JetBlue added 27 daily flights out of Spirit's home base Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood Intl after the carrier shut down, instantly becoming the airport's largest airline and a new profit lever for the struggling carrier. CEO Joanna Geraghty said the move captures thousands of displaced travelers and bolsters the airline’s South Florida footprint.

JetBlue has wrestled with rising costs since 2019, with operating expenses climbing almost 29 % while revenue grew just 13 %. The airline has lost money every year and carries $8.5 billion of debt. A blocked partnership with American and a failed Spirit acquisition left it unable to scale against the majors, while higher fuel prices and engine inspections have further squeezed margins.

The JetForward turnaround plan pivots on premium credit cards, first‑class domestic seats and new lounges at JFK and Boston. Analysts view the Fort Lauderdale expansion as the only clear growth lever, but competition at New York and Boston remains fierce. With its balance sheet still strained, JetBlue now leans on South Florida to steady cash flow and prove its profitability plan works.