To the editor:
Having grown up in Frenchville and written for [the St. John Valley Times] as a student at Wisdom High School, I read the recent op-ed from United Airlines with much interest. For the past 18 years I’ve worked at JetBlue and felt compelled to correct the record regarding some of the claims made regarding our company’s application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide air service between Presque Isle and Boston.
JetBlue’s proposal is an exciting opportunity to bring back the much-missed direct air link to Boston, a city that shares strong family, friends and business ties to northern Maine. With JetBlue’s service, it would again be possible to fly down to Boston in the morning, attend a critical medical appointment or enjoy a sports event, and be back in Presque Isle that same evening. Today that’s just not realistic with a connection in Newark, where 8 percent of PQI flights were canceled in 2023. On the other hand, JetBlue canceled only about 2 percent of its Boston flights in 2023.
JetBlue’s planned Presque Isle service would be operated with large mainline jet aircraft, meaning more headroom, legroom, and more seats in the market to help avoid sold-out flights at high fares during holidays and school vacations. JetBlue also provides free high-speed wi-fi, live TV and free snacks on every flight, all of which County travelers will no doubt enjoy.
Our proposal would provide northern Maine a reliable and affordable link to our large operation in Boston, where we serve 75 cities (more than any other airline), and to other global destinations through our countless partner airlines.
I’m proud to have watched JetBlue grow in the 18 years I’ve worked there. It’s a great airline that cares deeply about supporting the customers and communities we serve, and I’m confident that northern Maine residents would love JetBlue and our flights to Boston. I urge you to contact the U.S. Department of Transportation to support JetBlue’s proposal to serve Presque Isle.
Seb White
Director of Communications, JetBlue
New York
