JetBlue to open 5 new direct routes to PR starting March 2026

“Each of these new connections represents more opportunities for economic development, greater access for Puerto Ricans residing outside the island, and greater exposure for our island in key markets,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said.

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, along with Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel, announced Wednesday the expansion of JetBlue’s operations with five new direct routes to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport starting in March of next year.

“The expansion of these routes confirms that Puerto Rico continues to position itself as a competitive and high-value destination for the airline industry,” the governor said in a written statement. “Each of these new connections represents more opportunities for economic development, greater access for Puerto Ricans residing outside the island, and greater exposure for our island in key markets. We thank JetBlue for continuing to invest in Puerto Rico and for strengthening, together with us, the infrastructure that supports the growth of tourism and passenger traffic in the Caribbean.”

Robles Cancel said the cooperative agreement with JetBlue, valued at up to $1 million, will support the promotion of the destination in strategic markets. She added that the addition of the routes will strengthen the island’s air connectivity and expand opportunities in the tourism industry.

“The addition of these routes is part of a clear strategy: to diversify our connectivity and ensure that Puerto Rico maintains a strong presence in the markets that generate the highest volume of visitors,” the tourism director said. “The cooperative agreement with JetBlue will allow us to strengthen our promotional efforts and support the sustainable growth of tourism. Today, more than just adding routes, we are expanding opportunities for our economy, for our visitors, and for the entire industry that depends on tourism.”

JetBlue President Marty Saint George emphasized that the new routes deepen the airline’s commitment to Puerto Rico since it began operations in 2002.

“Puerto Rico has shaped JetBlue’s identity for more than two decades,” he said. “Our new routes further deepen our commitment to the island and the communities that have been part of JetBlue’s story since 2002. We are proud to continue investing in Puerto Rico and creating more travel opportunities for customers across our growing network.”

The announced routes will connect San Juan with Philadelphia; Buffalo, N.Y.; Richmond and Norfolk, Va; and Jacksonville, Fla.. Philadelphia will have daily service, while Jacksonville and Buffalo will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Norfolk will offer flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and Richmond will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, according to the PRTC.

Currently, there are no direct routes between Puerto Rico and the cities of Buffalo, Richmond or Norfolk, so the expansion represents the opening of new markets for the island, with an estimated economic impact of $119.2 million.