JetBlue Expands Fort Lauderdale Service to Tallahassee

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. JetBlue will soon connect South Florida to the capital, the New York-based airline said Wednesday.

Low fare airline unveiled its strategic plan to expand service at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.which includes a new service to and from Tallahassee.

Upon completion of his planned merger with Miramar-based Spirit AirlinesJetBlue expects to increase the number of flights per day to 250 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport by 2027.

“As a customer-centric alternative to the aging, high-fare airline that dominates South Florida, we have experienced rapid growth in Fort Lauderdale and are ready to accelerate further expansion after the merger with Spirit,” said JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes. “You don’t have to choose between a low rate and a great experience. JetBlue offers both, which is why we have a unique opportunity to challenge the big four airlines and increase competition in Florida and across the country.”

Chris O’Meara/AP

The JetBlue plan will offer flights to approximately 30 regions not currently served by either JetBlue or Spirit of Fort Lauderdale. Destinations include Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Memphis and Savannah, Georgia.

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It will also increase the number of flights to around 30 other airports.

“We thank JetBlue for expanding and providing more direct flights between the capital and South Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement provided to JetBlue. “These new low-cost flights will further benefit Florida’s thriving economy by creating more jobs in our communities and adding more affordable air travel options within the state. We look forward to further expansion of JetBlue in Fort Lauderdale.”

The new Fort Lauderdale-Tallahassee service will begin in January 2024, JetBlue said. Tickets will go on sale in the coming months.

Seth Wenig/AP

“Today, there are several cheap and easy ways to travel between South Florida and the state capital,” Dave Clark, head of JetBlue revenue and planning, said in a statement. “Building on the success of our Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale route, we are pleased to announce this important flight within Florida as the first of many new routes.”

Under the new plan, Europe will also become an international destination for JetBlue travelers from Fort Lauderdale. Other international destinations include Antigua and Belize.

JetBlue is already working with the airport on the design and construction of a new Terminal 5, as well as an elevated walkway to the garage and connection to Terminal 4. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2026.