JetBlue has launched "The Real Deal" promotion surrounding New York City. The airline's summertime promotion is designed to celebrate the city's reopening. The airline will be offering New Yorkers exclusive access to weekly deals and experiences every Friday through August 6th. For those who are not based in the city, the opportunity is also there to take advantage of special fare offers on flights from select markets.

The "Real Deal" campaign

The "Real Deal" campaign launched on Friday, July 9th. The opportunities for New Yorkers are wide and offer access to weekly deals in a wide array of on-the-ground experiences. The Friday deals, curated with JetBlue's local partners, include:

  • Friday, July 9th: Discounts at the Nets Barclays Center Team Store for basketball fans, including special autographed gifts along with a purchase
  • Friday, July 16th: $5 off a mobile pick-up order at DIG
  • Friday, July 23rd: 50% off a glass of summer rose at New York hot spots Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones
  • Friday, July 30th: Exclusive access to a JetBlue-only Shakespeare in the Park ticket lottery
  • Friday, August 6th: 2-for-1 happy hour at the historic Stonewall Inn

There are also plenty of other offers available. Check out this link to see all the different offers. This includes wine tasting, tours, styling sessions, and more.

JetBlue's home

JetBlue calls New York home. The airline operates a large base at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and has a sizable presence at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Across the river in New Jersey, JetBlue has also been building up a base out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

JetBlue A321neo
JetBlue emphasizes its roots as a New York airline. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

New York City was heavily hit during the crisis. As the epicenter of the pandemic in the early months, the city quickly lost much of its flights. The situation in New York eventually improved, but then travel restrictions went into effect. The state required testing or quarantine for inbound travelers, which did not ease until the spring of this year when vaccinations began to roll out in earnest.

That hampered JetBlue's ability to bring back its flight schedule to the city. While it did add plenty of flying during the pandemic, JetBlue still has some room to go in New York.

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Airlines as travel agents

Faced with restrictions, uncertainty around travel, and ever-changing local mandates, airlines started to become travel agents during the pandemic. They launched various online tools and support options to aid travelers looking to book a vacation getaway. Much of that has continued.

JetBlue A320
JetBlue has been building up its portfolio of ancillary offerings for customers after they get off the plane. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

For example, in March, JetBlue announced the launch of "Paisly." This travel tool will suggest hotels, car rentals, and theme park offers to customers. It is not unusual for airlines to offer these kinds of bundles.

JetBlue is now taking the opportunity to highlight its hometown. The offers are certainly geared towards leisure travelers, and especially those who want to experience things on the ground in New York City.

Are you going to take advantage of the JetBlue promotional events? Let us know in the comments!