Q1 2026 JetBlue Airways Corp Earnings Call

April 28, 2026

Speaker #1: Good morning. My name is Krista, and I would like to welcome everyone to the JetBlue Airways Q4 2025 earnings conference call. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded.

Operator: Good morning. My name is Krista, and I would like to welcome everyone to the JetBlue Airways Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. I would now like to turn the call over to JetBlue's Director of Investor Relations, Koosh Patel. Please go ahead, sir.

Speaker #1: At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. I would now like to turn the call over to JETBLUE's Director of Investor Relations, Koosh Patel, please go ahead, sir.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Krista. Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us for our first quarter 2026 earnings call. This morning, we issued our earnings release and a presentation that we will reference during this call.

Koosh Patel: Thanks, Krista. Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us for our Q1 2026 earnings call. This morning, we issued our earnings release and a presentation that we will reference during this call. All of those documents are available on our website at investor.jetblue.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In New York to discuss our results are Joanna Geraghty, our Chief Executive Officer, Marty St. George, our President, and Ursula Hurley, our Chief Financial Officer. During today's call, we will make forward-looking statements about our outlook, strategy, and future performance. These statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Please refer to our earnings release and SEC filings for information about our factors that cause those differences. We may also discuss certain GAAP measures.

Speaker #2: All of those documents are available on our website, at investor.jetblue.com, and on the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. In New York, to discuss our results, our Joanna Geraghty, our Chief Executive Officer, Marty St.

Speaker #2: George, our President, and Ursula Hurley, our Chief Financial Officer. During today's call, we will make forward-looking statements about our outlook, strategy, and future performance.

Speaker #2: These statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially. Please refer to our earnings release and SEC filings for information about factors that can cause those differences.

Speaker #2: We may also discuss certain measures reconciliations to the most directly comparable gap measures are included in our earnings materials, and on our website. And now, I'd like to turn the call over to Joanna Geraghty, JETBLUE CEO.

Koosh Patel: Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in our earnings materials and on our website. Now I'd like to turn the call over to Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue's CEO.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Koosh. Good morning, and thank you for joining JETBLUE's first quarter 2026 earnings call. I want to begin by thanking our crew members for their continued dedication during what has been another challenging start to the year.

Joanna Geraghty: Thank you, Koosh. Good morning, and thank you for joining JetBlue's Q1 2026 earnings call. I want to begin by thanking our crew members for their continued dedication during what has been another challenging start to the year. I also want to recognize the TSA agents for their commitment during this shutdown. This Q1 included multiple winter storms and TSA disruptions, but through it all, we are grateful our teams remained focused on delivering a safe and reliable service for our customers. The conflict in the Middle East and its impact on fuel prices is the most significant headwind we face as an industry since COVID. Given the sharp increase in the price of fuel and the expectation for elevated prices throughout this year, we are suspending our prior full year guidance as we aggressively adjust to the evolving macro backdrop.

Speaker #3: And I also want to recognize the TSA agents for their commitment during this shutdown. This first quarter included multiple winter storms and TSA disruptions, but through it all, we are grateful our teams remain focused on delivering a safe and reliable service for our customers.

Speaker #3: The conflict in the Middle East and its impact on fuel prices is the most significant headwind we've faced as an industry since COVID. Given the sharp increase in the price of fuel, and the expectation for elevated prices throughout this year, we are suspending our prior full-year guidance as we aggressively adjust to the evolving macro backdrop.

Speaker #3: I want to be clear: suspending our full-year guidance reflects external factors alone and not a change in the strong progress of JETFORWARD. We have taken immediate action to offset fuel costs with our ultimate focus on minimizing the financial impact and preserving our liquidity position.

Joanna Geraghty: I want to be clear, suspending our full year guidance reflects external factors alone and not a change in the strong progress of JetForward. We have taken immediate action to offset fuel costs with our ultimate focus on minimizing the financial impact and preserving our liquidity position. The three primary levers available to us are adjusting fares to better align with input costs, moderating unproductive capacity, and pursuing additional cost savings opportunities. We're continuing to carefully balance our path to restoring profitability with meeting those expectations. Importantly, demand remains strong. As such, we've adjusted fares along with the industry over the last 2 months. Bookings have remained resilient amidst these changes, which is an encouraging sign.

Speaker #3: The three primary levers available to us are: adjusting fares to better align with input costs, moderating unproductive capacity, and pursuing additional cost-savings opportunities. We recognize that customers expect strong value from JetBlue, and we're continuing to carefully balance our path to restoring profitability with meeting those expectations.

Speaker #3: Importantly, demand remains strong. This backdrop allows us to recover some of the increase in fuel costs and, as such, we've adjusted fares along with the industry over the last two months.

Speaker #3: Bookings have remained resilient amidst these changes, which is an encouraging sign. However, the first quarter was already over 90% booked before fuel prices suddenly spiked.

Joanna Geraghty: However, the Q1 was already over 90% booked before fuel prices suddenly spiked, reducing the opportunity to immediately recapture the impact of this significant fuel increase. We expect 30% to 40% fuel recapture in the Q2 and plan to achieve 100% recapture by early 2027. Given the broader cost environment, we've also made targeted updates to ancillary fees such as checked bags. This allows us to better cover costs while keeping our base fares competitive. We will continue looking for additional ways to strengthen revenue performance throughout the rest of the year. At the same time, we are aggressively reducing capacity, targeting adjustments in off-peak and shoulder periods. We've acted quickly, reducing capacity by nearly 1 point versus close-in expectations in the Q2, with plans to reduce the H2 by at least 2 to 3 points.

Speaker #3: Reducing the opportunity to immediately recapture the impact of this significant fuel increase. We expect 30% to 40% fuel recapture in the second quarter, and plan to achieve 100% recapture by early 2027.

Speaker #3: Given the broader cost environment, we've also made targeted updates to ancillary fees, such as checked bags. This allows us to better cover costs while keeping our base fares competitive.

Speaker #3: We will continue looking for additional ways to strengthen revenue performance throughout the rest of the year. At the same time, we are aggressively reducing capacity.

Speaker #3: Targeting adjustments in off-peak and shoulder periods. We've acted quickly, reducing capacity by nearly 1 point versus close-in expectations in the second quarter. With plans to reduce the second half by at least 2 to 3 points.

Speaker #3: While we are able to reduce capacity closer in, as we've done, these decisions are more beneficial when made at least 60 days in advance to take even greater advantage of cost-saving opportunities.

Joanna Geraghty: While we are able to reduce capacity closer in, as we've done, these decisions are more beneficial when made at least 60 days in advance to take even greater advantage of cost savings opportunities. With demand continuing to remain strong, it's important we take a flexible approach to trimming capacity as we head into the peak summer season. We plan to closely monitor market conditions and expect to reduce additional capacity after the summer peak, assuming fuel prices remain elevated. In addition to managing capacity, we have opportunities to reduce other expenses and better align our cost profile with capacity. This includes efforts to reduce controllable spending and hiring, and in a lower capacity environment, we also expect savings on maintenance and other variable costs, such as landing fees.

Speaker #3: And with demand continuing to remain strong, it's important we take a flexible approach to trimming capacity as we head into the peak summer season.

Speaker #3: We plan to closely monitor market conditions and expect to reduce additional capacity after the summer peak, assuming fuel prices remain elevated. In addition to managing capacity, we have opportunities to reduce other expenses and better align our cost profile with capacity.

Speaker #3: This includes efforts to reduce controllable spending and hiring, and, in a lower capacity environment, we also expect savings on maintenance and other variable costs such as landing fees.

Speaker #3: As we meaningfully adjust capacity to address higher fuels, we are committed to pulling all levers available to mitigate potential upward pressure on unit costs.

Joanna Geraghty: As we meaningfully adjust capacity to address higher fuel, we are committed to pulling all levers available to mitigate potential upward pressure on unit costs. Alongside these efforts, we believe JetForward remains the right strategy to navigate us forward. Across each of our priority moves, reliable and caring service, best East Coast leader networks, products and perks customers value, and a secure financial future, we are seeing clear evidence that our strategy is working, and we remain on track to drive $310 million of incremental JetForward EBIT in 2026 and $850 to 950 million in 2027. As a reminder, we have transformational initiatives launching this year, including domestic first class, the continued implementation of our Blue Sky collaboration, and our second BlueHouse, which are expected to drive significant value for years to come.

Speaker #3: Alongside these efforts, we believe JETFORWARD remains the right strategy to navigate us forward. Across each of our priority moves—reliable and caring service, Best East Coast Leisure Networks, product and perks customers value, and a secure financial future—we are seeing clear evidence that our strategy is working, and we remain on track to drive $310 million of incremental JETFORWARD EBIT in 2026 and $850 to $950 million in 2027.

Speaker #3: And as a reminder, we have transformational initiatives launching this year, including domestic first-class, the continued implementation of our Blue Sky collaboration, and our second Blue House, which are expected to drive significant value for years to come.

Speaker #3: In closing, demand remains intact. Our JETFORWARD initiatives are performing, and we are actively managing levers within our control. I remain confident we have the right strategy and the right team to navigate yet another challenging year for the sector, even in the face of these macro factors.

Joanna Geraghty: In closing, demand remains intact. Our JetForward initiatives are performing, and we are actively managing levers within our control. I remain confident we have the right strategy and the right team to navigate yet another challenging year for the sector, even in the face of these macro factors. As we gain greater visibility into fuel and its impact on the macro environment, we will plan to provide an updated view on full-year expectations. I'll now turn it over to Marty.

Speaker #3: As we gain greater visibility into fuel and its impact on the macro environment, we will plan to provide an updated view on full-year expectations.

Speaker #3: I'll now turn it over to Marty.

Speaker #4: Thank you, Joanna, and thanks again to our crew members. We delivered strong RASM performance, a positive 6.5% in the first quarter, in line with our revised guidance, and exceeding the midpoint of our initial RASM range by 4.5 points.

Marty St. George: Thank you, Joanna, and thanks again to our crew members. We delivered strong RAS performance, a +6.5% in Q1, in line with our revised guidance and exceeding the midpoint of our initial RASM range by 4.5 points. The Caribbean airspace closure in January and Winter Storms Fern and Hernando combined to reduce capacity by nearly 4 points, which benefited our RAS performance by 2 points. The remaining 2.5 points of our RAS beat is a reflection of demand strength and the effectiveness of our JetForward initiatives. Demand trends strengthened as the quarter progressed. Importantly, that momentum has carried into Q2. We saw strength across the booking curve, both close in demand and further out, with improvements in both peak and trough periods.

Speaker #4: The Caribbean airspace closure in January and winter storms Fern and Hernando, combined to reduce capacity by nearly 4 points, which benefited our resume performance by 2 points.

Speaker #4: The remaining 2.5 points of our resume beat is a reflection of demand strength and the effectiveness of our JETFORWARD initiatives. Demand trends strengthened as the quarter progressed.

Speaker #4: And importantly, that momentum has carried into the second quarter. We saw strength across the booking curve, both close-in demand and further out, with improvements in both peak and trough periods.

Speaker #4: Premium continued to outperform core, with year-over-year premium resume better than core by 9 points in the first quarter. We are encouraged by improvements in core demand and resume, which is now strongly positive year over year.

Marty St. George: Premium continued to outperform core with year-over-year premium RASM better than core by 9 points in Q1. We are encouraged by improvements in core demand and RASM, which is now strongly positive year-over-year, reflecting a more balanced demand environment across our offerings relative to what we experienced last year. Delivering the differentiated JetBlue experience across each unique customer offering, meant EvenMore in core, remains a priority, reinforcing our commitment to all customers, not just select segments, even as fuel costs remain elevated. Lastly, while we saw strength in both domestic and international bookings, domestic has recovered meaningfully and year-over-year RASM outperformed international. Q1 RASM was also benefited by about 1.5 points from a shift of up-front Easter traffic into late March. This was a historic quarter for our loyalty program, highlighting the investments we've made in our product and operation.

Speaker #4: Reflecting a more balanced demand environment across our offerings, relative to what we experienced last year. Delivering the differentiated JETBLUE experience across each unique customer offering, meant even more in core, remains a priority.

Speaker #4: Reinforcing our commitment to all customers, not just select segments, even as fuel costs remain elevated. Lastly, while we saw strength in both domestic and international bookings, domestic has recovered meaningfully, and year-over-year, resume outperformed international.

Speaker #4: First quarter RASM was also benefited by about 1.5 points from the shift of upfront Eastern traffic into late March. This was a historic quarter for our loyalty program.

Speaker #4: Highlighting the investments we've made in our product and operation. Loyalty cash remuneration grew 19% year over year, driven by double-digit growth in spend on the JetBlue cards.

Marty St. George: Loyalty cash remuneration grew 19% year over year, driven by double-digit growth in spend on the JetBlue cards. In addition to record levels of spend and a 45% increase in card acquisitions, we achieved all-time highs for TrueBlue active members and attach rates. Blue Sky is also driving corporate sign-ups in our non-focused city geographies, reflecting the broader reach the collaboration brings to our loyalty program. We continue to add utility and value for our members in other ways this quarter, including the ability to use points for ancillary purchases, which is off to a very strong start. We also launched Family Tiles, an industry first that allows parents to earn status faster when traveling with their children. Finally, customers are responding exceptionally well to their BlueHouse at JFK, with NPS trending well above expectations and driving premium credit card sign-ups beyond our initial targets.

Speaker #4: In addition to record levels of spend and a 45% increase in card acquisitions, we achieved all-time highs for TrueBlue active members and attach rate.

Speaker #4: Blue Sky has also been driving comprehensive sign-ups in our non-focused city geographies, reflecting the broader reach that collaboration brings to our loyalty program. We continued to add utility and value for our members in other ways this quarter.

Speaker #4: Including the ability to use points for ancillary purchases, which is off to a very strong start. We also launched Family Tiles, an industry-first that allows parents to earn status faster when traveling with their children.

Speaker #4: Finally, customers are responding exceptionally well to our Blue House at JFK. With MPS trending well above expectations. And driving premium credit card sign-ups beyond our initial targets.

Speaker #4: We believe the opening of our next launch in Boston later this summer will yet further catalyst for premium growth, alongside the launch of domestic first-class, expected in the second half.

Marty St. George: We believe the opening of our next lounge in Boston later this summer will be a further catalyst for premium growth alongside the launch of domestic first class expected in H2. As these products and perks ramp and both new and existing members deepen their loyalty engagement, we expect meaningful sequential growth in loyalty revenue throughout the year. Strong customer response to our strategic growth in Fort Lauderdale drove Q1 RASM growth of 5%, even with capacity growth of 23%.

Speaker #4: As these products and perks ramp, and both new and existing members deepen their loyalty engagement, we expect meaningful sequential growth in loyalty revenue throughout the year.

Speaker #4: Strong customer response to our strategic growth in Fort Lauderdale drove first quarter resume growth of 5%, even with capacity growth of 23%. In late March, we announced another round of additional service from Fort Lauderdale.

