JetBlue expands service from Fort Lauderdale with new nonstop flights to Atlanta Austin Norfolk and Tampa while adding more Mint premium options

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – JetBlue is ramping up its presence at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), unveiling a series of new routes, additional flights on popular destinations, and an expanded rollout of its premium Mint experience. The airline says these moves reflect its ongoing commitment to providing South Florida travelers with convenient options, enhanced comfort, and an unparalleled customer experience.

In the coming months, JetBlue will launch nonstop, year-round service from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Norfolk (ORF), and Tampa (TPA). These new destinations aim to give South Florida residents more flexibility for both business and leisure travel, while also drawing visitors who want to explore sunny Florida and connect to Caribbean destinations. Alongside these new routes, the airline is increasing daily service on existing high-demand routes to Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), and Richmond (RIC). The goal is to meet rising passenger demand while reinforcing Fort Lauderdale’s role as a major gateway to domestic and international destinations.

“Fort Lauderdale has long been a key market for JetBlue, and we’re excited to keep growing with the region,” said Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships. “With new routes, more flights and the expansion of our award-winning Mint experience on more trips, and the best crewmembers in the business, we’re continuing to offer more reasons for South Florida travelers to choose JetBlue.”

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Mark Gale, CEO and Director of Aviation at FLL, also applauded the airline’s expansions. “As a longtime FLL air service partner, we applaud JetBlue’s plans to add Tampa and Norfolk to our airport’s route map and resume flights to Atlanta and Austin,” Gale said. “Additionally, the increased daily frequency on select high-demand U.S. routes this fall and the expanding availability of its Mint premium experience will all benefit FLL travelers.”

These new offerings build upon other recent expansions. Earlier this month, JetBlue resumed twice-daily service from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia and launched once-daily service to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Collectively, these additions reflect the airline’s strategic approach to responding to customer demand while cementing its leadership at FLL.

Expanding the Mint Experience

Perhaps the most notable change for travelers is the expanded availability of Mint, JetBlue’s premium cabin service. With an additional daily flight from Fort Lauderdale to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, passengers now have even more opportunities to enjoy lie-flat seating, elevated dining, and personalized service. The airline says every flight between Fort Lauderdale and these West Coast cities will feature Mint this winter.

“We’re excited to add more Mint to popular routes from Fort Lauderdale and continue building on its success,” Jehn said. “Mint is a reimagined premium experience that offers a different level of comfort, privacy and hospitality. Our customers appreciate the difference, and we’re confident these expanded Mint routes will be a compelling option for travelers looking to elevate their journey.”

With 13 daily Mint flights available from Fort Lauderdale this winter, JetBlue says it will offer the only domestic lie-flat service from the airport, surpassing other carriers in terms of premium, transcontinental options. For travelers seeking a higher level of comfort without leaving the country, these expanded Mint offerings are positioned as a standout feature of JetBlue’s Fort Lauderdale operations.

Fort Lauderdale as a Key Hub

JetBlue has steadily strengthened Fort Lauderdale’s role as a strategic hub over the past two decades. It was the airline’s first destination 25 years ago, and the city has remained central to its network ever since. Today, Fort Lauderdale is not just a launch point for domestic travel but also a major gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.

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This summer, JetBlue operates an average of 72 daily departures to 31 nonstop destinations from FLL, with plans to increase to 95 daily departures to 37 cities by December. These numbers reflect a previously announced 6% year-over-year growth in departures, highlighting robust demand in the South Florida market. The airline also emphasizes that it will continue to offer more transcontinental lie-flat seats from Fort Lauderdale than any other carrier, maintaining its reputation as the go-to option for passengers seeking premium service and comfort.

Looking Ahead with United Airlines Collaboration

In addition to route expansions and Mint growth, JetBlue is preparing to enhance connectivity and loyalty benefits through a new partnership with United Airlines. Dubbed Blue Sky, the collaboration will allow passengers to earn and redeem points on more than 125 daily flights operated by both airlines from Fort Lauderdale.

This strategic collaboration promises to further improve travel options for customers while expanding opportunities for seamless connections across JetBlue’s and United’s networks. Travelers from Fort Lauderdale will benefit from a broader selection of destinations and flexible loyalty rewards, creating a more integrated travel experience for both business and leisure passengers.

Meeting Growing Demand

The move comes amid a period of strong recovery and growth in air travel from South Florida. As domestic and international travelers seek more options for convenience, comfort, and flexibility, JetBlue’s expansions aim to capture that demand while differentiating the airline from competitors. By adding new destinations, increasing daily service on popular routes, and boosting access to Mint, JetBlue is positioning itself as a preferred carrier for South Florida residents and visitors alike.

Industry experts note that the combination of expanded routes, increased flight frequency, and premium service is likely to strengthen JetBlue’s market share at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airline’s investments in the region also reinforce its long-term commitment to the city as a central hub in its network, ensuring continued growth opportunities for both business and leisure travelers.

A Customer-Centric Approach

At the heart of JetBlue’s strategy is a focus on customer experience. From the airline’s highly rated crewmembers to the innovative design of Mint, JetBlue emphasizes service that is tailored to passenger needs. For travelers in South Florida, this means more options for nonstop flights, more opportunities to enjoy premium amenities, and an overall experience that combines convenience with comfort.

“Fort Lauderdale has long been a key market for JetBlue, and we’re excited to keep growing with the region,” Jehn reiterated. “With new routes, more flights and the expansion of our award-winning Mint experience on more trips, and the best crewmembers in the business, we’re continuing to offer more reasons for South Florida travelers to choose JetBlue.”

With these expansions, JetBlue is not just increasing its presence at FLL—it is reinforcing the airport’s role as a central gateway, enhancing travel options for the region, and ensuring that passengers can access premium services previously unavailable in South Florida.