CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – JetBlue is returning to Charlotte with new nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale for the first time since 2024, the airline announced this week, shortly after Spirit Airlines shut down indefinitely.<\/p>\n
JetBlue announced the move on Monday, May 4 as part of a broader expansion<\/a> following the collapse of one of its major competitors. Spirit Airlines went out of business after failing to secure a $500 million federal buyout<\/a>.<\/p>\n JetBlue said it plans to expand service<\/a> at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as part of \u201can effort to support travelers following the shutdown of Spirit Airlines.\u201d <\/p>\n The airline also announced $99 \u201crescue fares\u201d and plans to add 10 other destinations from Fort Lauderdale in addition to the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport flight.<\/p>\n The Charlotte expansion is set to begin July 9, 2026, with three daily flights between the Queen City and Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re stepping up for Fort Lauderdale to ensure the availability of air service in this market,\u201d JetBlue President Marty St. George said in a press release.<\/p>\n JetBlue\u2019s expansion includes other destinations such as Baltimore and Indianapolis, along with new international service to cities in Colombia. JetBlue is also adding flights on existing routes from Fort Lauderdale to destinations like Detroit, Houston, Chicago and Ponce, Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n