The struggling airline JetBlue will be forced to downgrade more than 300 Captains next year as it shrinks its network in an attempt to return to profitability, although, for the time being at least, the beleaguered carrier says that it hopes to avoid any compulsory unpaid furloughs.
In leaked internal communications, the airline has told its pilot workforce that a total of 343 Captains will be stripped of their rank in 2025 and will be downgraded to lower-paid First Officers.
Talks with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents nearly 5,000 flight crew at the New York-based carrier, are, however, ongoing, and these negotiations include the possibility of offering early-outs to veteran crew members.
Last month, JetBlue announced a net loss of $60 million for the third quarter, bringing the losses for the first nine months of 2024 to more than $750 million.
In an attempt to return to profitability, the airline is embarking on a major cost-cutting program that has seen the carrier slash its network by 20%, completely exiting 15 airports and cutting more than 50 routes from its route map.
JetBlue has also deferred the delivery of more than 40 new airplanes, meaning it has more staff than it will need in the coming months.
Some crew bases are set to be more impacted by others, such as Los Angeles, which will see more captains downgraded and some pilots displaced.
Despite the grim figures, chief executive Marty St. George remains confident that JetBlue can return to profitability in the near future under the airline’s JetForward transformation plan.
“As we look to 2025, I am encouraged by the backdrop for our revenue performance to continue improving, particularly as additional JetForward initiatives begin yielding benefits,” St George said last month.
JetBlue is not, though, just relying on cost-cutting. Earlier this year, St George said the airline wanted to tap more into the high-yield premium leisure market by opening its first-ever airport lounges.
The lounges will open late next year at New York JFK and Boston, and will only be accessible to top elite frequent flyers and international Mint Business Class passengers.
