JetBlue is making a swift move to fill the void left by Spirit Airlines at Fort Lauderdale Airport, and now it appears the airline is eyeing a similar opportunity at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The New York-based airline has won coveted takeoff and landing rights at LGA, which could allow it to operate up to 12 additional daily roundtrips from the airport.
The Spirit Airlines slots previously held at LaGuardia had become highly sought-after assets after the budget airline shut down in May and began liquidating. Now, it seems that JetBlue will be the airline to utilize these slots. While JetBlue still needs court and regulatory approval before it can start adding routes from the airport, the airline has already expressed interest in moving to LaGuardia's historic Marine Air Terminal.
Operating out of Terminal A would mean a more no-frills experience for JetBlue flyers at LaGuardia. The airline currently operates out of the far larger and more modern Terminal B, which is home to several high-end lounges. However, moving to Terminal A would bring JetBlue much-needed cost savings, which could support its expansion at the airport.
High costs at LaGuardia had been a key factor in JetBlue's decision to pull back from the airport in recent years. The carrier currently flies just four routes from the airport, and operating out of Terminal A could be a smart play for the airline as it looks to fortify its base of TrueBlue loyalty members in its home market.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LGA, would need to approve any decision to move JetBlue to Terminal A. The facility is slated for renovations on its 1980s-era concourse and gate area, and the airline hopes to begin its LaGuardia expansion in 2027, assuming legal and regulatory approvals are secured.
With its newly-acquired slots, JetBlue is currently evaluating how best to utilize them. Industry analyst Robert Mann expects the airline to add more classic, bread-and-butter routes, such as those in Florida and upper New York State. LaGuardia isn't the first airport where JetBlue is vying for former customers and gate space vacated by Spirit, as the airline has moved to become the top carrier at Spirit's former Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport home base.