Marty St. George: In late March, we announced another round of additional service from Fort Lauderdale, 1 new destination to Cleveland, and added frequencies on 9 routes where customers want more choices where they fly. With the addition of Cleveland, JetBlue will have launched nonstop service to 21 cities and increased frequency on over 20 high-demand markets from Fort Lauderdale over the past year, further strengthening our investment in building depth and connectivity in Florida's biggest premium market. Through our recent growth and competitive reductions, we've been able to take advantage of newly available gate space to build a schedule with 4 connecting banks beginning this summer, up from 2 banks previously. This provides our customers in the Northeast with significantly more opportunities to connect to our growing portfolio of destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Speaker #4: One new destination to Cleveland and an added frequency on nine routes where customers want more choices where they fly. With the addition of Cleveland, JetBlue will have launched nonstop service to 21 cities and increased frequency on over 20 high-demand markets from Fort Lauderdale over the past year.

Speaker #4: Further strengthening our investment in building depth and connectivity in Florida's biggest premium market. Through our recent growth and competitive reductions, we've been able to take advantage of the newly available gate space to build a schedule with four connecting banks beginning this summer, up from two banks previously.

Speaker #4: This provides our customers in the Northeast with significantly more opportunities to connect to our growing portfolio of destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Speaker #4: We remain excited about the long-term opportunity in this focus city and continue to view it, in addition to key leisure destinations across the state of Florida, as an essential component of our network strategy.

Marty St. George: We remain excited about the long-term opportunity in this focus city and continue to view it, in addition to key leisure destinations across the state of Florida, as an essential component of our network strategy. We've now grown to 11 destinations in Florida following the launch of service to Destin-Fort Walton Beach from both New York and Boston in Q1. Blue Sky reached a new milestone in Q1 with the launch of interline flight sales with United. We are encouraged by the early results we're already seeing and are excited by the new opportunities we expect this collaboration to bring to our customers. This quarter, reciprocal loyalty benefits across Mosaic and MileagePlus tiers are expected to turn on, in addition to sales of rental cars through our Paisly platform.

Speaker #4: We've now grown to 11 destinations in Florida, following the launch of service to Fort Walton Beach from both New York and Boston in the first quarter.

Speaker #4: Blue Sky reached a new milestone in the first quarter with the launch of interline flight sales with United. We are encouraged by the early results we're already seeing and are excited by the new opportunities we expect this collaboration to bring to our customers.

Speaker #4: This quarter, reciprocal loyalty benefits across Mosaic and Mileage Plus tiers are expected to turn on, in addition to sales of rental cars through our PayZ platform.

Speaker #4: The second quarter, we expect continued strength in resume supported by a sustained demand trend and progress from our JETFORWARD initiatives. This quarter is anchored by peak periods in early April, late May, and late June.

Marty St. George: For the Q2, we expect continued strength in RASM, supported by sustained demand trends and progress from our JetForward initiatives. This quarter is anchored by peak periods in early April, late May, and late June. The Easter outbound shift represents a Q2 headwind of about 1.5 points of RASM. As a result, we expect RASM to grow 7% to 11% year over year on 1.5% to 4.5% more capacity. Our investments in Fort Lauderdale now comprise all of our Q2 capacity growth. We are taking a similar approach to guiding RASM as we have in the past, guided to what we see today, which points to a sustained level of strong yields and loads for the remainder of the quarter.

Speaker #4: The Eastern upbound shift represents a second quarter headwind of about 1.5 points of resume. As a result, we expect resume to grow 7 to 11 percent year over year, on 1.5 to 4.5 percent more capacity.

Speaker #4: Our investments in Fort Lauderdale now comprise all of our second quarter capacity growth. We are taking a similar approach to guiding resume as we have in the past, guiding to what we see today.

Speaker #4: This points to a sustained level of strong yields and loads for the remainder of the quarter. As we progress through the quarter, we plan to monitor the demand environment for opportunities to continue optimizing yields to help offset fuel costs.

Marty St. George: As we progress through Q2, we plan to monitor the demand environment for opportunities to continue optimizing yields to help offset fuel costs. As of today, over 2/3 of Q2's revenue is on the books. As Joanna mentioned, our Q2 RASM guidance implies that we capture 30% to 40% of the fuel cost increases versus our initial plan for Q2. We are encouraged by the demand trends we're seeing and believe we are well-positioned to generate significant RASM growth this Q2 as we head into the summer peak travel season. Now I will turn it over to Ursula.

Speaker #4: As of today, over two-thirds of the quarter's revenues are on the books, and as Joanna mentioned, our second quarter, or Q2, guidance implies we recapture 30 to 40 percent of the fuel cost increases versus our initial plan for the quarter.

Speaker #4: We are encouraged by the are well positioned to generate significant resume growth this quarter as we head into the summer peak travel season. Now I will turn it over to Ursula.

Speaker #5: Thank you, Marty. As Joanna mentioned, the start to 2026 was marked by a dynamic operating environment and macro backdrop. The industry climate seems to be evolving every day, and we are responding quickly to position JETBLUE to achieve our financial priorities.

Ursula Hurley: Thank you, Marty. As Joanna mentioned, the start to 2026 was marked by a dynamic operating environment and macro backdrop. The industry climate seems to be evolving every day, and we are responding quickly to position JetBlue to achieve our financial priorities. For example, we've actioned several capacity reductions across the Q2 and plan to stay nimble in the H2 of the year. At the same time, we are prioritizing capacity investments in our Fort Lauderdale focus city, where customer response has been strong and the resulting RASM is performing extremely well. Our underlying business is clearly improving, with a roughly 5-point spread between RASM and CASM ex expected at the midpoint of our guidance ranges this quarter. We haven't seen a gap like this in years, and it reflects strong demand for our product, better cost discipline, and real momentum from our JetForward initiatives.

Speaker #5: For example, we've actioned several capacity reductions across the second quarter and plan to stay nimble in the second half of the year. At the same time, we are prioritizing capacity investments in our Fort Lauderdale-focused city where customer response has been strong and the resulting resume is performing extremely well.

Speaker #5: Our underlying business is clearly improving. With a roughly 5-point point spread between resume and CASMX expected at the midpoint of our guidance ranges this quarter.

Speaker #5: We haven't seen a gap like this in years, and it reflects strong demand for our product better cost discipline and real momentum from our JETFORWARD initiatives.

Speaker #5: During the first quarter, CASMX fuel growth finished up 6.6 percent, 4 points of which was due to close-in capacity reductions from the operational disruptions.

Ursula Hurley: During Q1, CASM ex-fuel growth finished up 6.6%, 4 points of which was due to close-in capacity reductions from the operational disruptions. Without these impacts, CASM-ex would have finished up 2.5% or 2 points better than our initial midpoint. 1 point of this beat was due to cost-saving efforts, while 1 point of spend is expected to shift into the remainder of the year. For Q2, we expect CASM ex-fuel to increase in the range of 3% to 5% year-over-year. We continue to expect CASM ex-fuel growth to moderate down during H2, with over 2 points less unit cost growth than H1. Although this remains subject to how the price of fuel evolves in the coming months and our final capacity levels.

Speaker #5: Without these impacts, CASMX would have finished up 2.5 percent or 2 points better than our initial midpoint. One point of this beat was due to cost-saving efforts, while one point of spend is expected to shift into the remainder of the year.

Speaker #5: For the second quarter, we expect CASMX fuel to increase in the range of 3 to 5 percent year over year. We continue to expect CASMX fuel growth to moderate down during the second half of the year, with over 2 points less unit cost growth than the first half.

Speaker #5: Although this remains subject to how the price of fuel evolves in the coming months in our final capacity levels. Average fuel price for the first quarter was $2.96.

Ursula Hurley: Average fuel price for Q1 was $2.96, 26% higher than the midpoint of our initial guidance. We expect Q2 fuel price to be in the range of $4.13 to $4.28, with the midpoint 75% higher year over year, which is derived from the forward Brent curve as of 10 April. As a reminder, every $0.10 increase or decrease in fuel price is the equivalent to about $85 million of expense for the full year. To help offset a portion of fuel costs, we continue to focus on our fuel efficiency programs, with 30% of our Q2 capacity powered by more fuel-efficient new engine technology, supporting a targeted 5% fuel efficiency improvement over the last three years.

Speaker #5: 26 percent higher than the midpoint of our initial guidance. We expect second quarter fuel price to be in the range of $4.13 to $4.28, with the midpoint 75 percent higher year over year.

Speaker #5: Which is derived from the forward rent curve as of April 10th. As a reminder, every $0.10 increase or decrease in fuel price is the equivalent to about $85 million of expense for the full year.

Speaker #5: To help offset a portion of fuel costs, we continue to focus on our fuel efficiency programs. With 30 percent of our second quarter capacity powered by more fuel-efficient new engine technology, supporting a targeted 5 percent fuel efficiency improvement over the last three years.

Speaker #5: With oil and crack spreads expected to remain elevated for a sustained period, we are actioning incremental cost reductions beyond capacity cuts to mitigate the impact.

Ursula Hurley: With oil and crack spreads expected to remain elevated for a sustained period, we are actioning incremental cost reductions beyond capacity cuts to mitigate the impact. These include reducing spend across both OpEx and CapEx, slowing hiring in some work groups to better align with our capacity expectations. At the same time, we are executing on our structural cost initiatives under JetForward, including rolling out new technology and AI to support improved planning for our crew and operations, launching a sourcing center of excellence to further optimize contract spends with business partners, and implementing more efficient insourcing and outsourcing opportunities across the business. Taken together, we expect our near-term cost reduction efforts and our JetForward cost initiatives to support strong cost control this year.

Speaker #5: These include reducing spend across both OPEX and CAPEX and slowing hiring in some work groups to better align with our capacity expectations. At the same time, we are executing on our structural cost initiatives under JETFORWARD, including rolling out new technology and AI to support improved planning for our crew and operation, launching a sourcing center of excellence to further optimize contracts, spend with business partners, and implementing more efficient in-sourcing and outsourcing opportunities across the business.

Speaker #5: Taken together, we expect our near-term cost reduction efforts and our JETFORWARD cost initiatives to support strong, cost-controlled this year. While we did suspend our full-year CASMX fuel guidance, we expect its historical relationship to capacity to continue this year.

Ursula Hurley: While we did suspend our full-year CASM ex-fuel guidance, we expect its historical relationship to capacity to continue this year, which implies roughly flat CASM ex-fuel on mid to high single-digit capacity growth. Turning to our fleet and capital expenditures. In Q1, capital expenditures totaled $141 million, $59 million lower than our initial guidance due to timing shift of deliveries. Looking ahead, we expect approximately $275 million of capital expenditures in Q2 and approximately $800 million in 2026. There has been a slight shift to our A220 deliveries. We now expect 12 total aircraft deliveries this year, down from our January guidance of 14 aircraft. As previously discussed, we expect CapEx to remain below $1 billion annually through the end of the decade. Shifting to our balance sheet.

Speaker #5: Which implies roughly flat CASMX fuel on mid to high single-digit capacity growth. Turning to our fleet and capital expenditures, in the first quarter, capital expenditures totaled $141 million.

Speaker #5: 59 million lower than our initial guidance due to timing shift of deliveries. Looking ahead, we expect approximately $275 million of capital expenditures in the second quarter and approximately $800 million in 2026.

Speaker #5: There has been a slight shift to our A220 deliveries, and we now expect 12 total aircraft deliveries this year, down from our January guidance of 14 aircraft.

Speaker #5: And as previously discussed, we expect CAPEX to remain below $1 billion annually through the end of the decade. Shifting to our balance sheet, we believe our unencumbered asset-based and liquidity help us successfully manage through industry shocks like these.

Ursula Hurley: We believe our unencumbered asset base and liquidity help us successfully manage through industry shocks like these, and I am pleased with the runway we've built for JetBlue. We raised over $3 billion back in 2024 to secure our financial future and give JetForward a runway to perform. The cash we have on hand as a result is a valuable cushion in this volatile high-fuel environment. We ended the quarter with $2.4 billion of liquidity or 26% of trailing twelve-month revenue, above our liquidity target of 17% to 20%. This excludes our $600 million undrawn revolving credit facility. Earlier this month, we raised $500 million secured by aircraft collateral with an accordion feature that allows us to upsize to $750 million. We plan to reassess our funding needs as the year progresses.

Speaker #5: And I am pleased with the runway we've built for JETBLUE. We've raised over $3 billion back in 2024 to secure our financial future and give JETFORWARD a runway to perform.

Speaker #5: And the cash we have on hand as a result is a valuable cushion in this volatile, high-fuel environment. We ended the quarter with 2.4 billion of liquidity, or 26 percent of trailing 12-month revenue.

Speaker #5: Above our liquidity target of 17 to 20 percent. This excludes our $600 million undrawn revolving credit facility. Earlier this month, we raised $500 million secured by aircraft collateral with an accordion feature that allows us to upsize to $750 million.

Speaker #5: We plan to reassess our funding needs as the year progresses. We also recently repaid the remaining $325 million of our 2021 convertible notes. Lastly, following this month's capital raise, our unencumbered asset base remains over $6 billion.

Ursula Hurley: We also recently repaid the remaining $325 million of our 2021 convertible notes. Lastly, following this month's capital raise, our unencumbered asset base remains over $6 billion, with approximately a quarter in tangible collateral. Our priority remains maintaining a strong liquidity position and ensuring JetForward has the runway to perform. To wrap up, the environment we are operating in is challenging and volatile. We are focused on taking swift action and executing on our JetForward strategy to put JetBlue in a position to restore operating profitability when the environment has normalized. We have taken meaningful action across the three main levers we control, fares, capacity, and costs, and we are pleased with the early results of these actions.

Speaker #5: With approximately a quarter in tangible collateral, our priority remains maintaining a strong liquidity position and ensuring JETFORWARD has the runway to perform. To wrap up, the environment we are operating in is challenging and volatile.

Speaker #5: We are focused on taking swift action and executing on our JETFORWARD strategy to put JETBLUE in a position to restore operating profitability when the environment has normalized.

Speaker #5: We have taken meaningful action across the three main levers we control: fares, capacity, and cost. And we are pleased with the early results of these actions.

Speaker #5: We remain encouraged by the underlying performance of the business and our confidence that JETFORWARD is the right plan to navigate this challenging environment and deliver value for our shareholders.

Ursula Hurley: We remain encouraged by the underlying performance of the business and are confident that JetForward is the right plan to navigate this challenging environment and deliver value for our shareholders. With that, we will now take your questions.

Speaker #5: With that, we will now take your question.

Speaker #6: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue.

Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue. If you'd like to withdraw that question, again, press star one. We also ask that you limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. For any additional questions, please re-queue. Your first question comes from Michael Linenberg with Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: And if you'd like to withdraw that question, again, press star one. We also ask that you limit yourself to one question and one follow-up.

Speaker #6: For any additional questions, please requeue. And your first question comes from Mike Linenberg, with Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: yeah, hey, two questions here. with respect to your domestic first-class, have you actually started selling that for the back part of the year? And if you are, can you just give us a sense of what the initial uptake looks like?

