Jamaica warmed up JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) today with an island-style celebration for the airline’s inaugural flight to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). Jamaica Tourist Board representatives, including Regional Director of Tour Operators and Airlines Anthony King, participated in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer Rob Maruster and JetBlue crew members. Also joining in the festivities was special guest Devon Harris, three-time Olympian and member of Jamaica’s famous 1988 Olympic bobsled team.

“We welcome the start of JetBlue’s daily service from New York to Kingston. This latest service represents part of our ongoing efforts to provide increased capacity from key gateways, thus making Jamaica more accessible for members of the Jamaican and wider Caribbean Diaspora,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch. “Today’s inaugural flight is also significant as many of the JetBlue crew members on board are part of the Jamaican Diaspora in the greater New York area.”

“We’re proud to be serving our second Jamaican destination, Kingston, as we continue to grow our operations on the island and improve our already fantastic relationship with Jamaica and its people,” said JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer Rob Maruster. “We look forward to providing the JetBlue award-winning experience that includes free snacks, drinks, seatback TVs and friendly on-board attention for many new customers.”

Passengers of the inaugural flight were treated to Jamaican music, breakfast and a special celebratory cake at the gate, as well as special prizes given away during the flight.

Welcome to Kingston
The flight was received with great enthusiasm at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport with a water cannon salute and special welcome ceremony with local government officials and representatives from JetBlue.

Promotions
The Jamaica Tourist Board and JetBlue partnered with two radio stations on a series of promotions to create awareness of this new flight among the New York Caribbean Diaspora community. Promotions ran from October 15-25 on One Caribbean Radio and Irie Jam Radio, offering listeners a chance to win a trip on the October 30 inaugural flight to Jamaica and a weekend stay for two at Kingston’s newest hotel, Spanish Court Hotel. More than 3,500 entries were received.

The daily JetBlue flight departs JFK at 7:58 a.m., arriving in KIN at 11:45 a.m. The return flight departs KIN at 12:40 p.m. and arrives at JFK at 4:40 p.m. The new Kingston route represents JetBlue’s 14th international destination, and 60th destination overall.

JetBlue first introduced service to Jamaica in May 2009 with daily nonstop flights to Montego Bay, the carrier’s most successful Caribbean launch to date.