JetBlue’s flights to Paris are now available for as low as $479 round trip

If you've been delaying your summer travel plans to Europe due to high international fares, you can now relax and say, non, je ne regrette rien—thanks to JetBlue Airways. After revealing plans for a new transatlantic route from New York to Paris last November, the budget airline has officially opened bookings, which can now be made through the JetBlue website and app.

JetBlue will commence daily flights from New York’s JFK Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) starting June 29, 2023, with introductory economy fares at $479 round trip and Mint class seats (JetBlue’s business class) beginning at $1,899 round trip.

Flight 1407 will take off from JFK daily at 5:09 p.m. local time, landing at CDG the next day at 6:55 a.m. local time. The return flight, 1408, will leave CDG at 8:55 a.m. local time, arriving back at JFK at 11:51 a.m. local time.

The airline will be flying across the Atlantic with a fleet of Airbus A321 LR (long-range) aircraft, designed for longer distances than previous models. These planes will feature 114 standard coach seats, including some with extra legroom, and a spacious 24-seat Mint premium class—JetBlue’s take on business class with lie-flat seating, including two rows of 'Mint Studio' that offer 22-inch TVs, extra storage, and a seat and table for a guest. This year, JetBlue will also start receiving the latest A321 XLR variant, capable of flying up to about 5,400 miles nonstop—1,000 miles farther than the 737 and other single-aisle aircraft.

JetBlue takes pride in providing exclusive onboard features, including free and unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi available on all flights, which extends to international routes. Additionally, passengers can enjoy seatback screens streaming live TV and movies, featuring a selection of French films for those heading to Paris.

When it comes to dining, JetBlue seeks to delight its passengers by partnering with New York's farm-to-table, vegetable-centric restaurant group Dig to craft seasonal menus for all service classes. A self-serve snack 'pantry' is also available on JetBlue flights at no extra charge.

For its Paris flights, JetBlue plans to incorporate elements of French cuisine into the menu,” shares Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and COO, with Dinogo. The final menu is still being developed and will be completed as the launch date approaches.

What’s next? JetBlue is considering more European destinations

The upcoming Paris flights will complement JetBlue’s sole other transatlantic route from New York to London, but more European destinations are likely to be added, with Amsterdam at the top of the list for future expansion.

Geraghty states, “We’re excited about Amsterdam. We truly want to make it happen. It’s a constrained airport with controlled slots that legacy carriers dominate, and we aim to be the disruptor that provides a better experience for customers at affordable rates in those areas.”

All three major U.S. airlines have established formal partnerships with European carriers to facilitate smoother connections between the continents. American Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance, which includes British Airways, while Delta Air Lines collaborates with Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic for transatlantic routes. United Airlines is affiliated with the Star Alliance network, partnering with Lufthansa, Austrian, and TAP Air Portugal.

JetBlue aims to bolster its competitiveness by launching nonstop flights between New York and Paris, followed by plans for nonstop service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to CDG, though a specific timeline for the Boston flights has yet to be announced.

JetBlue made its debut in the transatlantic market in August 2021 by acquiring slots at London Heathrow that became available during the pandemic. Last summer, the airline successfully secured a more permanent arrangement for these slots. On October 29, JetBlue increased its offerings to include a second daily flight from New York’s JFK to London Gatwick, raising the total to three daily flights between New York and London. JetBlue also initiated flights from Boston to Gatwick in August, followed by services to Heathrow in September.

While JetBlue is a prominent low-cost carrier operating transatlantic flights from the U.S., it faces growing competition in this expanding travel sector. New entrants include French bee, the Spanish low-cost arm of IAG (which also owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia), Play (reviving the former Wow Air), and Norse Atlantic Airways (a rebranding of Norwegian Air), all of which are expanding their transatlantic offerings. With international airfares causing sticker shock for many travelers this year, these affordable alternatives present new opportunities for budget-conscious international travel.

Reporting contributed by Barbara Peterson.