Not bizarre -- smart. JetBlue has found an innovative way to dump excess inventory, sell return tickets at "regular" prices (regular by airline standards, anyway) AND amping up web site visits all at the same time. Some quick research on my part revealed that, even with rock-bottom pricing on just one side of the trip -- my sister and her family of five could fly round trip from Denver to New York for under $300 per person. Or I could fly from Boston to The Bahamas roundtrip for about $258. I'd try it in a New York minute!

(the author of this post was a travel & tourism correspondent for Associated Press Special Features from 1997-2003)

Posted By Brenda D. Farrell on August 27, 2008, 3:25 PM

Brenda,
Thanks for chiming in with that interesting comment!
Don't get me wrong. I like JetBlue, and Budget Travel
has praised the airline for many things they've done.

I've never seen an airline offer a one-way airfare sale before. It's like a restaurant selling you a seat at a table but not telling you how much the cost of the food will be. You may save money ultimately, but it's a bit confusing and non-standard.

So you (speaking to all readers) need need to make sure you're comparing apples to apples when claiming that a fare is a good deal. I just did a quick search on Kayak.com five seconds ago for flights on the NYC and Bahamas route. I searched for flights on many airlines, not just JetBlue. I found that roundtrip prices after taxes and fees, start at $267, on a Wednesday to Wednesday round-trip ticket. A similar search on the Denver-NYC route turned up a fare comparable to the under $300 you quoted for JetBlue.

You might save a little bit with JetBlue's special, no question. But to be *sure* that you're getting a deal, you ought to cross-compare with a search on a website like Kayak, CheapTickets, Priceline, or your own preferred travel site.

Of course, JetBlue may fly nonstop on these routes while other airlines don't, and it may have a style of travel that you prefer.

--Sean
blog editor

Posted By Sean on August 27, 2008, 3:52 PM

I'm laughing because I realize that I am looking at this JetBlue promotion from a marketing strategy standpoint. By putting out this attention-grabbing offer (it caught your attention, and mine!), then changing the offers in this category on their website virtually every day, JetBlue will probably see a significant increase in visits to their website, especially from a primary audience travelers who use the airports they serve. It reminds me a bit of how supermarkets advertise certain products as "loss leaders" to get customers in the door. Once there, they may or may not buy bananas at 33 cents per pound, but more likely than not they'll spend some money. I'd be interested to see if it helps them increase sales.

Cheers,
Brenda

Posted By Brenda D. Farrell on August 27, 2008, 4:22 PM

I just bought a similar one way sale fare on BMI, from Dublin, Ireland to London Heathrow. So, I love Jet Blue, but its idea might not be that original.

-Maggie

Posted By Maggie on August 28, 2008, 9:01 AM

Hi Maggie,
Thanks for pointing that fact out.
I had been referring to U.S.-owned airlines but that is a very good point.
Thanks again,
Sean

Posted By Sean on August 28, 2008, 10:20 AM

Does anyone know if JetBlue flies to Guatemala?

Posted By Lorrie on August 28, 2008, 12:57 PM

I just checked Jet Blue for flights from Denver to Washington Dullas. Not just were their least expensive flights all red-eyes, but cost in excess of $50.00 and more compared to other airlines. NO DEAL HERE !!!!!!!!!

Posted By kathy on August 28, 2008, 1:06 PM

Its amazing that this ploy works at all. Its seems with most airlines today, the phrase "You can't get there from here" truly applies. And Jet Blue is no exception. My question is, do they offer significantly discounted fares to return? I don't think so. So it may sound good, but could actually be VERY expensive to travel like this, even if you have the time.

Posted By Stephannie on August 28, 2008, 2:13 PM

Jet blue doesn't fly to Guatemala, but I found a very reasonably priced ticket RT out of Las Vegas, on Intratours website. Try it, it might work out for you and it was about $1000 less than flying from Phx, we have to spend a day there first, but that will be a diversion before we hit Central America!

Posted By Joyce on August 29, 2008, 2:17 AM

I am not impressed. JetBlue is just dumping some unpopular seats as a quick-fix stunt. AirTran Airways has web sales every Tuesday and there are loads of low fares on routes you might actually want to fly. Also, JetBlue flies regional jets on most of their shorter routes and I prefer AirTran's full-size planes over those cramped RJ's. Lastly, who really wants to fly from Long Beach to Sacramento anyway? What a rip-off!

Posted By Corky Lipschitz on August 29, 2008, 6:43 PM

Obviously biased. But please look at what you are getting when you fly JetBlue vice other carriers. 36 channels direct tv, possibly 100 channels of xm radio, all the good snacks and drinks you want, more leg room on bigger leather seats, by far better service all around. Saving 20 bucks is definitely not worth flying someone else. In regards to the Denver to Dulles flight-flying direct is always the way to go. Fly JetBlue on another flight sometime you will love it!

Chris

Posted By Christopher Abell on September 5, 2008, 8:24 AM

If you're still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll know which is right for you.

Posted By Carroll B. Merriman on February 19, 2012, 11:46 PM