JetBlue History: From New York Upstart to Mint and London – Airline Employee Shop

JetBlue History

JetBlue started in 2000 as a New York upstart with leather seats and live TV, and grew into a major airline flying from the Caribbean to London. Here's a short history of JetBlue, plus the JetBlue collection that celebrates it.

A new kind of airline (1998-2002)

David Neeleman founded the airline in 1998 under the working name NewAir, with New York's JFK Airport as its home. JetBlue began flying on February 11, 2000, with service to Fort Lauderdale and Buffalo. From the start it flew new Airbus A320s, and by April 2000 every seat had a screen with free live DirecTV. In April 2002 JetBlue went public on the NASDAQ, raising $260 million.

Growing up at JFK (2005-2013)

In 2005 JetBlue became the launch customer for the Embraer E190, a smaller jet for shorter routes. On October 22, 2008, it moved into its new Terminal 5 at JFK. The company later moved its headquarters to Long Island City in Queens. In 2013 it announced that TrueBlue points would never expire.

Mint, the A220 and London (2014-2023)

In 2014 JetBlue launched Mint, its business class, on transcontinental Airbus A321 flights. The first Airbus A220 arrived in 2020, and A220 passenger service began on April 26, 2021. On August 11, 2021, JetBlue flew its first flight from New York to London Heathrow. A partnership with American Airlines in the Northeast was ruled anticompetitive by a court in May 2023 and had to be unwound.

A new chapter (2024-today)

JetBlue's plan to buy Spirit Airlines was blocked by a federal judge on January 16, 2024, and the deal was called off that March. Joanna Geraghty became CEO in February 2024, the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline. In May 2025 JetBlue and United announced their "Blue Sky" partnership. JetBlue retired its last E190 on September 9, 2025, and continues to fly as an independent airline from its New York base.

A few things collectors love

  • Most JetBlue jets carry a "blue" pun for a name, such as "Big Blue Bus" and "Blue La La." Mint jets get "Mint" puns, like "This Magic MoMint."
  • JetBlue's tails come in named patterns, including "Balloons," "Highrise," "Barcode," "Blueberries" and "Tartan."
  • Free live TV at every seat set JetBlue apart from day one.

Shop JetBlue

Browse JetBlue logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the JetBlue collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the frequent flyer in your life.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by JetBlue.