JetBlue Axes New Northeast Routes as Trump’s Policies Dent Travel Demand

JetBlue has scrapped two new routes from Boston, including one to Long Island, as the airline industry grapples with lower travel demand sparked by several of President Donald Trump’s policies.

The airline has decided to cancel its scheduled summertime route connecting Boston Logan International Airport and Long Island MacArthur Airport located in Islip, New York. A representative from JetBlue informed the Daily Voice about this cancellation on Wednesday, April 30.

JetBlue mentioned that the tickets for the route did not sell well.

The excitement around launching our summer seasonal service from Islip to Boston has been dampened as we’ve decided to cancel this new route due to lower than anticipated booking numbers,” stated the spokesperson. “This decision reflects some of the measures we’re implementing to navigate the challenges posed by weaker-than-anticipated travel demand and current economic uncertainties. We understand how frustrating this might be for passengers who have already made their reservations, and we deeply regret any disruption caused.

Passengers with tickets for Boston-Islip flights have the option to get a refund or opt for flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport instead.

JetBlue has temporarily halted its entry into a key city in the Canadian Maritimes. The carrier will not launch its planned summertime flights connecting Boston with Halifax, located in Nova Scotia.

Passengers on the Boston-Halifax routes will receive refunds or have their bookings rescheduled as well.

The spokesperson stated that they will keep assessing the potential for initiating services to Halifax come next summer.

The flights to Boston were part of a
broader Northeast expansion
JetBlue made an announcement in January, shortly before Trump went back to the White House. These flights, which remain scheduled, will cover routes such as those from JFK to Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as introduce a new path connecting Newark, New Jersey, with the Dominican Republic.

JetBlue’s retreat comes as domestic and international travel demand in the US is declining.

CNBC
It has been reported that leaders from airlines such as American, Delta, Southwest, and United have expressed concerns that Americans are not making domestic travel reservations with the enthusiasm initially anticipated. This situation arises even though there was increased optimism at the beginning of the year.

In recent earnings discussions, key figures in the industry highlighted Trump’s frequently shifting tariff policies, coupled with market volatility and broad economic upheaval.

“When people discuss their potential vacations and plan to use their hard-earned money, they generally don’t enjoy dealing with uncertainties,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated during a conference call on Thursday, April 24.

Travelers from abroad have likewise decreased their visits to the US.

In addition to the economic fluctuations, numerous prospective international visitors have been concerned that Trump’s stringent approach towards immigration might jeopardize their vacation arrangements.
U.S. Travel Association
mentioned that according to federal data, international visits to the U.S. decreased by roughly 14% in March when compared to the same period in 2024.

The suspension of flights from Halifax is probably due to a decline in Canadian travelers going south of their border. Data from Statistics Canada shows that in March, there was a 25% drop compared to last year for overnight road trips to the U.S., with air travel experiencing an even steeper fall at 14% lower than the previous year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, plane ticket prices fell by 5.3% in March when compared to the same period in 2024 due to decreasing demand.