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‘Growing together’: Why JetBlue is now betting big on Fort Lauderdale airport

By Edited by Mike Garbett and produced with AI assistance

JetBlue Airways has launched its “largest-ever” schedule at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, adding seven new nonstop destinations and seven new routes from existing cities.

The expansion comes after Spirit Airlines shut down in May, leaving a gap in service for South Florida travelers.

FULL STORY: JetBlue makes its biggest play for travelers at FLL airport. Here’s what’s new

According to FLL data, JetBlue accounted for 23.8% of passenger traffic through the first five months of 2026, the largest share among airlines.
According to FLL data, JetBlue accounted for 23.8% of passenger traffic through the first five months of 2026, the largest share among airlines. Bruce Bennett Getty Images

Here are key takeaways:

  • JetBlue accounted for 23.8% of passenger traffic at FLL during the first five months of 2026, the largest share among airlines, according to airport data from May.
  • New nonstop destinations include Baltimore, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Barranquilla and Cali in Colombia, and Caracas, Venezuela. Additional daily flights are also launching to Cleveland, Nashville, Detroit, Houston, Chicago, San Diego and Ponce, Puerto Rico.
  • The new routes boost JetBlue’s daily departures from FLL by more than 75% compared to last year. Since December, the airline has launched service to 24 new nonstop destinations from the airport.
  • “Fort Lauderdale has always been part of JetBlue’s DNA and a cornerstone of our network,” Chief Executive Officer Joanna Geraghty said, adding that the carrier sees “an opportunity to continue growing together with this community.”
  • The expansion follows Spirit Airlines’ May 2 shutdown, which the Dania Beach-based carrier blamed on financial pressures and a “sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices.”

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

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