Michael Linenberg: Two questions here. With respect to your domestic first class, have you actually started selling that for the back part of the year? If you are, can you just give us a sense of what the initial uptake looks like?

Mike Linenberg: Two questions here. With respect to your domestic first class, have you actually started selling that for the back part of the year? If you are, can you just give us a sense of what the initial uptake looks like?

Speaker #8: Hi, thanks for the question, Mike. No, we have not begun selling it yet. we want to wait till we understand fully the, implementation timeline.

Marty St. George: Hi, thanks for the question, Mike. No, we have not begun selling it yet. We wanna wait till we understand fully the implementation timeline. As we said, it was gonna come in H2 2026, and we're still on track for that to happen, but we will announce the over sale date when we know the first plane is gonna be out there for sale.

Speaker #8: as we said, it was going to come in second half of 2026, and we're still on track for that to happen. But, we will announce the open for sale date when we know the first plans will be out there for sale.

Speaker #9: We're currently going through the certification process.

Ursula Hurley: We're currently going through the certification process.

Speaker #7: Okay, great. And then just my second question, probably to you, Joanne, there appears to be, like, a subset of the industry that, among other things, is requesting a suspension of the ticket tax and, given that that is a user fee to fund the system, could we be in a situation where half the industry is, I don't know, subsidizing the use of the system for the benefit of the other?

Michael Linenberg: Okay, great. Just my second question, probably to you, Joanna. There appears to be like a subset of the industry that, among other things, is requesting a suspension of the ticket tax, and given that that is a user fee to fund the system, could we be in a situation where half the industry is, I don't know, subsidizing the use of the system for the benefit of the other? Is that even something like that even possible? I'm just curious about your thoughts about that. Thanks for taking my question.

Mike Linenberg: Okay, great. Just my second question, probably to you, Joanna. There appears to be like a subset of the industry that, among other things, is requesting a suspension of the ticket tax, and given that that is a user fee to fund the system, could we be in a situation where half the industry is, I don't know, subsidizing the use of the system for the benefit of the other? Is that even something like that even possible? I'm just curious about your thoughts about that. Thanks for taking my question.

Speaker #7: Is that even—is something like that even possible? I'm just curious about your thoughts on that. Thanks for taking my question.

Speaker #9: Yeah, not entirely sure. Maybe the fuel excise tax you're speaking about, but yeah, no, I mean, at the end of the day, if it were to apply to, you know, one carrier, we're presumably need to apply to everybody.

Joanna Geraghty: Yeah, not entirely sure maybe the fuel excise tax you're speaking about. Yeah, no, I mean, at the end of the day, if it were to apply to, you know, one carrier, it would presumably need to apply to everybody. The numbers associated with that, we looked at that early on, aren't significant. I mean, you know, every dollar counts, but it ultimately was, you know, somewhere in the area of $20 million, $25 million annually for JetBlue.

Speaker #9: The numbers associated with that, we've looked at that early on, aren't significant. I mean, it's, you know, every dollar counts, but it ultimately was, you know, somewhere in the area of 20, 25 million annually.

Speaker #9: For JETBLUE.

Speaker #7: Okay. Okay.

Jamie Baker: Okay. Okay.

Mike Linenberg: Okay. Okay.

Speaker #9: That's the tax, yeah.

Joanna Geraghty: That's the best guess, yeah.

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Speaker #8: I, I will put my own ad in there, which is the ticket tax. We, as an industry, view this as a very unfair tax because we way overpay versus private aviation, so I would love for it to be reformed for other reasons, but I'm not sure this is a reason.

Jamie Baker: Thank you.

Mike Linenberg: Thank you.

Jamie Baker: I will put my own ad in there, which the ticket tax is we as an industry view this as a very unfair tax because we way overpay versus private aviation. I would love for it to be reformed for other reasons, but I'm not sure this is a reason.

Marty St. George: I will put my own ad in there, which the ticket tax is we as an industry view this as a very unfair tax because we way overpay versus private aviation. I would love for it to be reformed for other reasons, but I'm not sure this is a reason.

Speaker #6: You know, our next question comes from the line of Connor Cunningham with Melius Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Conor Cunningham with Melius Research. Please go ahead.

Speaker #10: Hi, everyone. Thank you. I'm trying to understand the comment that you were 90% booked in one queue when JETBLUE started to move up. And just what that means to sequentials.

Conor Cunningham: Hi, everyone. Thank you. I'm trying to understand the comment that you were 90% booked in Q1 when jet fuel started to move up and just what that means to sequentials. Again, I realize you expect 30% to 40% recapture, but I would think that the fact that I think there's been, what, 6 industry fare increases that the uplift in revenue would have been a little bit better in the Q2. If you could just talk about what's going on there on the sequential step-up. I realize the capacity is stepping up with it, but just any thoughts. Thank you.

Speaker #10: Again, I realize you expect 30 to 40 percent recapture, but I would think that the fact that I think there's been, what, six industry fare increases, that the uplift in revenue would have been a little bit better in the two queues.

Speaker #10: So if you could just talk about what's going on there, on the sequential step up. I realize the capacity's stepping up with it, but just any thoughts.

Speaker #10: Thank you.

Speaker #8: Yeah, no, hey, Connor, thanks. The question the comment was about when that right now we're 90% booked for the second quarter. so we've got another 10% of revenue to come.

Marty St. George: Yeah, no, hey, Conor, thanks. The comment was about right now we're 90% booked for Q2. We've got another 10% of the revenue to come. That was not the number on 31 March or 30 March, whenever fuel spiked. If I have that right.

Speaker #8: That was not the number that was not the number on March 31st or March 30th, whenever fuel spiked. If I have that right. Wait, I'm.

Joanna Geraghty: No, Q1, we were 90%.

Speaker #9: No, one queue, we were 90%. Yeah, one queue, we were 90% booked because, remember, fuel spiked in early March. We were 90% already booked for one queue.

Marty St. George: Oh, one Q, sorry.

Joanna Geraghty: Yeah, Q1, we were 90% booked because remember, fuel spiked in early March. We were 90% already booked for Q1. You aren't able to recapture with those fare increase some of the bookings because they were booked in January and February at a lower price. Everybody would have been largely in the same position as us because there were already bookings that had taken place for Q1. Headline, I don't think there's no news there. It's just saying we aren't able in Q1 to take advantage of the fare increases because people had already bought fares at the lower prices. Going forward, once those fare increases started going in, very different story.

Speaker #9: So you aren't able to recapture with those fare increase. Some of the bookings because they were booked in January and February at a lower price.

Speaker #9: So everybody would have been largely in the same position as us because they were already bookings that had taken place for one queue. So headline, I don't think there's no news there.

Speaker #9: It's just saying we aren't able in one queue to take advantage of the fare increases because people had already bought fares at the lower prices, going forward once those fare increases started going in very different stories.

Speaker #7: Okay. helpful. And then Ursula, maybe you could I mean, I think you have a $6 billion of unencumbered assets. I realize you probably don't want to touch that quite yet, but if you could just talk about the accordion that you have within that current structure, what scenarios you would see yourself looking to tap that $250 million just in general.

Conor Cunningham: Okay, helpful. Ursula, I mean, I think you have $6 billion of unencumbered assets. I realize you probably don't want to touch that quite yet, but if you could just talk about the accordion that you have within that current structure, what scenarios you would see yourself looking to tap that $250 million just in general. Thank you.

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Speaker #9: Thanks for the question, Connor. So, extremely pleased with where we ended the quarter in terms of liquidity. Our target is the 17 to 20 percent.

Ursula Hurley: Thanks for the question, Conor. Extremely pleased with where we ended the quarter in terms of liquidity. Our target is the 17% to 20%. We ended the quarter at 26%. We still have a cushion. Our original 2026 plan assumed that we would raise $500 million this year. We executed a deal utilizing aircraft to lock that in. We've drawn on a portion of that already, and we'll draw on the second portion later this year. We obviously did build in that flexibility in the accordion. We do have an incremental $250 million that we can draw on. Given the magnitude of the fuel price impact that we're seeing in the business, we will most likely draw down on that in order to maintain our 17% to 20% liquidity target.

Speaker #9: We ended the quarter at 26%. So we still have a cushion. Our original 2026 plan assumed that we would raise $500 million this year.

Speaker #9: We executed a deal utilizing aircraft to lock that in. We've drawn on a portion of that already, and we'll draw on the second portion later this year.

Speaker #9: We obviously did build in that flexibility in the accordion. So we do have an incremental 200 and 50 million that we can draw on.

Speaker #9: Given the magnitude of the fuel price impact that we're seeing in the business, we will most likely draw down on that in order to maintain our 17 to 20 percent liquidity target.

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Conor Cunningham: Thank you.

Speaker #6: Your next question comes from the line of Dan McKenzie. From Seaport Global, please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Dan McKenzie from Seaport Global. Please go ahead.

Speaker #11: Oh, hey, good morning. just, Ursula, following up on that last question, what additional cash could potentially be raised from extracting equity from deliveries or just aircraft financing?

Dan McKenzie: Oh, hey, good morning. Ursula, following up on that last question, what additional cash could potentially be raised from extracting equity from deliveries or just aircraft financing? You know, under, you know, what scenarios, you know, might you wanna raise additional capital beyond that accordion?

Speaker #11: And, you know, under, you know, what scenarios might you want to raise additional capital beyond that accordion?

Speaker #9: Yeah, thanks for the question, Dan. So our target is 17 to 20 percent liquidity. So I feel comfortable staying within that range. The aircraft that we're purchasing, this year, there's 12 of them that are coming.

Ursula Hurley: Thanks for the question, Dan. Our target is 17% to 20% liquidity. I feel comfortable staying within that range. The aircraft that we're purchasing this year, there's 12 of them that are coming, we're assuming we purchase those with cash. If we are at risk of falling below our liquidity level, we could decide to lever up those new deliveries. As I mentioned in my script, we currently have a healthy unencumbered asset base of the 6 billion. Of the 6 billion, about 30% is incremental aircraft and engines that we currently have on property. And then we also have our slot gates and routes. We have our brand, we have incremental loyalty that we can do. We have options.

Speaker #9: We're assuming we purchase those with cash. So if we are at risk of falling below our liquidity level, we could decide to lever up those new deliveries but, as I mentioned in my script, we also have we currently have a healthy unencumbered asset base of the $6 billion.

Speaker #9: So of the $6 billion, about 30% is incremental aircraft and engines that we currently have on property. And then we also have our slot skates and routes.

Speaker #9: We have our brand. We have incremental loyalty that we can do. So we have options, and so if we're at risk of falling below our liquidity target, we'll assess all markets and look at all of our collateral and decide what would be the most effective, yeah.

Ursula Hurley: If we're at risk of falling below our liquidity target, we'll assess all markets and look at all of our collateral and decide what would be the most effective.

Speaker #11: thanks for that. And then second question here, you know, I think maybe for Dave or Marty, just going back to the script here, two points of RASMB from Stronger Than Expected Demand and demand that sort of accelerated at the end of the quarter.

Dan McKenzie: Thanks for that. Second question here, you know, I think maybe for Dave or Marty, just going back to the script here, 2 points of RASM and BE from stronger than expected demand and demand that sort of accelerated at the end of the quarter. I suspect demand at the end of the quarter was worth more than 2 points of RASM and BE. My question really is what's driving that? How sustainable is it? At what point would you expect demand to be more elastic?

Speaker #11: So I suspect demand at the end of the quarter was more than was worth more than two points of RASMB. But my question really is, what's driving that?

Speaker #11: How sustainable is it? And at what point would you expect demand to be more elastic?

Speaker #8: hey, Dan. Thanks for the question. I'd say two things. I mean, I think if you look at the fourth quarter, when we get our fourth quarter call three months ago, we did call out that, you know, we had revenue performance accelerating through the end of 2025.

Marty St. George: Hey, Dan. Thanks for the question. I'd say two things. I mean, I think if you look at the Q4, when we did our Q4 call, 3 months ago, we did call out that, you know, we had revenue performance accelerating through the end of 2025. I think what we saw in early 2026 is just consistent with what we'd seen in general. With respect to the current revenue environment, I think it's clear the revenue environment has been extremely robust, even in the face of, you know, pretty high fare increases. Frankly, I think that what you see in the industry right now is that air travel is still at a really, really good value.

Speaker #8: So I think what we saw in early '26 is just consistent with what we'd seen in general. with respect to the current revenue environment, I think it's clear that, the revenue environment has been extremely robust even in the face of, you know, pretty high fare increases.

Speaker #8: And frankly, I think that what you see in the industry right now is that air travel is still a really, really good value. The A4A put out a document in the last couple of months or so looking at price changes from 2019 until 2026.

Marty St. George: The Airlines for America put out a document last couple of months or so looking at price changes from 2019 until 2026. They're looking at 20, 30 different commodities. Air travel was the only one where prices are actually down from 2019. You know, eggs up 96%, air travel down 3%. And frankly, I look at this and I realize we still offer a really good value, and especially JetBlue, who's focused on, you know, the more, you know, lower fare part of the business. And I'll, you know, use the metaphor that we use here all the time, which is, it is very common that you can fly. In fact, we just looked a little bit ago.

Speaker #8: They're looking at 20, 30 different commodities. air travel was the only one where prices were actually down from 2019. you know, eggs up 96%, air travel down 3%.

Speaker #8: and frankly, I look at this and I realize we still offer a really good value, and especially JETBLUE, who's focused on, you know, the more, you know, lower fare part of the business.

Speaker #8: and I'll, you know, use the metaphor that we use here all the time, which is, it is very common that you can fly, in fact, we just looked at it a little bit ago, you can fly, I think the first couple of weeks of June, you can fly from Orlando to JFK for cheaper than it takes to take an Uber from JFK to Midtown.

Marty St. George: You can fly, I think, the first couple of weeks of June, you can fly from Orlando to JFK for cheaper than it takes to take an Uber from JFK to Midtown. Air travel is still a fantastic good value. Honestly, with the quality of JetBlue, I think demand has held up very, very well for us. We're very happy. Back to the point I made earlier, you know, even with the price increases, we still see economy demand strong and actually positive unit revenue in the economy cabins. I think it's actually very good for us.

Speaker #8: So air travel is still a fantastic good value. And honestly, with the quality of JETBLUE, I think demand has held up very, very well for us.

Speaker #8: So we're very happy. But back to the point I made earlier, you know, even with the price increases, we still see economy demand strong, and actually positive unit revenue in the economy cabin.

Speaker #8: So, I think that's actually very good for us.

Speaker #9: Maybe I'll just add, our JETFORD initiatives, we do see them contributing to this when you think about product loyalty and merchandising. They're driving stronger engagement and yield performance.

Joanna Geraghty: Maybe I'll just add our JetForward initiatives, we do see them contributing to this. When you think about product loyalty and merchandising, they're driving stronger engagement and yield performance. Our co-brand acquisitions are up, so elements of the strategy are also contributing to this stronger environment specific to JetBlue.

