Happy Jetting: Jet Blue Scores NY Jets Deal
Jet Blue will join in the Jets 50 years of New York Jets football celebration as part of a three year sponsorship deal, announced today.
"This is the perfect opportunity for JetBlue to establish a relationship with the New York Jets," said Robin Hayes, Chief Commercial Officer of JetBlue Airways. "We're a growing airline with a bright future ahead, and the Jets are starting an exciting new chapter with a new quarterback, a new coach and, soon, a new stadium. Both JetBlue and the Jets have histories rooted in New York. We're preparing to celebrate 10 years of aviation history, and the Jets are celebrating 50 years of football history. We congratulate the Jets on five decades and are excited to team up with them for the next three years."
JetBlue is offering a special Takeoff and Touchdown Sale with fares available for purchase today only to AFC East division cities. From New York's JFK, $12 fares (a) are available to Boston and Buffalo in honor of legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath #12. Special $50 fares (a) are available from Newark to Fort Lauderdale in celebration of 50 years of New York Jets football.
"As New York's hometown airline, the Jets are core to what it means to be a sports fan in the city," said Dave Barger, President and CEO of JetBlue Airways. "We're the largest domestic airline at New York's JFK International Airport and are thrilled to partner with a major sports franchise right in our own backyard. We look forward to welcoming Jets fans on future JetBlue flights where they'll never have to miss a game with 36 channels of live television, the most legroom in coach, and unlimited snacks and drinks."
JetBlue also plans to feature a "50 Years of New York Jets Football" photo exhibit showcasing exclusive and rare photographs from throughout Jets history at the airline's new Terminal 5 at JFK airport.
As the Official Airline Partner of the New York Jets, JetBlue's sponsorship includes joint marketing promotions and advertising through 2012. Featured elements include a JetBlue runway and seat display as well as in-stadium signage and videoboard features at both the team's current stadium and the New Meadowlands Stadium. Other elements include social media and interactive fan engagement activities.
Today's announcement makes no mention of the team's charter plans to and from away games. Jet Blue's recently announced University of Texas sponsorship is for commercial purposes, while the Texas football team still flies Continental under a charter deal. On his blog, CNBC's Darren Rovell recently suggested that using two designated airlines, one for team charter and the other for commercial sponsorship, might in some ways be unethical.
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