{"id":6740,"date":"2017-04-05T11:27:16","date_gmt":"2017-04-05T15:27:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atl.com\/?p=6740"},"modified":"2017-04-07T08:53:14","modified_gmt":"2017-04-07T12:53:14","slug":"jetblue-launch-at-atl-celebrates-new-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.atl.com\/atl\/jetblue-launch-at-atl-celebrates-new-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"JetBlue launch at ATL celebrates new partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Atlanta\u2019s Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park and the famous Phoenix statue are featured in JetBlue\u2019s commemorative poster by John Wilkinson. Photo by Gordon Gebert<\/p><\/div>\n

By Anika Robertson
\nSenior Editor\/Assistant Public Relations Manager<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n

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Seeing blue? The hue was part of a lively scene March 30\u00a0at the International Terminal, as ATL officials welcomed JetBlue Airways\u2019 inaugural flight from Boston with cheers and applause.<\/p>\n

\u201cHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a customer-centric airport,\u201d said Airport Deputy General Manager Balram Bheodari. \u201cAnd air service development is one of our core initiatives. Today, with the addition of JetBlue service to Atlanta, our customers will enjoy continued connectivity throughout the U.S. and strengthen our global position as the world\u2019s busiest and most efficient airport.\u201d<\/p>\n

The New York-based air carrier now offers five nonstop, roundtrip flights daily between Atlanta and Boston\u2019s Logan International Airport (BOS).<\/p>\n

Atlanta Fire Rescue trucks greeted and escorted the plane, an Airbus 320, to Gate F14 upon arrival. Flight 0397 passengers received an Atlanta-branded canvas bag filled with treats from both Boston and Atlanta.<\/p>\n

The occasion featured an array of American cuisine and Southern bites, a live band and a JetBlue-meets-Atlanta tiered cake, electrifying the atmosphere for travelers and Airport staff alike.<\/p>\n

David Clark, JetBlue\u2019s vice president of network planning, said the JetBlue team is \u201cabsolutely thrilled\u201d that Atlanta is the carrier\u2019s 101st destination.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a big day for JetBlue,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had a lot of demand from our customers, business customers [and] leisure customers, saying, \u2018JetBlue, you\u2019ve got to serve Atlanta.\u2019 It has been our most requested destination by both our customers and our crew members.\u201d<\/p>\n

ATL Travel Industry Engagement Manager TJ Jackson sees JetBlue\u2019s return to Atlanta after 14 years as necessary to increase passenger service options.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe airline adds to the diversity of our air service,\u201d said Jackson, also an event organizer. \u201cJetBlue is a viable partner in customer service and community outreach, and we look forward to these opportunities to work together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner of tourism with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, also welcomed \u201cnew friends\u201d to Atlanta. \u201cWe look forward to sharing our Southern hospitality with you,\u201d Langston said.<\/p>\n

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Marty St. George, JetBlue executive vice president of commercial and planning, unveiled a poster commemorating JetBlue\u2019s arrival into Atlanta. It featured iconic city destinations.<\/p>\n

To cement its partnership with ATL, JetBlue staff and Department of Aviation employees teamed up March 29 to mark \u201cJetBlue For Good Day.\u201d During the event, officials donated 500 age-appropriate books to College Park Elementary School students and read to 150 second-graders.<\/p>\n

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