Speaker #9: Our COBRA and acquisitions are up. So, elements of the strategy are also contributing to this stronger environment specific to JETBLUE.

Speaker #11: Yeah, perfect. Thanks, guys.

Dan McKenzie: Yeah. Perfect. Thanks, guys.

Speaker #6: Your next question comes from the line of Jamie Baker with JPMorgan. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Jamie Baker with J.P. Morgan. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Jamie Baker with JPMorgan. Please go ahead.

Speaker #12: Oh, hey, good morning, everybody. So Marty, JETBLUE ordinarily generates less revenue in the third quarter relative to the second quarter. And of course, you know, there's a positive Easter benefit in this year's second quarter.

Jamie Baker: Good morning, everybody. Marty, JetBlue ordinarily generates less revenue in Q3 relative to Q2. Of course, you know, there's a positive Easter benefit in this year's Q2. I guess that, you know, makes the comparison even tougher. There's significant yield momentum right now. Fuel recapture improves over time. What probability would you ascribe, I'm not asking for a guide, but what probability would you ascribe to Q3 revenue being higher than that of Q2? Is that simply off the table? No way.

Speaker #12: I guess that, you know, makes the comparison even tougher. But there's significant yield momentum right now. Fuel recapture improves over time. What probability would you ascribe I'm not asking for a guide, but what probability would you ascribe to third quarter revenue being higher than that of second quarter?

Speaker #12: Or is that simply off the table? No way.

Speaker #8: I'd say a couple of things. First of all, if you for someone not asking for a guide, you seem to be asking for a guide.

Marty St. George: I'd say a couple of things. First of all, if you for someone not asking for a guide, you seem to be asking for a guide. You can see-

Speaker #8: and usually the answer.

Speaker #12: I'm asking for a probability. If you want to give me a number, I'm just asking for a probability.

Jamie Baker: I'm asking for a probability. If you want to give me a number, I'm just asking for a probability.

Marty St. George: No, we've not guided Q3. We're not going to guide Q3. I will say that, you know, based on what we're seeing in the demand environment right now, we remain optimistic that, you know, we will continue as the year progresses to start recovering more and more of the increased price of fuel. Obviously, you know, we need to recover more than that because so many of our other inputs have gone up. I think we feel very optimistic of what we're seeing with demand. A second thing is, you know, certainly for the last month of Q3, you know, we've talked about capacity cuts.

Speaker #8: No, we've not got a third quarter. We're not going to get a third quarter. But I will say that, you know, based on what we're seeing in the demand environment right now, we remain optimistic that, you know, we will continue as the year progresses to start recovering more and more, of the increased price of fuel.

Speaker #8: Now, obviously, you know, we need to recover more than that because so many of our other inputs have gone up. But I think we feel very optimistic of what we're seeing with demand.

Speaker #8: Second thing is, you know, certainly for the last month of the third quarter, you know, we've talked about capacity cuts. I mean, we've as far as our internal planning, we've taken two to three points out of our, second half supply.

Marty St. George: I mean, we've, as far as our internal planning, we've taken 2 to 3 points out of our H2 supply, very much focused, and are concentrated more on the September through December period. We're assuming fuel prices at the current curve, and because of that, there's certainly capacity that we think will not be economical. I think that's also very much contributory to a good revenue environment. I will not go as far as giving you a guide or probability or any sort of percentages, but I'd say that as of now, we are very happy with the demand environment we're seeing, and not just in the premium cab, but also in coach.

Speaker #8: Very much focused and concentrated more on the September through December period. we're assuming fuel prices at the current curve. and because of that, there's certainly capacity that we think will not be economical.

Speaker #8: And I think that's also very much contributory to a good revenue environment. So I will not go as far as giving you a guide or probability.

Speaker #8: Or any sort of percentages. But I'd say that as of now, we are very happy with the demand environment we're seeing—not just in the premium cabin, but also in coach.

Jamie Baker: You're saying there's a chance. Sorry. Second, Joanna, you know, you're not an official member of this association for value airlines, but I've seen varying press reports that maybe you did participate in the recent two and a half billion dollar bailout request. Can you just clarify and kind of bring us up to speed in general, your thoughts as to selective government bailouts? Thanks.

Speaker #12: So you're saying there's a chance. Sorry. So and then second, Joanna, you know, you're not an official member of this, association for value airlines.

Speaker #12: But I've seen varying press reports that maybe you did participate. In the recent two and a half billion dollar bailout request. Can you just clarify and kind of bring us up to speed in general your thoughts as to selective government bailouts?

Speaker #12: Thanks.

Joanna Geraghty: Yeah, thanks. You know, I think maybe high level, it's no secret that I think the last administration definitely contributed to a disadvantage in the industry, whether it's, you know, Spirit and JetBlue's proposed merger or the blocking of the NEA. You know, I think that's obviously contributing to a sector that is, you know, less resilient compared to some of the larger carriers. You know, we're in a bit of a different position because we have obviously a very healthy uncovered asset base and strong liquidity. You know, never say never. We're open to anything and everything, assuming the terms would make sense for JetBlue.

Speaker #9: Yeah, thanks. you know, I think maybe high level, it's no secret that I think the last administration definitely contributed to a disadvantage in the industry, whether it's, you know, Spirit, JETBLUE's proposed merger or the blocking of the NEA.

Speaker #9: And, you know, I think that's obviously contributing to a sector that is, you know, less resilient. compared to some of the larger carriers. you know, we're in a bit of a different position because we have, obviously a very healthy uncovered asset base and strong liquidity.

Speaker #9: so, you know, never say never. We're open to anything and everything assuming the terms would make sense for JETBLUE. but at this point, you know, we're focused on, continuing to execute JETFORD, continuing to control the pieces of the business that we can, control to offset the impact of elevated fuel prices.

Joanna Geraghty: At this point, you know, we're focused on continuing to execute JetForward, continuing to control the pieces of the business that we can control to offset the impact of elevated fuel prices. We'll, you know, we'll watch, just like you're watching, the news and see how that shakes out with Spirit and the value carriers and whether anything comes their way.

Speaker #9: And we'll, you know, we'll watch just like you're watching the news and see how that shakes out with Spirit and the value carriers and whether anything comes their way.

Jamie Baker: Excellent. Thank you, everybody.

Speaker #12: Excellent. Thank you, everybody.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Duane Pfennigwerth with Evercore ISI. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Your next question comes from the line of Dwayne Fenningworth with Evercore ISI. Please go ahead.

Duane Pfennigwerth: Hey, thanks. Maybe just follow up right there. Joanna, in the scenario where Spirit gets support but nobody else does, would this influence your thinking about consolidation?

Speaker #11: Hey, thanks. maybe just follow up, right there. Joanna, in the scenario where Spirit gets support, but nobody else does, would this influence your thinking about consolidation?

Joanna Geraghty: No. At the end of the day, you know, gosh, there's enough people out there that are commenting on every little piece of the business right now. Again, we're focused on executing the plan. You know, even in the situation where there is a potential Spirit bailout, we're gonna continue to execute our Fort Lauderdale strategy. I mean, as I think was mentioned in the script, you know, we're, you know, Q1 ASMs are up 23%, RASM's up 5%. Customers are clearly picking JetBlue because it's a better product, a better service, and we're gonna fly, and they're not afraid flights are gonna get canceled. We've got a, you know, great plan, regardless of the outcome of Spirit. I feel for their people.

Speaker #9: no. at the end of the day, you know, gosh, there's enough people out there that are commenting on every little piece of the business right now.

Speaker #9: And again, we're focused on executing the plan. You know, even in the situation where there is a potential Spirit bailout, we're going to continue to execute our Fort Lauderdale strategy.

Speaker #9: you know, as I think was mentioned in the script, you know, we're, you know, Q1, ASM's are up 23%. RAS is up 5%. Customers are clearly picking JETBLUE because it's a better product, a better service.

Speaker #9: And we're going to fly. And they're not afraid flights are going to get canceled. we've got a, you know, great plan. regardless of the outcome of Spirit, I feel for their people.

Joanna Geraghty: You know, we're hiring a number of them to try to make sure that they, you know, have a soft landing. It's a really, really tough situation. You know, there continues to be this imbalance of scale in the industry. We're doing what we can with Blue Sky, but it is full steam ahead in Fort Lauderdale, and we look forward to continuing to bring the great JetBlue product and service there. We're now the number one carrier in Fort Lauderdale, bigger than when we were pre-COVID, and we look forward to continuing to grow.

Speaker #9: you know, we're hiring a number of them to try to make sure that they, you know, have a soft landing. but it's a really, really tough, really tough situation.

Speaker #9: And, you know, they're continuing to be this imbalance of scale in the industry. We're doing what we can with blue sky. but it is full steam ahead in Fort Lauderdale.

Speaker #9: And we look forward to continuing to bring the great JETBLUE product and service there. We're now the number one carrier in Fort Lauderdale. Bigger than when we were pre-COVID.

Speaker #9: And we look forward to continuing to grow.

Duane Pfennigwerth: Thanks for those thoughts. Marty, as you think about dialing down your schedule in H2, what is your focus? What types of flights are, you know, most under the microscope? Thanks for taking the questions.

Speaker #11: Thanks. Thanks for those thoughts. And then, Marty, as you think about, dialing down your schedule in the second half, what is your focus? What types of flights are, you know, most under the microscope?

Speaker #11: Thanks for taking the questions.

Marty St. George: Hi, thanks. That's a simple one. I mean, fundamentally, we are assuming the fuel price for the rest of the year will match what the forward curve is saying. At that level, there are certainly a small % of flights that we believe will not actually be accretive during that time period. Again, the economics of reducing capacity are very much biased towards reducing it further out in advance because you can save a lot of expense when you do that. You know, we did do a little bit of pulling from the May schedule, and our savings are much lower for that, for example, because, you know, the crews are already bid, they're gonna get paid one way or the other.

Speaker #8: Hi, thanks. And that's a simple one. I mean, fundamentally, we are assuming the fuel price for the rest of the year will match what the forward curve is saying.

Speaker #8: And at that level, there are certainly a small percentage of flights that we believe will not actually be accredited during that time period.

Speaker #8: So, again, the economics of reducing capacity, very much biased towards reducing it further out in advance because you can save a lot of expense when you do that.

Speaker #8: you know, we did do a little bit of pulling from the, May schedule. and our savings are much lower for that, for example, because, you know, the crews are already bid.

Speaker #8: They're going to be paid one way or the other. But when we make decisions this early for the fall, it's actually very effective for us to save some significant expense.

Marty St. George: When we make decisions this early for the fall, it's actually very effective for us to save some significant expense. When you see where the pulls are happening, it generally is, you know, off-peak periods, Tuesday, Wednesday, stuff like that. Nothing really unusual. Although we did say, and we are seeing good strength in the troughs, they're still troughs in comparison to the peak periods. I think it's just this is a math exercise rather than a strategic exercise. You know, our goal, you know, always our goal is to try to get to the best top margin we can get to. If we see stuff that will not be contributing to that, we will certainly take action.

Speaker #8: So, when you see where the poles are happening, it generally is, you know, off-peak periods, Tuesday, Wednesday, stuff like that. Nothing really unusual. although we did say, and we are seeing good strength in the troughs.

Speaker #8: there's still troughs in comparison to the peak period. So, I think it's just, this is a math exercise rather than a strategic exercise. And, you know, our goal, you know, always our goal is to try to get to the best optimization we can get to.

Speaker #8: So if we see stuff that will not be contributed to that, we will certainly take action.

Duane Pfennigwerth: Thank you.

Speaker #11: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Savanthi Syth with Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Savi Syth with Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Your next question comes from the line of Savvy Sites with Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Savanthi Syth: Hey, good morning. Marty, maybe just on Fort Lauderdale, you know, given all the changes that you've done and the significance of the investment there over the last years, I was curious, kind of post this summer re-banking is, you know, where are you in kind of the innings of really building up Fort Lauderdale outside of maybe kind of the opportunity if you get more gates?

Speaker #13: Hey, good morning. Marty, maybe just on Fort Lauderdale, you know, given all the changes that you've done and the significant kind of investment there over the last years, I was curious, kind of post this summer rebanking, is, you know, where are you in kind of the innings of really building up Fort Lauderdale outside of maybe kind of the opportunity if you get more gates?

Speaker #8: Yeah. So, that's a great question. I think that, you know, the real question is what happens with our biggest competitor there. now, first of all, we have now added significant capacity on there.

Marty St. George: That's a great question, and I think that, you know, the real question is what happens with our biggest competitor there. Now, first of all, we have now added significant capacity down there. We're double the size of our next biggest competitor. We did not go into this with any expectation of Spirit going away. What we have done is we've taken advantage of gate availability that they've created with some of their pull-downs. We have been lucky enough to be able to take advantage of the gates to add more international service and have a more formal bank structure down there, which we're very excited about. To the extent that they keep pulling down, we will backfill that capacity.

Speaker #8: We're double the size of our next biggest competitor. we did not go into this with any expectation of Spirit going away. what we have done is we've taken advantage of gate, availability that they've created with some of their pull-downs.

Speaker #8: So, we have been lucky enough to be able to take advantage of the gates to add more international service, and have a more formal bank structure down there, which we're very excited about.

Speaker #8: to the extent that they keep pulling down, we will backfill that capacity. And frankly, you know, when you think about us adding, you know, a quarter of our capacity and still having, you know, RAS in this basically 1 point off the system RASM, that is outstanding performance.

Marty St. George: Frankly, when you think about us adding a quarter of our capacity and still having RASM is basically 1 point off the system RASM, that is outstanding performance. I think what it shows is that the JetBlue value proposition resonates in South Florida. I think frankly, it's a market we're extremely excited about the arrival of the domestic first class product later on in 2026. My view is success should breed success, and we will absolutely continue to build Fort Lauderdale to the extent we can. I think when we first talked about Fort Lauderdale, we said we thought it would be our goal is to get it to the size of Boston. I'd say when gate ability happens, it will absolutely be at that point.

Speaker #8: And I think what it shows is that, you know, the JETBLUE value proposition resonates in South Florida. and I think, frankly, it's a market we're extremely excited about the arrival of the domestic first-class products, later on in 2026.

Speaker #8: So, you know, my view is success should breed success. And we will absolutely continue to build Fort Lauderdale to the extent we can. I think when we first talked about Fort Lauderdale, we said we thought it would be—you know, our goal was to get it to the size of Boston.

Speaker #8: And I'd say when gate ability happens, it will absolutely be at that point. So instead of being focused on, you know, two focus cities, sort of holding us up, we'll have a third leg of the stool in Fort Lauderdale.

Marty St. George: Instead of being focused on, you know, two focus cities sort of holding us up, we'll have a third leg of the stool in Fort Lauderdale. Again, a lot of that's gonna be predicated on gate availability.

Speaker #8: but again, a lot of that's going to be predicated on gate availability.

Savanthi Syth: Makes sense. Maybe just a follow-up, and you sort of brought it up, like, the other focus, you know, when you kind of first came back was really building the New England strength back up. Just where are you on kind of on that front?

