VERO BEACH — JetBlue will become the second passenger airline serving Vero Beach Regional Airport when it launches flights to and from Boston and New York beginning Dec. 11.

The New York-based airline said it will fly two daily roundtrips, year-round: to New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport and to Boston-Logan International Airport. Introductory fares will start at $69, JetBlue said in an Aug. 14 news release.

JetBlue's decision to come here developed quickly, officials said. Airline representatives first emailed Airport Director Todd Scher Aug. 11, expressing interest in the airport. By 5 p.m. Aug. 13, they told Scher JetBlue wants to start operations in December.

A JetBlue plane taxis on the runway at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on February 7, 2025.

As it starts up service in Vero Beach, JetBlue also is resuming service to Daytona Beach, where it ended flights Jan. 7, 2019.

"It definitely took us off guard," said Scher. "Now we have to work out the logistics with JetBlue, and let them know what we can accommodate. The airport capacity is limited."

Airport officials react

City officials explained that negotiations with JetBlue will need to move quickly if it wants December flights.

"When we negotiated with Breeze Airways about bringing flights here, we had many months," said City Manager Monte Falls. "We will have a much quicker turnaround for this task.

"Before any flights can occur, JetBlue must meet the procedures and standards of the Federal Aviation Administration and airport itself," he said.

Mayor John Cotugno said he believes JetBlue's interest stems from the reputation the city has built for itself.

"Vero Beach has been discovered," Cotugno said. "There's something about this area that people are looking towards. We've become a brand that is well regarded."

Breeze Airways launched here in February 2023, becoming the only passenger airline at the airport. Elite Airways held that distinction until it ceased local operations in July 2022.

"Breeze has been the only airline to serve Vero Beach for more than two years, and considers itself the hometown carrier for guests traveling to and from the area," Breeze spokesperson Ryne Williams said following JetBlue's announcement. "Vero Beach is a popular choice for our guests, as well as our employees. They love the convenient service we offer, and we look forward to continuing our service there as we grow."

Connecting Vero Beach to the world

JetBlue was founded in August 1998 by current Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman, under the name NewAir. Its first flight was Feb. 11, 2000, between JFK and Fort Lauderdale.

Neeleman left the company in May 2007.

Now offering 114 destinations, the airline operates maintains hubs in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and San Juan, Puerto Rico. It offers international flights to Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid, London, Edinburgh and several Caribbean and South American countries.

It operates the sixth-largest fleet of aircraft in the United States airlines — 289 planes — 129 of which are Airbus A320s.

“Florida continues to be a place JetBlue’s unique combination of low fares and great service resonates, and we’re proud to grow our footprint with these new destinations to meet customer demand for more of the Sunshine State,” said Dave Jehn, JetBlue vice president, network planning and airline partnerships, said in the news release. “Whether it’s customers in the Northeast looking for a warm getaway or Floridians traveling north, we’re excited to bring more choices and better service to these markets.”

Staff writer Wicker Perlis contributed to this article.

Nick Slater is TCPalm's Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at [email protected] and 224-830-2875.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vero Beach lands JetBlue service with Boston, New York flights starting in December