JetBlue will launch Amsterdam service this summer

JetBlue will begin flying daily to Amsterdam late this summer.

The carrier expects to begin its Amsterdam operation with flights from New York JFK. Flights from Boston will follow. Specific launch dates have not been revealed.

The Tuesday morning announcement had been anticipated. JetBlue had been fighting to obtain landing rights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport since last September. In February, the carrier formally cried foul to the DOT, claiming that an initiative by the Netherlands government to reduce the annual flight count at the airport violated the U.S.-EU international Open Skies air treaty.

That matter appeared to have been put to rest by an April 5 Dutch court decision, which blocked the flight reduction plan. JetBlue said that ruling has given it confidence that there is room to enter the Amsterdam market.

Schiphol will be the carrier’s fourth airport in Europe. JetBlue currently flies to London Heathrow and London Gatwick from JFK and Boston and will begin flights between JFK and Paris de Gaulle on June 29.  

The airline will compete against twice-daily Delta service on JFK-Amsterdam KLM, a joint venture. In addition, United flies daily to Amsterdam from nearby Newark. 

JetBlue will operate the service on Airbus A321LR single-aisle aircraft, featuring its premium Mint cabin with 24 seats and a 114-seat economy cabin.

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