Speaker #13: Makes sense. And maybe just to follow up, to sort of broaden it out, like, the other focus, you know, when you kind of first came back was really building the New England strength back up.

Speaker #13: just where are you on kind of on that front?

Marty St. George: I mean, fundamentally, I'm very comfortable with what we've done in New England. I think the addition of service in a place like, you know, Bradley, Providence, in addition to what we've done in Boston, I think we're really excited about and happy how the markets have responded. We're not doing Fort Lauderdale at the expense of those markets. You know, we do continue to have deliveries coming, which I think will help fund Fort Lauderdale a lot. You know, frankly, I think the most important thing to focus on is that the airplanes are gonna follow where the demand is. You know, we've been very happy with the demand that we've seen in the Northeast.

Speaker #8: I mean, fundamentally, I'm very comfortable with what we've done in New England. I think the addition of service in a place like, you know, Bradley, Providence, in addition to what we've done in Boston, I think we're really excited about.

Speaker #8: And happy how the markets have responded. we're not doing Fort Lauderdale at the expense of those markets. you know, we do continue to have deliveries coming, which I think will help fund Fort Lauderdale a lot.

Speaker #8: but, you know, frankly, I think the most important the most important thing to focus on is that the airplanes are going to follow where the demand is.

Speaker #8: You know, we've been very happy with the demand we've seen. In the Northeast, we're sort of on year two of the ramp in these markets.

Marty St. George: We're sort of on year two of the ramp of these markets and, in general, more or less, ahead of where we expected they would be. Frankly, I'd say Fort Lauderdale is way ahead of the ramp that we'd expected. You know, I think that's how Fort Lauderdale is gonna attract more, more supply as we go forward. You know, we are sort of coming into this summer period, which is, you know, a somewhat lower demand period for Fort Lauderdale. I think, you know, once we get to the fall, sort of the November time period, I think we should expect significant, additional growth in Fort Lauderdale to the extent that we have gates, that we have gates available.

Speaker #8: And, in general, more or less, ahead of where we expected they would be. and frankly, I'd say Fort Lauderdale is way ahead of the ramp that we had expected.

Speaker #8: And, you know, I think that's how Fort Lauderdale is going to attract more, more supply as we go forward. You know, we are sort of in the coming into the, summer period, which is, you know, a somewhat lower demand period for Fort Lauderdale.

Speaker #8: But I think, you know, once we get to the fall, sort of the November time period, I think we should expect significant additional growth in Fort Lauderdale, to the extent that we have gates available.

Savanthi Syth: Hopeful. Thank you.

Speaker #13: Helpful. Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Michael Goldie with BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Your next question comes from the line of Michael Goldie with BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Michael Goldie: Good morning, and thank you for the question. You're seeing healthy card spend and acquisitions. Can you unpack this by region? Like, is this really JFK-driven right now? How does that influence your thinking for the opening of Boston and as well as how things are trending with Fort Lauderdale?

Speaker #14: Good morning, and thank you for the question. You're seeing healthy card spend and acquisitions. Can you unpack this by region? Like, is this really JFK-driven right now?

Speaker #14: And how does that influence your thinking for the opening of Boston and as well as how things are trending with Fort Lauderdale?

Marty St. George: Well, Hey, Michael, thanks for the question. I think first thing, you know, I would not say there's any significant regional differences at the card spend. There's certainly significant regional differences in where the cards are, the cards are basically New York, New Jersey, New England. You know, that's the majority of our card business. Frankly, one of the things we're focused on for 2026 is to increase our base in South Florida. I think we've done well with the credit card, I would say we're under indexed in South Florida versus where we should be. We already have efforts that are going on in South Florida to try to improve our card base.

Speaker #8: Well, hi, Michael. Thanks for the question. I think, first thing, you know, I would not say there's any significant regional differences at the card spend.

Speaker #8: There's certainly significant regional differences in where the cards are. And the cards are basically New York, New Jersey, and New England. You know, that's the majority of our of our card business.

Speaker #8: and frankly, one of the things we're focused on for 2026 is to increase our base in South Florida. I think we've done well with the credit card, but I would say we're under-indexed in South Florida versus where we should be.

Speaker #8: we already have efforts that are going on, in South Florida to try to improve our improve our card base. And frankly, I think as we've added so much capacity down there, and then plus the addition of the United capacity into the Blue Sky redemption opportunities so that customers can fly anywhere in the world, with the two blue points, we're really bullish about our ability to have a really broad offering from South Florida.

Marty St. George: Frankly, I think as we've added so much capacity down there, and then plus the addition of the United capacity into the Blue Sky redemption opportunities so that customers can fly anywhere in the world with the TrueBlue points, we're really bullish about our ability to have a really broad offering from South Florida, and that will translate into credit cards. Clearly, you know, given the location of the BlueHouse, you can tell that New York and Boston are the focal points for the credit card business right now. If we said this publicly, and I'll say it again, we are looking at trying to find space for a BlueHouse facility in Fort Lauderdale. For those of you who know, Terminal Three, it is a tough terminal as far as finding enough space for a lounge.

Speaker #8: And that will translate into credit cards. Clearly, you know, given the location of the Blue House, you can tell that New York and Boston are the focal points for the credit card business right now.

Speaker #8: and as we said this publicly, and I'll say it again, we are looking at, trying to find space for a Blue House facility in Fort Lauderdale.

Speaker #8: for those of you who know, Terminal 3, it is a tough terminal as far as finding enough space for, for a lounge. But, we are working with our partners at, at Broward County Airports Division, trying to find a place for a lounge down there.

Marty St. George: We are working with our partners at Broward County Aviation Department, trying to find a place for a lounge down there. No news to report because we haven't found the right solution yet that's right for everybody. I do think that's sort of the natural next third step, and that would be a very good help for things like card acquisition.

Speaker #8: no news to report because we haven't found the right solution yet that's right for everybody. But, I do think that's sort of the next the natural next third step.

Speaker #8: And that will be a very good help for things like card acquisition.

Michael Goldie: On Paisly, you continue to ramp Blue Sky. Can you talk about the pipeline and initiatives to add additional partners to scale this platform?

Speaker #14: And then, on Paisley, you continue to ramp Blue Sky. Can you talk about the pipeline and initiatives to add additional partners to scale this platform?

Marty St. George: Are you saying partners over and above United?

Speaker #8: you're saying partners over and above United?

Michael Goldie: Yes.

Speaker #14: Yes.

Marty St. George: For Paisley, we have talked to single-digit number of other entities, some airlines, some non-airline partners. We're actually in the RFP process right now with 1 partner, which we're very excited about. Nothing to report now as far as details, but I think to the extent that airlines and other partners are looking at opportunities for looking for a partnership beyond some of the sort of traditional partners, I think we'll certainly be there for it. We are really, really excited about the technology platform that the Paisley team has built, and I'm looking forward to finally getting our first RFP, and our first evaluation after United, because I think we're gonna be very competitive in this marketplace.

Speaker #8: So, for Paisley, we have talked to a single-digit number of other entities—some airlines, some non-airline partners. We're actually in the RFP process right now with one partner.

Speaker #8: Which we're very excited about. Nothing to report now as far as details. But I think to the extent that airlines and other partners are looking at opportunities for, looking for a partnership beyond some of the sort of traditional partners, I think we'll certainly be there for it.

Speaker #8: we are really, really excited about the technology platform that the Paisley team has built. and I'm looking forward to finally getting our first RFP, and our first evaluation after United, because I think we're I think we're going to be very competitive in this marketplace.

Marty St. George: I think it's also worth noting that we are now, just now starting to get some of the United content into Paisly. Today, you can buy a JetBlue Vacations package that actually has United in it. We have JetBlue Vacations has sold packages to United destinations. We have rental cars coming very, very soon, hotels coming beginning of Q3, and we'll continue to go through the implementation for packages, cruises, things like that later in the year. The relationship with United has been very strong so far. They have great partners, and you know, more than anything, we're excited to get their customer base experience the benefits of Paisly.

Speaker #8: I think it's also worth noting that we are just now starting to get some of the United content into Paisley today. You can buy a JetBlue Vacations package that actually has United air in it.

Speaker #8: and we have we have a JetBlue vacations that has Seoul packages, to United destinations. we have rental cars coming very, very soon. hotels coming beginning of the third quarter.

Speaker #8: And we'll continue to go through the implementation for packages, cruises, things like that later in the year. So the relationship with United has been very strong so far.

Speaker #8: They have great partners. And, you know, more than anything, we're excited to get their customer base, experience, and the benefits of Paisley.

Michael Goldie: Thank you.

Speaker #14: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Tom Fitzgerald with TD Cowen. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Your next question comes from the line of Tom Fitzgerald with TD Cowan. Please go ahead.

Tom Fitzgerald: Hey, thanks so much for the time. Just wanted to stick with Blue Sky for a minute. I think it was on this call a year ago, you talked about a TrueBlue person who or a customer who might need to be, you know, go to Omaha or Boise, and just like the value prop for them. Are you seeing the response from those type of customers that you hoped for? What type of response have you seen from MileagePlus customers under your own network?

Speaker #15: Hey, thanks so much for the time. Just wanted to stick with Blue Sky for a minute. I think we were on this call a year ago.

Speaker #15: You talked about, a two-blue person who or, or a customer who might need to be, you know, go to go to Omaha or Boise, and, and just, like, the value prop for them.

Speaker #15: Are you seeing the, the response from those type of customers that you hope for? And, like, what just, like, I know it's early days still.

Speaker #15: What—what type of response have you seen from MileagePlus customers under your own network?

Marty St. George: That's a great question, and we watch this very, very closely. We had put together a forecast of where we would expect United customers to book on us, and it's exactly what we expected. It's things like, you know, LA to New York, Boston to New York. Excuse me, LA to New York, San Fran to New York, San Fran, Boston. We've had surprisingly good results at DCA, you know, DCA to Florida and DCA to Boston, given United's large presence at Dulles. This is exactly what we were hoping for in this partnership.

Speaker #8: that's a great question. And we watch it very, very closely. We had put together a forecast of where we would expect, United customers to book on us.

Speaker #8: And it's exactly what we expected. It's things like, you know, LA and New York, Boston, New York—I should say LA, New York, San Fran, New York, San Fran, Boston. We've had surprisingly good results at DCA.

Speaker #8: You know, DCA to Florida and DCA to Boston, given United's large presence at Dulles, this is exactly what we were hoping for in this partnership.

Marty St. George: You know, the ability to have JetBlue flights within the United distribution channel, I think is extremely helpful for us, because as strong as JetBlue is, you know, we don't have the same sort of share of mind in places like, you know, Washington on the West Coast, places like that. We're very much looking forward to actually expanding this. We're still working on plans to create what we're calling mixed metal connections, which is customers will fly JetBlue into, let's just say example, you know, we just went back into New York-Houston, which we've been out of for a while.

Speaker #8: you know, the ability to have JetBlue flights within the United distribution channel, I think, is extremely helpful for us. because as, as, as, as strong as JetBlue is, you know, we don't have the same, sort of, share of mind in places like, you know, Washington on the West Coast, places like that.

Speaker #8: So it's doing exactly what we thought it would. We're very much looking forward to actually expanding this. We're still working on plans to create what we're calling mixed metal connections, which is customers who fly JetBlue into, let's just say, for example—you know, we just went back into New York–Houston, which we had been out of for a while.

Marty St. George: You know, that'll be in the United banks, and customers can fly New York-Houston on JetBlue and then fly Houston to El Paso or somewhere on United going forward. We don't have a date for that yet because that's actually a bit of a technology challenge. We are optimistic that that will be coming as well. You know, overall, at the core, this is like the other 50 something interline relationships we have with a lot of partners. It just is with a very big airline that has really great distribution strength that complements our network really well.

Speaker #8: you know, that'll be in the United banks and customers can fly New York, Houston on JetBlue and then fly Houston to, you know, El Paso or somewhere, on United going forward.

Speaker #8: We don't have a date for that yet, because that's actually a bit of a technology challenge. But we are optimistic that will be coming as well.

Speaker #8: you know, overall, at the core, this is like the other 50-something interline relationships we have with a lot of partners. It just is with a very big airline that has really great distribution strengths, that complements our network really well.

Joanna Geraghty: I'll just add, I mean, the whole point is to not provide customers with any chance to choose anybody other than JetBlue, particularly in Boston, where we have a very robust schedule and network, likewise in New York. We were with an investor who was telling us a story about how, you know, he was looking to fly to Asia, would typically have chosen one of our competitors that's large in Boston for that trip. Because we have this partnership with United, he booked on JetBlue, the United flight, earned TrueBlue points, and was able to fly to Asia and picked us over the competitor because we had that connectivity.

Speaker #16: I'll just add, I mean, the whole point is to, not provide customers with any chance to choose anybody other than JetBlue, particularly in Boston, where we have a very, robust schedule and network.

Speaker #16: Likewise, in New York, and we were with an investor who was telling us the story about how, you know, he was looking to fly to Asia, would typically have chosen one of our competitors that's large in Boston for that trip.

Speaker #16: But because we have this partnership with United, he booked on United on JetBlue—the United flight—earned TrueBlue points, and was able to fly to Asia and picked us over the competitor because we had that connectivity.

Joanna Geraghty: You know, this is the goal of Blue Sky and the point about delivering more scale and a broader network to our customers, given that we do have, you know, a bit of a scale challenge in the markets that we're in.

Speaker #16: So, you know, this is the goal of Blue Sky. And the point about delivering more scale and a broader network to our customers, given that we do have, you know, a bit of a scale challenge in the markets that we're in.

Tom Fitzgerald: Thanks so much for that. That's really helpful color. Then just as a follow-up for Ursula, just curious, like you guys have had, obviously it's been a pretty fluid environment the last few years coming out of COVID, just like some lessons learned on pulling controllable spend out, kinda last minute or closer than maybe you were expecting? Then just like some levers you're looking to pull in H2 of the year. Thanks again for the time.

Speaker #14: Thanks, thanks so much for that. That's really helpful color. and then just as a follow-up for Ursula, just curious, just something like you guys have had, obviously, it's been a pretty fluid environment the last few years coming out of COVID.

Speaker #14: so just, like, some lessons learned on pulling, controllable spend out, kind of last-minute or closer, and then maybe you were expecting, and then just, like, some leverage you're looking to pull, in the second half of the year.

Speaker #14: Thanks again for the time.

Joanna Geraghty: Yeah. Thanks, Tom. I mean, this is one area where I'm just like super proud of the team, and the way in which they've managed controllable costs. I mean, we pulled a significant amount of capacity out of the network last year, given the lack of demand, the team found $40 million that allowed us to maintain our full year guide. We get creative. There's everything from, you know, better aligning hiring. We revised maintenance schedules. We reduced all discretionary spending. The team has made great progress on our fuel efficiency initiatives. You know, we have driven, you know, 5% savings over the last three years. Super proud of the team.

