JetBlue Launches Three New Nonstop Routes
JetBlue started daily nonstop flights from Baltimore and Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, Columbus and Indianapolis after Spirit Airlines' exit.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Air Travel
Live Poll
Do you expect airfares to get cheaper as more airlines add new routes?
JetBlue began three new daily nonstop routes on November 2, 2026: Baltimore/Washington to San Juan, and Fort Lauderdale to Columbus and Indianapolis. The Indianapolis route is the airline's first flight to that city.
Why it matters
The launches follow the exit of Spirit Airlines earlier in 2026, and JetBlue's growth at Fort Lauderdale reflects its effort to capture travelers previously served by Spirit. Fort Lauderdale is now JetBlue's most-served airport.
The Baltimore to San Juan route spans 1,360 nautical miles and is JetBlue's ninth-longest route from the Lower 48 states to San Juan. The Fort Lauderdale to Columbus route is operated by 162-seat Airbus A320 aircraft, and 235,200 round-trip passengers flew between those cities in the 12 months to July 2026.
The players
JetBlue
JetBlue is a major U.S. low-cost carrier based in New York that has expanded aggressively in Florida and the Caribbean.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines was a low-fare carrier whose exit from several markets in 2026 opened routes for competitors such as JetBlue.
The details
JetBlue is operating the Baltimore to San Juan route with Airbus A320 aircraft, and the Fort Lauderdale routes to Columbus and Indianapolis add to the carrier's Florida network. The Indianapolis route marks the first time JetBlue has flown to that city.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: JetBlue's three new nonstop routes begin service.
December 17, 2026 to January 3, 2027: An Airbus A220 is scheduled on the Fort Lauderdale to Indianapolis route.
September 8, 2027: A 140-seat Airbus A220-300 is due on the Fort Lauderdale to Columbus route.
Market Landscape
JetBlue's new routes are a direct response to the withdrawal of Spirit Airlines, which had served several of the same markets. The launches show competitors moving quickly to fill capacity gaps left by Spirit's 2026 exit.
Travelers flying between Fort Lauderdale and Columbus or Indianapolis now have daily nonstop options, which can simplify trips that previously required connections. Those booking Baltimore to San Juan travel can use a direct daily flight on a 1,360-nautical-mile route.
The takeaway
Travelers in the affected cities gain new nonstop choices, and checking JetBlue's schedules before booking can reveal new direct options. Route availability can shift as airlines adjust their networks after competitor exits.
What happens next
The Airbus A220 is scheduled on the Fort Lauderdale to Indianapolis route from December 17, 2026, to January 3, 2027, and a 140-seat Airbus A220-300 is due on the Fort Lauderdale to Columbus route from September 8, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more air travel news to see how airlines are reshaping routes across the country.
Live Poll
Do you expect airfares to get cheaper as more airlines add new routes?
