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JetBlue service to New York takes off at Richmond International Airport Date published: 4/1/2006
By KELLY HANNON RICHMOND--When Les and Ellen Kreisler learned JetBlue would start service to New York from Richmond International Airport, the couple eagerly booked a flight. They have family in Manhattan, and they regularly trek two hours to catch nonstop flights at Washington Dulles International Airport or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. They were ecstatic to learn they could wing out of town just a short hop from their home in Short Pump, a suburb of Richmond. But the Kreislers had no idea they'd reserved seats on JetBlue's inaugural flight out of Richmond yesterday morning. The Kreislers wheeled their luggage up to Gate B7 and found a maelstrom of celebration. Gov. Tim Kaine and JetBlue's CEO David Neeleman were mingling with passengers and crew. A bubbly blue beverage was poured into champagne glasses. A sheet cake was cut and served. And when the first JetBlue plane touched down on the runway at 9:42 a.m., two water cannons shot arcs of mist into the sky. Scanning the scene, Ellen Kreisler decided to join the party. "I'm going to get some coffee," she said. Free food and beverages aside, the Kreislers were there to take advantage of JetBlue's lower fares. It is the eighth airline to fly daily out of the Richmond airport, and the second one that routinely offers budget prices. Air Tran, another economy airline, also flies out of Richmond. Ellen Kreisler doesn't mind that JetBlue's four daily nonstop flights to New York land at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which for her is slightly more inconvenient than LaGuardia Airport. "The price differential came out ahead, even with the increased cab fare," she said. The business community in Richmond worked hard to recruit JetBlue. Yesterday, Neeleman said he hopes all travelers in Richmond--business and pleasure--will support the airline. If they do, JetBlue can expand its roster of destinations from Richmond. And it will increase competition and lower fares across airlines. "Remember who brought you the low fares," Neeleman said. "It wasn't the incumbent guys here." JetBlue will add two daily, nonstop flights to Boston beginning April 6. Fares to Boston will range from $79 to $144 one-way. New York fares will be lower, ranging from $69 to $134 each way.
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