Speaker #17: Yeah. Thanks, Tom. I mean, this is one area where I'm just, like, super proud of the team. and the way in which they've managed controllable costs, I mean, we pulled a significant amount of capacity out of the network last year, given the lack of demand.

Speaker #17: And, the team found $40 million that allowed us to maintain our full-year guide. We get creative. Th-there's everything from, you know, better aligning hiring.

Speaker #17: We revise maintenance schedules. we reduce, all discretionary spending. the team has made great progress on our fuel efficiency, initiatives. you know, we have, driven, you know, 5% savings, o-over the last three years.

Speaker #17: And, and so super proud, of the team with they are in the process of also ramping up all of the cost initiatives, associated with JetForward.

Joanna Geraghty: They are in the process of also ramping up all the cost initiatives associated with JetForward, so creating a sourcing center of excellence. We're leveraging data science and AI to build tools so that we can drive better operating efficiency and put in place the more effective planning. As a reminder, we've gone through and simplified the fleet, right, by exiting the E190. We've got multitude of levers at our disposal, and I'm confident that this year our cost profile definitely improves in H2 versus H1. Q1 is kind of the high watermark. Obviously it was also impacted by disruptions.

Speaker #17: So creating a sourcing center of excellence. we're leveraging data science and AI to build tools so that we can drive better operating efficiency and put in place but more effective planning.

Speaker #17: as a reminder, we've gone through a-and simplified the fleet, right, by exiting the E190. A-and so, we've got multitude of levers at our disposal.

Speaker #17: And I'm confident that this year our cost profile definitely improves in the second half of the year versus the first half. Q1 is kind of the high watermark; obviously, it was also impacted by disruptions.

Joanna Geraghty: As JetForward cost initiatives ramp through the rest of the year and as capacity grows slightly in H2 of the year, we'll continue to see efficiencies. We're gonna do everything we possibly can to come as close as possible to the original full-year controllable cost guide.

Speaker #17: but as JetForward cost initiatives ramp through the rest of the year and as, and as capacity, grows slightly in the second half of the year, we'll continue to see efficiencies.

Speaker #17: So we're gonna do everything we possibly can to come a-as close as possible to. The original full-year controllable cost guide.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Brandon Oglenski with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Speaker #18: You are next question comes from the line of Brandon Oględzki with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Brandon Oglenski: Hey, good morning, thank you for taking the question. Joanna, I mean, it's another frustrating year, right? Because we have volatility in oil markets, and it's, you know, fifth or sixth year here of not turning a profit or potentially not turning a profit, I should say. You mentioned it earlier, just the lack of scale versus maybe some of your larger competitors where there's, you know, objectively better balance sheet, better profitability. I mean, how do you structurally address the lack of scale in your business relative to those of your competitors that are doing better and have done better in this whole time period? Is there something you need to think about maybe strategically?

Speaker #19: Hey, good morning. And, thank you for taking the question. And Joanna, I mean, it's another frustrating year, right, because we have volatility in oil markets.

Speaker #19: And it's, you know, a fifth or sixth year here of not turning a profit or potentially not turning a profit, I should say. and you mentioned it earlier, just the lack of scale versus maybe some of your larger competitors where there's you know, objectively, better balance sheet, better profitability.

Speaker #19: I mean, how do you structurally address the lack of scale in your business relative to those of your competitors that are doing better and have done better in this whole time period?

Speaker #19: Is there something you need to think about maybe strategically?

Joanna Geraghty: Yeah. Thanks for the question. I think maybe let me start with. I'll get to your question, but I want to start maybe first with Jet Forward. We are seeing Jet Forward working and driving underlying performance in the business. If you look at our operating margins for Q1 and adjust for fuel, it would have actually, sorry, would have been 5 points better than the actual operating margin, 3 points better than implied guidance. -10 down to a -5 if you adjust with fuel. The implied guide was actually -8. Some nice progress there. Year over year, there was a 3-point expansion when you adjust for fuel.

Speaker #17: Yeah. thanks, thanks for the question. I think maybe let me start with I'm gonna I'll get to your question. I wanna start maybe first with JetForward.

Speaker #17: And we are seeing JetForward working and driving, underlying performance in the business. If you look at our operating margin for Q1, and adjust for fuel, it would have actually been 5 points better than the, it would have actually sorry, it would have been 5 points better than the actual operating margin, 3 points better than implied guidance, so negative 10 down to a negative 5 if you adjust for fuel.

Speaker #17: And, the implied guidance was actually negative 8. So, some nice progress there. Year over year, there was a 3-point expansion when you adjust for fuel.

Joanna Geraghty: As you think about sort of those early proof points, we are seeing JetForward working. We're seeing the gain from NPS. We're back top of the industry. You know, nice progress in Fort Lauderdale. Obviously a 5-point rise in cabin spread in Q2 of this year, which is the most we've seen since the start of JetForward. We've got a whole series of initiatives. It's a big year for JetForward this year, including the Blue Sky implementation, Blue First lounges, and the list goes on. The strategy is working. Obviously, the challenge is the macro environment and, you know, these, the volatility that we just, you know, we keep seeing.

Speaker #17: So as you think about sort of those, those early proof points, we are seeing JetForward working. We're seeing the gain, from NPS. We're back at the top of the industry.

Speaker #17: you know, nice progress in Fort Lauderdale. obviously, a 5-point rise in CAS and spread in Q2 of this year, which is the most we've seen since the start of JetForward.

Speaker #17: We've got a whole series of initiatives. It's a big year for JetForward this year, including the Blue Sky implementation, Blue First lounges. and the list goes on.

Speaker #17: And so the strategy is working. Obviously, the challenge is the macro environment. And, you know, these, these, the volatility that we just, you know, we keep seeing.

Joanna Geraghty: While the macro factors do impact the timing of our return to profitability, the goal is when those subside, that we're gonna see all the benefits of JetForward come to fruition. We're just gonna keep executing, try to control what we can. Probably the most overused expression lately, but control what we can and continue to execute those initiatives. Regarding scale, we recognize the importance of scale. That's why we tried to do the NEA. It's why we tried to do the Spirit merger. Now we've pivoted and we're focused on Blue Sky, and the early points we're seeing with Blue Sky are we are giving more utility and more relevance to customers and giving them a reason to choose JetBlue even though we maybe don't serve a particular destination because we're a bit smaller.

Speaker #17: So while the macro factors do impact the timing of our return to profitability, the goal is when those subside, that we're gonna see all the benefits of JetForward come to, come to fruition.

Speaker #17: And so we're just gonna keep executing, try to control what we can—probably the most underused, or most overused, expression lately—but control what we can and continue to execute those initiatives.

Speaker #17: Regarding scale, we recognize the importance of scale. That's why we tried to do the NEA. That's why we tried to do the spirit merger.

Speaker #17: Now we've pivoted and we're focused on Blue Sky. And the early points we're seeing with Blue Sky are, we are giving more utility and more relevance to customers and giving them a reason to choose JetBlue even though we maybe don't serve a particular destination, because we're, we're a bit smaller.

Joanna Geraghty: That said, we continue to raise these concerns in Washington, continue to focus on what are the things this government can do to help with that imbalance. You know, we're not focused on relying on the government. We're focused on, you know, what we can control. You know, that's where Blue Sky comes in. Our network and our loyalty platform and how we continue to accelerate those, deepening relevance in the places where people know and love our brand, the Northeast, Fort Lauderdale. While scale will continue to be a challenge, I think for, you know, all midsize and small carriers, we're controlling what we can. We think Blue Sky is an important part of helping with that. Then Paisley is the other piece of the puzzle.

Speaker #17: That said, we continue to raise these concerns in Washington, continue to focus on what are the things this government can do to help, help with that imbalance.

Speaker #17: But, you know, we're not focused on relying on the government. We're focused on, you know, what we can control. And, you know, that's where Blue Sky comes in.

Speaker #17: Our network and our loyalty platform, and how we continue to accelerate those—deepening relevance in the places where people know and love our brand: the Northeast, Fort Lauderdale.

Speaker #17: So while scale will continue to be a challenge, I think, for, you know, all mid-sized and small carriers, we're controlling what we can. We think Blue Sky is an important part of helping with that.

Joanna Geraghty: You know, that's a very low capital business, one that should drive nice earnings over time, and gives us sort of an independent revenue stream that should help propel us back to profitability over time. You know, the hope is when the macro subsides, you know, the plan will produce. Those early signs are producing, it's just being masked by some of these macro headwinds.

Speaker #17: and then Paisley is the other piece of the puzzle. you know, that's a very low-capital business, one that should drive nice earnings over time, and gives us sort of an independent revenue stream.

Speaker #17: That should help propel us back to profitability over time. So, you know, the hope is when the macro subsides, you know, the plan will, will produce.

Speaker #17: And, you know, those early signs are it is producing. It's just being masked by some of these macro headwinds.

Brandon Oglenski: I appreciate the very thorough answer, Joanna. Ursula, I guess as you think about capital needs, I mean, is taking potentially more debt the right path here as well?

Speaker #19: I, I appreciate the, the very thorough answer, Joanna. And Ursula, I guess as you think about capital needs, I mean, i-is taking potentially more debt the right path here as well?

Ursula Hurley: Yeah, listen, I'm cognizant that the balance sheet isn't where we want it to be. It's clearly been strained post-COVID. You know, our number one priority is ensuring we maintain adequate liquidity to obviously navigate, you know, volatile times such as what we're in at the moment. I acknowledge the level of interest expense is material. We don't take debt raises that decision lightly. We need to maintain our liquidity target of 17% to 20%. We try to be super thoughtful and cognizant. I mean, our number one priority, as Joanna mentioned, is continuing to execute on JetForward and get to a break-even or better op margin. That was the goal this year. Clearly, we're now facing material headwinds, which makes that exceptionally challenging.

Speaker #17: Yeah. Listen, I'm cognizant that the balance sheet isn't where we want it to be. It's clearly been strained post-COVID. you know, our number one priority is ensuring we maintain adequate liquidity.

Speaker #17: to obviously navigate you know, volatile times such as what we're in at the moment. I, I acknowledge the level of interest expense, i-is material.

Speaker #17: And so, we don't take debt raises that decision lightly. we need to maintain our liquidity target of 17 to 20 percent. and we try to be super thoughtful and cognizant.

Speaker #17: I mean, our number one priority as Joanna mentioned is continuing to execute on JetForward a-and get to a breakeven, or, or better op margin.

Speaker #17: That was the goal this year. Clearly, we're now facing material headwinds, which makes that exceptionally challenging. But the goal is positive operating margin, number one.

Ursula Hurley: The goal is positive operating margin, number one. Number two, is delivering free cash flow. Number three is delevering the balance sheet. We need to focus on the things we can control and execution. In terms of liquidity in the H2 of this year, if there's risk that we fall out of our 17% to 20% target, you know, we will assess, you know, all markets. We've got $6 billion of unencumbered assets, so we have some flexibility to choose, you know, how we raise on a go-forward basis.

Speaker #17: Number two, i-is delivering free cash flow. And then number three is delivering the, the, the balance sheet. So, we need to focus on the things we can control and execution.

Speaker #17: And in terms of liquidity in the back half of this year, if there's risk that we fall out of our 17 to 20 percent target, you know, we will assess, you know, all markets and we've got $6 billion of unencumbered assets.

Speaker #17: So we have some flexibility to choose, you know, how we raise, on a go-forward basis.

Brandon Oglenski: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Atul Maheswari with UBS. Please go ahead.

Speaker #19: Thank you.

Speaker #20: Your next question comes from the line of Etul Meshwari with UBS. Please go ahead.

Atul Maheswari: Good morning. Thanks a lot for taking my question. I wanna circle back on the Q2 recapture rate of 30% to 40%. It does seem a little lower than some of your larger peers who are, say, about 10 points ahead on the recapture. Your booking curve is probably a bit shorter than them since you have more of a domestic business, and by that it would imply that more of the Q2 would be booked at higher fares for you. Any color on why the lower recapture rate versus the legacy peers would be helpful.

Speaker #21: Good morning. Thanks a lot for taking my question. I want to circle back on the second quarter recapture rate of 30 to 40 percent. It does seem a little lower than some of your larger peers, who are, say, about 10 points ahead on the recapture.

Speaker #21: So your booking curve is probably a bit shorter than theirs, since you have more of a domestic business. And by that, it would imply that more of Q2 would be booked at higher fares for you.

Speaker #21: So any color on why the lower recapture rate versus the legacy peers would be helpful?

Marty St. George: Yeah. Thanks, Atul. I'm thinking about some of the things we heard in the other calls. I don't think we're dramatically lower than what I remember hearing. The one thing I would say is, I think the recapture rate is different at different fare levels. Back to the point we made about JetForward, like, the biggest goal we have in JetForward is to improve our penetration in the premium market. I'm guessing that the airlines that are, you know, the $6,000 business class fares to Asia, may have a different recapture profile than we do. Again, that will be resolved or certainly get significantly better as we finish JetForward in the next 18 months or so.

Speaker #22: Yeah. And thanks, Etul. I'm, I'm, I'm thinking about some of the things we heard in the other calls. I don't think we're dramatically lower than what I remember hearing.

Speaker #22: The one thing I would say is, I think the recapture rate is different at different fare levels. And back to the point we made about JetForward, like, the biggest goal we have in JetForward is to improve our penetration in the premium market.

Speaker #22: I'm guessing that the airlines that are, you know, the, you know, the $6,000 business class fares to Asia, may have a different recapture for, for, for, profile than we do.

Speaker #22: and again, that will be resolved or certainly get significantly better as we finish JetForward in the next 18 months or so. But I don't look at our when I look at our own internal calculations as far as our recapture, I th-they may be slightly different shape curve, but, you know, end of '26, early '27 is sort of what we've heard from other airlines as well.

Marty St. George: I don't look at our own internal calculations as far as our recapture, they may be a slightly different shape curve, but, you know, end of 2026 or early 2027 is sort of what we've heard from other airlines as well. I'm not sure I agree with that.

Joanna Geraghty: I mean, I think we think it's maybe premium and corporate mix, which we're addressing through JetForward and, you know, our first class product launching at the end of the year. A little bit delayed maybe relative to them, but not, you know, not meaningfully.

Speaker #22: So I'm not sure I agree with that.

Speaker #20: I—I mean, I think we think it's maybe premium and corporate mix, which we're addressing through JetForward and, you know, our first-class product launching at the end of the year.

Speaker #20: So, a little bit delayed maybe relative to them, but not, you know, not meaningfully.

Atul Maheswari: Got it. That's helpful. Then as my second question, you know, on the capital raise plan that you have, the $750 in total, what fuel recapture and demand scenarios did you use to come up with that number, that $750 that you've secured for now? I think just understanding that would be helpful as we try to assess whether or not you might need to raise more capital later in the year. Thank you.

Speaker #21: Got it. That's helpful. And then as my second question, you know, on the capital raise plan that you have, the 7/15 total, what fueled recapture and demand scenarios did you use to come up with that number that, 750 that you have secured for now?

