DALLAS — JetBlue (B6) intends to apply for slot exemptions to connect Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a second daily nonstop flight.

The recently passed Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 allows slot exemptions for five additional round-trip flights at DCA beyond the airport’s 1,250-mile perimeter.

Currently, B6 flies the only non-stop service between both capital cities as per the slot exemptions received in 2012. The decision to add a second daily flight on this route is a clear demonstration of our longstanding commitment to Puerto Rico.

The announcement comes after other U.S. carriers, such as Alaska Airlines (AS), American Airlines (AA), Delta Airlines (DL), Southwest Airlines (WN), and Spirit Airlines (NK), announced they are pursuing the slots at DCA.

Enhancing connectivity to Puerto Rico

The application for slot exemptions is part of a comprehensive expansion plan for Puerto Rico by B6. This plan includes additional domestic and international destinations, the introduction of the airline’s Mint premium service between New York (JFK) and San Juan, and the establishment of a crew base in San Juan, all of which will significantly enhance connectivity and economic opportunities for the region.

Moreover, the second daily flight on the route will enhance further connectivity to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas (STT) and St. Croix (STX), as well as additional regional destinations.

“JetBlue looks forward to submitting our application to enhance the connection between Reagan National and our focus city, San Juan, with convenient double-daily low-fare roundtrip flights between the two capitals,” said Robert Land, JetBlue’s head of government affairs and associate general counsel.

B6 is becoming the preferred carrier on the island, where more than 370 crewmembers are employed across Puerto Rico. Furthermore, the American carrier will operate flights to 18 nonstop destinations from the three airports it serves on the island by the end of 2024.