Within the airline trade, we’re more and more seeing intermodal partnerships, significantly with trains, on condition that planes can’t get you all over the place. That is logical sufficient in locations the place rail connectivity is sweet. Alongside these strains, JetBlue and Brightline have simply launched a partnership, which sounds fascinating on the floor, however disappoints with particulars, when you ask me…
How the JetBlue & Brightline collaboration works
JetBlue and Brightline have unveiled a partnership, providing prospects an air-and-rail reserving expertise for journey throughout Central and South Florida. For these not acquainted with Brightline, it’s america’ solely privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system, and at present operates between Orlando and Miami, with stops alongside the best way.
With this partnership, prospects can e book Brightline tickets instantly on jetblue.com, as a part of a mixed itinerary, offering extra choices. JetBlue Mint prospects will get Brightline’s Premium cabin, whereas economic system prospects will get Brightline’s normal Sensible product.
Brightline has stations in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Seaside, and Orlando. The Orlando station is situated instantly on the airport, whereas Brightline presents shuttle service between airports and close by stations. Be aware that you need to acquire baggage when transferring, as there’s no baggage switch between JetBlue and Brightline.
This settlement additionally expands choices throughout irregular operations, as JetBlue will be capable to incorporate Brightline segments into JetBlue tickets, to offer extra flexibility throughout flight delays and cancelations.
Right here’s how Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s VP of Community Planning and Airline Partnerships, describes this:
“As we proceed to develop in Florida and supply extra flights to and from cities like Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Seaside, and Orlando, our partnership with Brightline helps us ship much more worth and comfort to our prospects. JetBlue and Brightline share a dedication to innovation and nice service, and collectively we’re increasing transportation choices for all of our prospects to get to the place they wish to go, whether or not they’re beginning their journey, heading to their ultimate vacation spot, or adjusting plans alongside the best way.”
This partnership sounds nice in principle, however…
I after all prefer to see extra airline partnerships, and I feel there’s big worth to those sorts of intermodal agreements. Nevertheless, the execution right here simply leaves a bit to be desired, when you ask me. The 2 greatest points are as follows:
- There’s no alternative to earn or redeem TrueBlue factors, so there’s no loyalty angle right here
- The pricing simply isn’t engaging; I’ve pulled up three itineraries, and for all of them, the intermodal choice as one reserving prices extra than simply reserving the flight and prepare ticket individually
For instance, take the $271 ticket from New York to Aventura through Orlando. When you have been to e book individually, the flight would value $159, whereas the prepare ticket would value $54, for a complete of $213. So that you’re paying an additional $58, whereas not even getting any loyalty advantages.
So I’m not likely positive I see a lot worth right here? It will be good if there have been some loyalty angle, or if pricing have been really extra engaging. However primarily based on what I’m seeing, I’m not impressed.
Backside line
JetBlue and Brightline have launched an intermodal partnership, permitting air-and-rail bookings instantly by way of JetBlue’s web site and app. Whereas extra partnerships are all the time a superb factor, I don’t see a lot worth right here, sadly. There’s no TrueBlue angle, and the pricing doesn’t appear advantageous.
What do you make of this JetBlue & Brightline partnership?
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