Speaker #21: I think just understanding that would be helpful as we try to assess whether or not you might need to raise more capital later in the year.

Ursula Hurley: I mean, listen, at the highest level, you know, our plan for 2026, our original budget had Brent at $63. Clearly, we're in an environment where it's severely elevated. The original budget for this year assumed we would raise $500 million in liquidity to maintain our 17% to 20% liquidity target. We locked in that $500 million. As a reminder, we have an accordion, so we can pull that accordion, and that's an incremental $250 million. It's too early to tell, given the volatility of oil in the back half of this year, what the impact is going to be.

Speaker #21: Thank you.

Speaker #17: Yeah. I mean, listen, a-at the highest level, you know, our plan for 2026, our original budget had rent at $63. Clearly, we're in an environment where it's severely elevated.

Speaker #17: The original budget for this year assumed we would raise $500 million i-in liquidity to maintain our 17 to 20 percent, liquidity target. So, we locked in that $500 million as a reminder.

Speaker #17: We have an accordion, so we can, pull that accordion. And that's an incremental $250 million. it's too early to tell given the volatility of oil, in the back half of this year what the impact is going to be.

Ursula Hurley: I mean, this is part of the reason we pulled our full year guidance is just the volatility has been so extreme, we don't have clear line of sight in the second half of this year. We will assess as we progress forward if we need to raise more liquidity to maintain that 17% to 20% target.

Speaker #17: I mean, this is part of the reason we pulled o-our full-year guidance i-is just the volatility has been so extreme. We don't have clear line of sight in the second half of this year.

Speaker #17: So we will assess, as we progress forward, if we need to raise more liquidity to maintain that 17 to 20 percent target.

Joanna Geraghty: I think the headline is we are planning for multiple scenarios, at different fuel prices, and we're maintaining a level of flexibility so that we can time things, and take advantage of our unencumbered asset base, in the most favorable way possible. It's anybody's guess where fuel is gonna be for, you know, the remainder of the year into next year, so we're trying to be flexible there.

Speaker #20: I think the headline is we are planning for multiple scenarios, at different fuel prices. And we're maintaining a level of flexibility so that we can time things, and take advantage of our unencumbered asset base, in the most favorable way possible.

Speaker #20: But if anybody's guess where fuel's gonna be for, you know, the remainder of the year into next year, so we're trying to be flexible there.

Atul Maheswari: That makes sense. Thanks a lot for that and good luck with the rest of the year.

Speaker #21: That makes sense. thanks a lot for that and good luck with the rest of the year.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Christopher Stathoulopoulos with Susquehanna. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Chris Stathoulopoulos with SIG. Please go ahead.

Speaker #20: Your next question comes from the line of Chris Strapalopoulos, with SIG. Please go ahead.

Christopher Stathoulopoulos: Good morning, everyone. I'll keep it to one question. As we think about a response to demand elasticity or potentially demand destruction, I prefer more of the former as far as terminology. If you could perhaps frame potential resiliency around yields. You have a lot of initiatives out here, BlueHouse, JFK, Boston, domestic first class, of course, Blue Sky. Could you speak to that in a scenario where we do start to see some pushback or potential pressure bubbling up for more price-sensitive travelers against these initiatives that you have rolling out this year? As we think about yield resiliency and things like that. Thank you.

Chris Stathoulopoulos: Good morning, everyone. I'll keep it to one question. As we think about a response to demand elasticity or potentially demand destruction, I prefer more of the former as far as terminology. If you could perhaps frame potential resiliency around yields. You have a lot of initiatives out here, BlueHouse, JFK, Boston, domestic first class, of course, Blue Sky. Could you speak to that in a scenario where we do start to see some pushback or potential pressure bubbling up for more price-sensitive travelers against these initiatives that you have rolling out this year? As we think about yield resiliency and things like that. Thank you.

Speaker #22: good morning, everyone. I'll keep it to one question. So as we as we think about, a response to demand, demand elasticity or potentially demand, destruction, I prefer more of the, the, the, the former, as, as far as, terminology.

Speaker #22: But if you could perhaps frame potential resiliency around yields—you have a lot of initiatives out here: Blue House, JFK, Boston, domestic first class, and of course, Blue Sky.

Speaker #22: Could you speak to that in a scenario where we do start to see some pushback or potential pressure bubbling up for more price-sensitive travelers against the, these initiatives that you have rolling out this year?

Speaker #22: As we think about yield resiliency and things like that, thank you.

Joanna Geraghty: Yeah, maybe I'll start, and then I can throw it over to Marty. I think just first and foremost, we're not seeing any meaningful elasticity. Demand is strong across the booking curve. We are focused on yield. This is consistent with the broader industry trends. Load factor is holding up well, and we are focused on cutting flights that don't make economic sense with the current fuel environment. When you think about unique things as part of JetBlue in terms of where we have resilience, our VFR customers are an extremely resilient part of the franchise. Obviously all the things we're doing to try to increase our premium share, which remains more resilient when inflation goes up, are all the right moves.

Speaker #20: Yeah. Maybe I'll start and then I can sort of remark. I think just first and foremost, we're not seeing any meaningful elasticity. Demand is strong across the booking curve.

Speaker #20: We are focused on yield. This is consistent with, the broader industry trends. Load factor is holding up well. and we are focused on cutting flights that don't make economic sense with the current fuel environment.

Speaker #20: When you think about unique things as part of JetBlue, in terms of where we have resilience, our VFR customers are an extremely resilient, extremely resilient, part of the franchise.

Speaker #20: and then obviously, all the things we're doing to try to increase our premium share, which remains more resilient when inflation goes up, are all the right moves.

Joanna Geraghty: Domestic first, are EvenMore space in the cabin, seeing really nice progress there. Frankly, the locations we fly. I mean, Fort Lauderdale is, you know, where we're growing. The only place we're growing right now is, you know, the largest area in Florida with the highest income folks. It's much more premium than, you know, some of the other locations that we have. We're happy with, you know, what we're doing to try to make sure we're taking advantage of those more resilient customers.

Speaker #20: So domestic first, are even more space as a cabin, seeing really nice progress, really nice progress there. and then frankly, the locations we fly.

Speaker #20: I mean, Fort Lauderdale is, you know, where we're growing. The only place we're growing right now is, you know, the largest, area in Florida with the highest income folks.

Speaker #20: So it's much more premium, than, you know, some of the other locations that we have. So, you know, we're happy with, you know, what we're doing to try to make sure we're taking advantage of those more resilient, customers, and, you know, inherently in our model, we do have a very strong portion of JetBlue customers who are VFR who do go home to their family and friends over the holidays and for vacations and, and they've always been, very loyal to JetBlue, and a, a group that is, is quite resilient.

Joanna Geraghty: You know, inherently in our model, we do have a very strong portion of JetBlue customers who are VFR, who do go home to their family and friends over the holidays and for vacations, and they've always been very loyal to JetBlue, and a group that is quite resilient. I don't know, Marty, if there's anything you want to add.

Marty St. George: No, I think the only thing I'd mention in addition to what Joanna said was, you know, we've already taken action as far as reducing capacity in H2 of the year. I'd say when we hit those windows of, you know, making significant cost commitments, we will clearly relook at the market demand environment at that time. If it makes sense for us to pull additional capacity, we certainly will. I mean, again, our number one goal is to make sure to get, you know, our budget back where we want it to be. I think being very flexible and open on capacity change is an important part of that.

Speaker #20: I don't know, Marty, if there's anything you wanna add.

Speaker #22: No, I think, I think, I think, you know, the only thing I'd mention in addition to what Joanna said was, you know, we've already taken action as far as reducing capacity in the second half of the year.

Speaker #22: and I'd say when we hit those windows of, you know, making significant cost commitments, we will clearly relook at that market demand environment at that time.

Speaker #22: and if it makes sense for us to pull additional capacity, we certainly will. I mean, again, our, our number one goal is to make sure to get, you know, optimize your back where we want it to be.

Speaker #22: So, I think being very flexible and open on capacity changes is an important part of that.

Christopher Stathoulopoulos: Great. Thank you.

Chris Stathoulopoulos: Great. Thank you.

Speaker #21: Great. Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Catherine O'Brien with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead.

Speaker #20: Your next question comes from the line of Catherine O'Brien with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead.

Catherine O'Brien: Hey, good morning, everyone. Thanks so much for the time. A bit of a follow-up to an earlier question, but you noted a really strong 45% increase in credit card acquisitions in the quarter, and sounds like BlueHouse was one of the drivers of that. Can you give us some color on how much the JetBlue Premier Card growth was underlying that system number? Then if you're able to share if there's a notable difference in annual credit card spend between the Premier Card and some of your other cards?

Speaker #23: Hey, good morning, everyone. Thanks so much for the time. so a bit of a follow-up to an earlier question, but you noted a really strong 45% increase in credit card acquisitions in the quarter.

Speaker #23: And, and sounds like Blue House was one of the drivers of that. Can you give us some color on how much the JetBlue Premier card growth was?

Speaker #23: Underlying that system number, and then if you're able to share if there's a notable difference in annual credit card spend between the Premier card and some of your other cards.

Marty St. George: Hey, Catherine. Thanks. I would say a couple of things. We don't release a lot of detail, but I'll give you some color that I think should help. First thing is, we only lapped the JetBlue Premier Card in the first quarter. There's really no base. For half the quarter, there was no base to compare it to. It was really only March that we had year-over-year numbers. For the first year, you know, we had put a, you know, what I would consider to be a conservative, prudent forecast in knowing the lounge was not open until later on in the year, and we significantly exceeded that number. When you go to the 45%, yes, the JetBlue Premier Card is definitely a contributor. A lot of that is just the base JetBlue Plus Card that we offer every single day.

Speaker #22: Hey, Katie. Thanks. So, I'd say a couple of things. We haven't recently released a lot of detail, but I'll give you some color that I think should help.

Speaker #22: first thing is, we only lapped the Premier card in the first quarter. So, there's really no bait for half the quarter. There was no base to compare it to.

Speaker #22: So it was really only much that we had year-over-year numbers. for the first year, you know, we had put a, you know, what I would consider to be a conservative prudent forecast in knowing the launch was not open until later on in the year.

Speaker #22: And we significantly exceeded, exceeded that number. When it goes to the 45%, yes, the Premier card is definitely a contributor, but a lot of that is just the base-plus card that we offer every single day.

Marty St. George: I think that, I wanna go back to the point we made earlier about Blue Sky. The secret sauce of Blue Sky is the utility it brings to TrueBlue. The value, or I should say the utility of a TrueBlue point dramatically changed when you got the ability to earn and burn anywhere in the world, on the United network. I will throw into that, we didn't mention this in this call, but I'll throw it on here again. You know, later on this year, we will have full elite benefits between the two airlines as well. If you're a Mosaic or Mosaic 4, you'll have a experience like you would get on JetBlue, when you fly on United later on this year.

Speaker #22: And I think that I want to go back to the point we made earlier about Blue Sky. The secret sauce of Blue Sky is the utility of bringing us to True Blue.

Speaker #22: The value—or, I should say, the utility—of a TrueBlue point dramatically changed when you got the ability to earn and burn anywhere in the world, on the United Network.

Speaker #22: And I will throw into that we didn't mention this in this call, but I'll throw it out here again. You know, later on this year, we will have full, elite benefits between the two airlines as well.

Speaker #22: So, if you're a multi-experienced export, you'll have an experience like you would get on JetBlue when you fly on United later on this year.

Marty St. George: Our goal is to make sure that our customers feel like that the TrueBlue program will bring them anywhere in the world they might potentially wanna go, which is something we have not had for a while. To me, when I see the acceleration that, like we're seeing it, there's no change in approval rate as far as credit standards. It's just a lot more interest than the JetBlue card. That, to me, that is something that really excites me about Blue Sky. I think people get very focused on, you know, comparing to other programs. You know, frankly, this ability to have, you know, worldwide access for our customers to fly places that JetBlue could never imagine flying, I think that to me, is the game changer, and I think that's translating into credit card acquisitions.

Speaker #22: So our goal is to make sure that our customers, feel like that the True Blue program will bring them anywhere in the world they might put potentially wanna go, which is something we have not had for a while.

Speaker #22: So to me, when I see the acceleration that, that, like we're seeing it, there's no change in, in, in, in approval rate as far as credit standards.

Speaker #22: There's just a lot more interest in the JetBlue Pass, and to me, that is something that really, really excites me about Blue Sky.

Speaker #22: I think people get very focused on, you know, comparing to other programs, but, you know, frankly, this ability to have, you know, worldwide access for our customers to fly places that JetBlue could never imagine flying, I think that to me is the game changer.

Speaker #22: And I think that's translating into credit card acquisitions. I will also mention that, you know, we're very lucky that the, the core of our customer base is basically, you know, New York, New Jersey, you know, England.

Marty St. George: I will also mention that, you know, we're very lucky that the core of our customer base is basically, you know, New York, New Jersey, New England. If you look at the economic status of those customers, you know, it's generally a more affluent group and a high-spending group. Having the, having the spend go up as much as it did in the base card, I think is also huge for us as well, and also better than some of the numbers you've heard from our competitors talking about spend.

Speaker #22: And, you know, if you look at the economic status of those customers, you know, it's generally more affluent group and a high-spending group. So, you know, having the, having the spend go up as much as it did in the base card, I think is also huge for us as well.

Speaker #22: And also better than some of the numbers we've heard from our competitors talking about spend.

Catherine O'Brien: That's really interesting. Maybe just final question for Ursula. Appreciate, you know, we've suspended the full-year guidance, there's a lot of moving pieces. On my math, you know, based on the color you've given on the capacity cuts versus original plan and taking into account Q1, it looks like your capacity will be up, you know, low single digit territory as of now. I guess first, correct me if I'm wrong, but if that's correct, is it reasonable to assume that on low single digit capacity growth, your CASM ex-fuel would be kinda, you know, mid-single digit range for the year based on your commentary on the relationship between capacity and CASM? I guess anything we should be aware of when thinking about the cadence over Q3 and Q4. Thanks so much for the time.

Speaker #23: That's really interesting. And maybe just final question, for Ursula. appreciate, you know, we've suspended the fully year guidance. There's a lot of moving pieces.

Speaker #23: But on my math, you know, based on the color you've given on the capacity cuts versus original plan and taking into account the first quarter, it looks like your capacity will be up, you know, low single-digit territory as of now.

Speaker #23: I guess first, correct me if I'm wrong, but i-i-if that's, if that's correct, is it reasonable to assume that on low single-digit capacity growth, your CASMX will be kinda, you know, mid-single-digit range for the year based on your commentary and the relationship between capacity and CASM?

Speaker #23: And, I guess anything we should be aware of, when thinking about the cadence over 3Q and 4Q. Thanks so much for the time.

