JetBlue faces another blue, AA increases NY flights

American Airlines today unveiled its latest New York strategy rolling out 11 daily flights and six nonstop destinations from John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. The airlines also announced an ad campaign propagating the airline’s global network and benefits for the business fliers.

The announcement comes at a time when JetBlue is facing an image tarnishing after its full-scale operational collapse that resulted from an ice storm on the East Coast last week, beleaguering the low cost-carrier. The New York-based airline canceled nearly 1,000 flights over six days.

Targeting the operational halt that struck JetBlue, C. David Cush, senior vice president of global sales at Fort Worth-based American Airlines highlighted American’s strength as reliable and long-standing. “It has more to offer New York travelers, particularly business fliers,” he emphasized.

Announcing the company plans, Cush said, “It's important to be big in New York because it is the largest, most lucrative travel market in the world.”

“While you hear a lot about JetBlue and some of these other newcomers, we really consider New York to be American’s market, and we’re trying to re-establish our image there,” Cush added.

In the plans for new launches, American Airlines plans a service from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Cincinnati, a major hub for Delta Air Lines Inc. in April.

Service from John F. Kennedy airport to Las Vegas and from LaGuardia airport to Louisville will launch in September.

Further in the revamping move, American finishes the latest phase of its $1.1 billion terminal at John F. Kennedy and also beefs up business-class facilities on international flights.

The airline added new first-class seats and entertainment equipment in its Boeing 767-200s that fly on the trans-continental routes and also upgraded its business section by adding lie-flat seats.

Largest in the world in terms of total passengers-miles transported and fleet size, American Airlines serves 157 cities with a fleet of 672 aircraft.

In the New York region, the Airline clinches a 14.2 percent market share, with 14.8 million passengers.

Meanwhile, hoping to win back passengers, JetBlue Airways introduced a customer bill of rights on Tuesday that promises vouchers to fliers who experience delays.

JetBlue's passenger bill of rights:

If a flight is canceled within 12 hours of its departure because of problems within its control, customers can ask for a full refund, a credit or a voucher.

If a flight is delayed in a situation within its control, passengers would receive vouchers ranging from $25 to the full amount of a round-trip ticket, depending on the length of the delay.

If a flight lands but can't make from taxi to its gate within 30 minutes, compensation will be made.

If a plane's departure is delayed for more than three hours, passengers will be eligible for vouchers of at least $100 and up to the value of the ticket.

If an aircraft is delayed on the ground for five hours, passengers will be deplaned.