Last year, they helped the then-nameless, uncertified carrier win 75 slots at Kennedy in exchange for a promise to bring frequent service and low fares to upstate New York. They didn't even squawk last month when Neeleman again bypassed under-served, overcharged Syracuse and announced JetBlue would begin flying to his home town, Salt Lake City, on November 17. JetBlue's marketing and operations make it a canny cross between Southwest and Virgin Atlantic. The airline is totally ticketless and seats must be purchased when reservations are made. The Airbus fleet is packed with 162 coach seats configured 3x3.
Inflight service is minimal.
But JetBlue tarts itself up just enough to be better than flying coach on most major carriers. The chairs are covered in blue leather and you can reserve them in advance. The inflight snacks are premium Terra chips made from blue potatoes. Then it got a second publicity hit when it decided to give the broadcasts away. And JetBlue has attitude.