Ursula Hurley: Yeah. Thanks, Katie, for the question. I think the historical relationship still stands between capacity and CASM-ex. If capacity is at mid to high single digits, you know, CASM ex-fuel would be flat. I think your example is roughly in that ballpark. As mentioned, in my script, we definitely expect CASM ex-fuel growth to moderate down during H2 of this year. Based on what we know in pulling, you know, 2 to 3 points of capacity in H2 of the year, our unit costs, you know, will be over 2 points less in H2 versus H1. That's directionally where we sit today. I mean, I do acknowledge, you know, this is all dependent on the oil backdrop.

Speaker #24: Yeah. Thanks, Katie, for the question. I think the historical relationship still stands between capacity and CASMX. So if capacity is, mid to high single digits, you know, CASMX fuel would be flat.

Speaker #24: So, I think your e-example is roughly i-in that ballpark. as mentioned, i-in my script, we definitely expect CASMX fuel growth to moderate down during the second half of this year.

Speaker #24: So, based on what we know, in pulling, you know, 2 to 3 points of capacity in the second half of the year, our unit cost, you know, will be over 2 points less in 2H versus 1H.

Speaker #24: So, that-that's directionally, where we sit today. I mean, I do acknowledge, you know, this is all dependent o-on the oil backdrop. So clearly, if we start to get some, relief or, or further pressure, we will adjust capacity a-as necessary then.

Ursula Hurley: Clearly, if we start to get some relief or further pressure, we will adjust capacity as necessary. I mentioned earlier in the Q&A, I mean, the team has done historically a great job at executing uncontrollable costs, and I have a lot of confidence that we can get, you know, as close as we can to the prior guides, given what we know today.

Speaker #24: I mentioned earlier, in the Q&A—I mean, the team has done, historically, a great job at executing on controllable costs. And I have a lot of confidence that we can get, you know, as close as we can to the prior guides, given what we know today.

Catherine O'Brien: Thanks so much. Appreciate it's a moving target.

Speaker #23: Thank you so much. Appreciate the moving target. Your next question comes from the line of Ravi Shanker with Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Ravi Shanker with Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Madison: Hi, this is Madison on for Ravi. Thanks for taking the question. I was just wondering if you guys could give just some more color. I know you've touched on it a bit, but just your thoughts on international in light of potential fuel storages in Europe, and kind of resource allocation across the company, and if there's kind of like any opportunity to cut back there, or do you think you need to defend the spots you have?

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Hi, this is Madison on for Ravi. Thanks for taking the question. I was just wondering if you guys could give just some more color. I know you've touched on it a bit, but just your thoughts on international in light of potential fuel storages in Europe, and kind of resource allocation across the company, and if there's kind of like any opportunity to cut back there, or do you think you need to defend the spots you have?

Speaker #25: Hi. This is Madison on for Ravi. Thanks for taking the question. I was just wondering if you could guide to give just some more color.

Speaker #25: I know you've touched on it a bit at, but just your thoughts on international in light of potential fuel stro-storages in Europe, and kind of resource allocation across the country or across the company.

Speaker #25: And if there's kind of like any opportunity to cut back there, or do you think you need to defend the slots you have?

Ursula Hurley: Yeah, I appreciate the question. You know, we serve 8 different countries over in Europe. I think our frequency this summer will be about 14 daily flights. It's only 6% of our ASMs as we navigate through the summer. The point being, it is a small part of our network. Obviously, there continues to be supply concerns over in Europe. We're watching it very closely. We're working with A4A and our peers to advocate for, you know, certain operating procedures so that we can consume as much fuel as possible. We're also hopeful, given our flying is all long haul, that will be more protected versus the short-haul flying. We're watching it very closely and we're engaged and involved, but the exposure is minimal for us.

Speaker #24: Yeah. I appreciate the question. you know, we serve eight different countries over in Europe. I think our frequency, this summer will be about 14, daily flights.

Speaker #24: It's only 6% of our ASMs as we navigate through the summer. So, the, the point being, i-it is a small part of our network.

Speaker #24: obviously, there continues to be supply concerns. o-over in Europe, we're watching it very closely. we're working with, A4A a-and our peers to advocate for, you know, cer-certain operating procedures so that we can consume, a-as much, fuel as possible.

Speaker #24: We're also hopeful, given our flying is all long-haul, that that will be more protected versus the short-haul flying. So, we're watching it very closely, and we're engaged and involved.

Speaker #24: But the exposure is minimal for us.

John Godyn: Got it. That makes sense. Thank you.

[Analyst] (Morgan Stanley): Got it. That makes sense. Thank you.

Speaker #23: Got it. That makes sense. Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of John Godyn with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Speaker #25: Your next question comes from the line of John Godin with Citigroup. Please go ahead.

John Godyn: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my question. I just wanted to better understand, you know, the philosophy behind the capacity cuts, in the back half. I think it's fantastic that you guys are making some changes in response to fuel. It's not just you, but across the board, you know, companies have been a little bit reluctant to cut to levels that seem to more directly offset what's going on in the fuel environment. What is your guiding light as you contemplate 2% to 3% being appropriate and maybe the next cut behind it? Is it trying to get to 100% pass-through? Because 2% to 3% doesn't get you there.

Speaker #26: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my question. I just wanted to better understand, you know, the philosophy behind the capacity cuts. in the back half, I, I think it's fantastic that you guys are, are making some changes in, in response to fuel.

Speaker #26: and, and it's not just you, but, but across the board, you know, companies have been a little bit reluctant to cut to levels that, that seem to more directly offset what's going on in the fuel environment.

Speaker #26: What is your guiding light as you contemplate 2 to 3 percent being appropriate, and maybe the next cut behind it? Is it trying to get to 100% pass-through?

Speaker #26: Because 2 to 3 percent doesn't, doesn't get you there. it, it doesn't seem to be free cash flow 'cause you're not you know, you're targeting free cash flow positive by the end of '27.

John Godyn: It doesn't seem to be free cash flow because you know, you're targeting free cash flow positive by the end of 2027. It's not margin neutrality. I'm just trying to understand, when you're running these scenarios, what is the output that you are managing to?

Speaker #26: it's not margin neutrality. I'm just trying to understand, like, whe-when you're running these scenarios, what is the output that you are managing to?

Marty St. George: Hey, John. Thanks for the question. I mean, I would say that it kinda is the free cash flow. It's just basically the EBIT overall. Our goal is to, you know, contribute as much to getting a positive EBIT as we can with the assets we have. To the extent that we make decisions early and we have the ability to save more of the expenses, and we think that with the fuel price, that we're assuming for the rest of the year, and demand we're expecting, especially in trough periods, I think it's actually very important that we take action soon to make sure that we do what we can to maximize our EBIT.

Speaker #27: Hey, John. Thanks for the question. I mean, I, I, I would say that i-it kinda is to free cash flow. It's just basically the EBIT overall.

Speaker #27: Our goal is to, you know, contribute as much to paying to, getting deposited EBIT as we can with the assets we have. And to the extent that we make decisions early and we have the ability to save more of the expenses, and we think that with the fuel price—assuming that we're assuming for the rest of the year—and demand we're expecting, especially in trust periods, I think it's actually very important that we take action soon to make sure that we do what we can to maximize our EBIT.

Marty St. George: I would say that I do think, you know, I've seen a lot more talk of capacity cuts than I've seen actual action in the rest of the industry. I'm not sure that I'm as positive about what you say the other airlines are doing. I'll be clear that we are taking action. You know, as you go back to the pre-war guide that we did, you know, our goal was to get to positive op margin this year. You know, we've suspended that guidance, obviously, but our goal is to get, you know, do everything we can to make sure we get as close to that number as possible.

Speaker #27: I would say that I do think, you know, I've seen a lot more talk of capacity cuts than I've seen actual action.

Speaker #27: in the rest of the industry. So I'm not sure that I'm as, as, positive about what you what you say to the other airlines are doing.

Speaker #27: But, but I'll—I'll be clear that we are taking action. You know, we—as you go back to the pre-war guide that we did—you know, our goal was to get to positive up margin this year.

Speaker #27: you know, we've suspended that guidance, obviously, but our goal is to get, you know, do everything we can to make sure we get as close to that number as possible.

Marty St. George: Frankly, you know, my view is, you know, given the fuel curve we are seeing right now, it would be imprudent to make decisions that would not be profit maximizing. Now, we do have some constraints with our slot base at JFK.

Speaker #27: And frankly, you know, my view is, i you know, given the fuel curve we're seeing right now, it would be, imprudent to make decisions that would, put, i that would that would not be profit maximizing.

Speaker #27: Now, we do have some constraints with our slot base at JFK. I think it's worth mentioning that, you know, this is a long-term asset for the company.

Marty St. George: I think it's worth mentioning that, you know, this is a long-term asset for the company, and, unfortunately, we probably could cancel a little bit more if we were willing to take the risk on slots, but that's actually not a risk we wanna take because frankly, this is a transitory situation, and I do think we'll eventually get back to normal, and we wanna make sure that we will absolutely be in a position, to, you know, maintain our franchise at JFK, and I think giving up slots would be a very bad idea in the short term. The last issue is, we are so happy with what we're seeing in Fort Lauderdale. I'd say there'd be fewer cuts in Fort Lauderdale than elsewhere just because the demand is coming in as well as it is.

Speaker #27: And, unfortunately, we probably could cancel a little bit more. If we were to take the risk on slots. But that's actually not a risk we wanna take because frankly, this is a transitory situation.

Speaker #27: And I do think we'll eventually get back to normal. And we wanna make sure that we will absolutely be in a position, to, you know, maintain our franchise at JFK.

Speaker #27: And I think giving up slots would be a very bad idea in the short term. And the last issue is, we are so happy with what we're seeing in Fort Lauderdale.

Speaker #27: I'd say there'd be fewer cuts in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere just because the demand is coming in as well as it is. But clearly, with fuel up 75%—it's not quite 75% in the fourth quarter—but with fuel up as much as it is for the rest of the year, there are absolutely gonna be flights that will not be cash contributors.

Marty St. George: Clearly, with fuel up 75%, it's not quite 75% in Q4, but with fuel up as much as it is for the rest of the year, there are absolutely gonna be flights that will not be cash contributors, and those flights have to go.

Speaker #27: And tho-those flights have to go.

John Godyn: Yeah. You know, that makes sense. You know, if I just look at the fuel curve today, round numbers, it seems to imply, like, a 30% reduction in fuel from current spot by the end of the year. You know, I know that we need some basis for an estimate, and I can appreciate that you guys are using the fuel curve, but you've got a very large embedded fuel tailwind kind of making the math work from here. It seems like you could hit the pass-through numbers that you're describing even if the demand environment didn't improve at all. I'm not quite sure that that's, like, a reasonable framework. I don't know. It feels like you do, but maybe we could just talk about that a little bit.

Speaker #26: Yeah. And, you know, that, that makes sense. but, you know, if I just look at the fuel curve today, r-round numbers, i-it seems to imply, like, a 30% reduction in fuel from current spot by the end of the year.

Speaker #26: So, you know, I—I know that we need some basis for an estimate, and I can appreciate that you guys are using the fuel curve.

Speaker #26: But, but you've got a very large embedded fuel tailwind kind of making the math work from here. It seems like you could hit the pass-through numbers that you're describing even if the demand environment didn't improve at all.

Speaker #26: And I’m not quite sure that that’s, like, a reasonable framework. I—I don’t know. It feels like you do, but maybe we could just talk about that a little bit.

Marty St. George: I think that's a great question. Frankly, we look at the fuel curve and wonder how realistic it is during that time period. That's one of the reasons why, you know, I made a comment earlier in the answer, you know, when we hit those windows of making commitments on cost with respect to things like, you know, bidding pilot schedules and things like that, before we get to that point, we will reevaluate the capacity plan we're offering. If it turns out the fuel curve ends up being better than we expected, you know, maybe we put some flights back. If the fuel curve is worse than we expected, we will make sure to do the evaluation when we can pull more, with the goal of saving as much of the money as possible.

Speaker #27: I, I, I, I think that's a great question. And frankly, we look at the fuel curve and wonder how realistic it is during that time period.

Speaker #27: And that's one of the reasons why, you know, the comment earlier in the answer—you know, when we hit those windows of making commitments on cost with respect to things like, you know, bidding pilots together and things like that—before we get to that point, we will reevaluate the capacity plan we're offering.

Speaker #27: And it turns out the fuel curve ends up being better than we, expected. You know, maybe we put some flights back. If the fuel curve was worse than we expected, we will make sure to do the evaluation.

Speaker #27: When we can pull more, with the goal of, of, of saving as much of the money as possible. So, you know, my view of this is this is just prudent business.

Marty St. George: My view of this is this is just prudent business, and we will continue to watch that curve. I think if you think about that timeframe of 90 to 90-ish days out when we have a pretty good handle on saving some of the costs, I think we'll have a much, much better view of the fuel cost 90 days out than we have right now for 6 months out.

Speaker #27: And we will continue to watch that curve. I think if you think about that time frame of 90 to, you know, 90-ish days out when we have a pretty good handle on saving some of the costs, I think we'll have a much, much better view of the fuel of the fuel d cost 90 days out than we have right now for six months out.

Joanna Geraghty: We're gonna maintain as much flexibility as possible. I think that's the headline. If you could tell me where fuel's gonna be in September, then I could tell you closer to what my capacity is gonna look like in September. At the end of the day, you know, given where the demand environment is right now, and the investments in Fort Lauderdale and the slot portfolio in New York, you know, we wanna be mindful. We fully appreciate, I mean, we need to be aggressive in capacity cuts, to the extent that fuel remains in a highly elevated state for the rest of the year.

Speaker #28: And we're gonna maintain as much flexibility as possible. and I think that's the headline. If you could tell me where fuel's gonna be in September, then I could tell you closer to what my capacity's gonna look like in September.

Speaker #28: But, but at the end of the day, you know, given where the demand environment is right now, and the investments in Fort Lauderdale and the slot portfolio in New York, you know, we wanna be mindful.

Speaker #28: But, we fully appreciate, you know, y we need to be aggressive in capacity cuts. to the extent that fuel remains in a highly elevated state for the rest of the year.

John Godyn: Yeah. I mean, I follow the logic. It, you know, it I can't tell you where fuel prices are gonna be, but it seems plausible.

Speaker #26: Yeah. I mean, I follow the logic. It, you know, it, it, it I can't tell you where fuel prices are, are gonna be. But, but it seems plausible they could just be flat from here.

John Godyn: Right

John Godyn: they could just be flat from here. It doesn't seem like that's being contemplated.

Joanna Geraghty: Possible, but we don't know, so.

Speaker #26: And, and it doesn't seem like that's being contemplated in the future.

John Godyn: ... in a f-

John Godyn: Yeah

John Godyn: ... in a serious way.

John Godyn: Yeah.

John Godyn: Okay.

John Godyn: Yeah, it's possible.

Speaker #28: We don't know. Yes. Yeah.

John Godyn: Thanks, guys.

Speaker #26: In a serious way. Okay.

Joanna Geraghty: Thanks, but thanks. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Speaker #28: Yep. Possible. So thanks, but thanks. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect. [aaa]

Q1 2026 JetBlue Airways Corp Earnings Call

Request DemoDemo

JetBlue

Earnings