JetBlue's LA Basin blitz - new routes, intro fares

Heretofore, discount airline JetBlue has eschewed the LA Basin's primary airport, Los Angeles International (LAX). That will change in May as the high-frills, low-fare carrier launches nonstop transcontinental service from LAX to both Boston (BOS) and New York Kennedy (JFK) with introductory discount airfares of $159 to Boston, and $129 to Kennedy.

The discount airline will ply the LAX-JFK route thrice daily; Los Angeles to Boston just once. Both of these new routes get off the ground on May 21.

What's intriguing about the move is that JetBlue isn't abandoning its Long Beach (LGB) anchor. It's building it up, lofting a combination of A320 and Embraer 190 regional jet service from the pocketport to Austin (AUS), San Jose (SJC), and Seattle/Tacoma (SEA).

There will be a single daily nonstop to Austin, with an introductory discount airfare of $99; three daily nonstops to San Jose, with an intro rate of $39; and a pair of daily nonstops up the West Coast to Seattle/Tacoma, at an introductory offering of $89. LGB-Austin service takes wing on May 1; flights to San Jose and SeaTac on May 21.

Underscoring its commitment to SoCal, JetBlue is building up service at Burbank (BUR) too. Look for once-daily nonstop service to Las Vegas (LAS) from the San Fernando Valley airport, and twice-daily nonstops to Washington, DC Dulles (IAD). The former route goes for an introductory rate of $39; the latter for $119. May 21 is the start date for both routes

Then there's San Diego (SAN). On May 1 the discount airline will open up a second daily nonstop from SAN to Salt Lake City (SLC), and begins once-daily nonstop service to Seattle/Tacoma (SEA) on May 21. The new SEA route carries an $89 introductory price tag.

What's up? Clearly, the key to all this is Los Angeles International. Heretofore, JetBlue hasn't had a presence at LAX, the region's dominant aerodrome. By starting service there it means the low-fare airline will field flights from four of the five LA Basin airports: Los Angeles (LAX), Long Beach (LGB), Burbank (BUR), and Ontario (ONT). The only area airport it won't fly out of is Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA).

Perhaps more importantly, JetBlue counters discount airline Virgin America on the high-profile Los Angeles to New York Kennedy route. JetBlue is loath to see traffic seep away to VX (Virgin America's airline code). Both JetBlue and Virgin America represent a new breed of discount airline. Both offer low fares, but load their new airplanes with lots of extras. It will be interesting to see how flyers respond to this sudden transcon competition. For the time being, enjoy the bounty.

The discount airfares quoted, again, are introductory rates. They're one-way, but - as with all JetBlue airfares - you do not have to make a round-trip purchase to get them. You will, however, have to book pretty fast, no later than 11:59pm (Mountain Time) on February 22. Complete your trip by June 14.

These are off-peak rates, good for flights Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Neither taxes nor fees are included in the quoted price, and to get the lowest discount airfares you'll have to book at the carrier's Web site: www.jetblue.com.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler