JetBlue’s first flight from New York arrived at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport on Thursday morning, marking the start of new nonstop service connecting the Emerald Coast to the Northeast.
- The inaugural flight from JFK International Airport was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute from Niceville and Valparaiso fire departments on the aircraft parking apron, followed by a ceremony at the gate.
The airline also launched nonstop service between VPS and Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday, making Destin-Fort Walton Beach JetBlue’s 11th destination in Florida.
“Today’s first flight from New York marks an exciting new chapter for the Emerald Coast,” said Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships. “With nonstop access to both JFK and Boston, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to travel between the Northeast and one of Florida’s most sought-after beach destinations, while also giving local residents convenient connections to JetBlue’s broader network.”
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin welcomed the new service.
- “This is an incredible addition to our passenger service at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport,” Goodwin said. “The success of our airport relies on the success of our partners and we are excited to welcome JetBlue to the VPS family.”
JetBlue operates five weekly seasonal flights from both New York’s JFK Airport and Boston Logan International Airport on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. To celebrate the launch, JetBlue is offering introductory fares starting at $69 one-way, available on jetblue.com.
From April 17 to April 26, JetBlue will operate two daily nonstop flights between Boston and Destin-Fort Walton Beach on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to bring more spring break travelers to the area.
- The Boston flight departs at 12:40 p.m. and arrives at 3 p.m., with the return flight leaving at 3:55 p.m. and arriving at 7:51 p.m.
- The New York flight departs at 7 a.m. and arrives at 9:08 a.m., with the return leaving at 10 a.m. and arriving at 1:38 p.m.
JetBlue announced the new service in November. Airports Director Tracy Stage called it “another exciting chapter in our airport’s growth story and in the future of air travel for all of Northwest Florida” at the time.
“Growth of VPS directly fuels the local economy supporting growing businesses, our military partners, tourism, hospitality, and thousands of jobs across Okaloosa County,” Stage said in November.
Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel said the timing of the new service coincides with America 250 celebrations.
- “This is a carrier that will be able to take us directly to several large cities – Boston and New York – just in time for America 250 as we celebrate the birth of our nation,” Ketchel said.
The new flights provide direct access for customers in the Northeast and open new opportunities for Emerald Coast residents traveling to New York, Boston or beyond with connections from JetBlue’s focus cities to destinations across the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Travelers on the new routes have access to JetBlue’s amenities, including free high-speed Wi-Fi on every aircraft, live television seatback entertainment at every seat, and complimentary snacks and drinks.
JetBlue now serves 11 destinations in Florida and is a leading carrier between the Northeast and the state.
