NEW YORK, NY and ISTANBUL, TURKEY--(Marketwired - May 12, 2014) - JetBlue Airways, New York's Hometown Airline™, and Turkish Airlines, the rapidly growing global carrier, today announce the launch of a unilateral codeshare to provide expanded travel options for customers worldwide.
Turkish Airlines is now placing its "TK" code unilaterally on select JetBlue-operated flights to/from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. Flights are available for sale through travel agencies and Turkish Airlines reservations for travel beginning today.
The JetBlue-Turkish Airlines codeshare allows customers to purchase tickets combining flights on both carriers and enjoy one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in on their day of departure.
Turkish Airlines offers up to three daily flights between New York and its hub at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, and today inaugurates the first-ever nonstop service between Istanbul and Boston. At Boston Logan International Airport, JetBlue offers more flights to more destinations than any other airline.
Via Istanbul, Turkish Airlines offers onward connections to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Far East. Turkish Airlines offers one of the most expansive route networks in the world, currently spanning 247 destinations in 106 countries.
Through JetBlue, international travelers will have access to 24 key U.S. destinations including Baltimore, Maryland; Buffalo, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Jacksonville, Florida; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; Rochester, New York; and Tampa, Florida.
"We are delighted to begin codeshare operations with Turkish Airlines just as the carrier is expanding its U.S.A. network to include our growing Boston focus city," said Scott Laurence, JetBlue's vice president of network planning. "More and more international carriers are being attracted to Boston Logan in part because of JetBlue's expanding route network, and that's great news for travelers as well as the local economy."
"We are glad to sign the codeshare agreement with our partner JetBlue in the U.S. We are sure that the cooperation of our airlines will be fruitful, enabling our passengers to access a global network via our JFK and BOS gateways with the inaugural of our Boston flights," said Ahmet Bolat, Ph.D., Turkish Airlines Chief Investment and Technology Officer.
Customers connecting to JetBlue-operated flights will enjoy the airline's award-winning in-flight experience, which includes unlimited free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, free seatback entertainment*, and the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines). In addition, JetBlue currently offers customers complimentary satellite broadband internet service on select departures.
Initial codeshare destinations via Boston and/or New York:
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Florida
- Long Beach/Los Angeles, California
- Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
- Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 85 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 825 daily flights. New service to Hyannis, Mass. begins this summer. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, an overnight stay is never required and the first checked bag is free (subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines). For more information please visit JetBlue.com.
About Turkish Airlines
Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines is today a four star airline with a fleet of 247 aircraft (passenger and cargo) flying to 247 cities around the world, comprised of 43 domestic and 204 international destinations. One of the fastest growing airline companies, Turkish Airlines has received several "Passengers Choice Awards" from the consumer ranking group, Skytrax. Based on 2011, 2012 and 2013 results, Turkish Airlines has been chosen as the winner of "Best Airline Europe," "Best Airline Southern Europe." Besides, it has been chosen as "Best Business Class Catering" in 2013 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It has also received awards for its catering and holds a coveted 4-star designation, putting the airline in a small group of top quality carriers. Turkish Airlines was also given the Skytrax designation of "World's Best Economy Class On-board Catering" in 2010, and Skyscanner's "Best On-board Food 2011." Long haul Business Class passengers also enjoy the Flying Chef service on-board.
*Live satellite TV and radio programming is available on JetBlue-operated flights in the contiguous U.S. Where applicable, for flights over 2 hours operating outside of the contiguous U.S., JetBlue may offer complimentary JetBlue Features™ movies.