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline, and unlimited free snacks and beverages. Customers will also be treated to the best customer service in the industry, delivered by the airline’s friendly and award-winning crewmembers.

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