The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) levied a $2 million fine against JetBlue Airways, marking the first time an airline has been penalized for chronically delayed flights on specific routes. The DOT cited JetBlue’s “unrealistic” scheduling practices as the root cause of the persistent delays, declaring that these practices render air travel unreliable for passengers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the significance of the action, stating that it serves as a clear message to the entire airline industry: flight schedules must accurately reflect operational realities.
The DOT defines “chronic delays” as flights operating at least ten times monthly, with arrival times exceeding 30 minutes late on over 50% of occasions. Their investigation revealed that JetBlue operated four chronically delayed flights a minimum of 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023, each experiencing chronic delays for at least five consecutive months. These flights included routes between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and between Fort Lauderdale and both Orlando and Windsor Locks. The DOT’s statement highlighted that despite a prior warning regarding delays on the JFK-Raleigh route, JetBlue continued operating additional chronically delayed flights, resulting in a total of 395 delays and cancellations across the four routes. The DOT emphasized that regardless of the specific cause of delay, JetBlue possessed sufficient time to take preventative action.
JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski countered with a statement emphasizing the airline’s investment of “tens of millions of dollars” to mitigate flight delays. He cited improved on-time performance in 2024, including during the peak summer travel season, as evidence of their efforts. However, this fine represents yet another setback for JetBlue in a challenging year. The airline previously abandoned its $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines following a court injunction and has announced further cuts to less profitable routes. Recent negative press also includes reports of passengers stranded and treated poorly due to significant flight delays. These compounding issues cast a shadow on JetBlue’s previously strong reputation for customer satisfaction and spacious seating.