JetBlue’s partnership with Vault Health is part of the airline’s broader safety from the Ground Up program, which focuses on healthy crew members, clean air and surfaces, more space and fewer touch points, as well as travel flexibility. The airline is dedicated to continuing to evolve this program while focusing on ensuring customers who want or need to travel feel comfortable.
JetBlue announced Aruba is the first Caribbean nation to partner with the airline for seamless entry testing through JetBlue’s testing partner, Vault. The decision by Aruba to begin accepting the convenient PCR test facilitated by Vault’s technology platform for JetBlue customers arriving at the island was made after assessing the supervised testing process. It also comes as a result of the airline’s initiative to work with destination regions to promote safer travel with easy testing. JetBlue and Aruba are equally dedicated to helping keep those working and traveling safe while providing viable options for those who want or need to travel, including those seeking to vacation.
The supervised at-home test facilitated by Vault’s platform is the first and only saliva-based test accepted for entry of JetBlue customers by Aruban authorities. The test option with Vault provides convenience, quick turnaround, and accuracy. Vault facilitates all testing conducted by its collaborating laboratory. JetBlue’s customers receive a dedicated customer support phone line through the process.
In addition to priority support, Vault has created a dedicated landing page for JetBlue customers with current travel scheduled to Aruba, located at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/aruba/.
The reason why JetBlue is the number one airline for many years for Aruba.
JetBlue is currently flying from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK) to Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). On November 21st, JetBlue is also scheduled to launch new, non-stop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). This new route is part of JetBlue’s strategy to serve customers in markets where leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel is showing some signs of strength.
Through our Safety From the Ground Up program, JetBlue has taken a layered approach to safety for our crew members and customers. Very early in the pandemic, JetBlue led the industry in limiting the number of customers on board to give everyone more space. While this action helped reassure customers of our commitment to their well-being during a time of collective uncertainty, we have always been confident that the potential for transmission on the aircraft is extremely low. The cabin air system and hospital-grade HEPA filters make the aircraft safer than most other indoor environments, and our face coverings policy – the first among U.S. airlines – provides an additional layer of safety.
A growing number of studies from respected researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, IATA, and Airbus now validate and support this understanding. Studies like the recent report from Harvard researchers confirm that the layers of protection we have in place make the aircraft as safe or substantially safer than other more common settings, like grocery shopping or indoor dining. The research shows that the advanced hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems actually compensates for the reduced distance between customers. In fact, the Department of Defense found the air in our cabins to be as safe or safer than the air in your own home or in a hospital operating room.
With the science validating the safety of the aircraft cabin, JetBlue will phase out seat blocks by early 2021:
- We previously announced plans to limit onboard capacity to 70% and no longer guarantee empty middle or adjacent seats for travel from October 15 through December 1.
- During the busy holiday season, from December 2 through January 7, 2021, we will limit onboard capacity to 85%, but specific seats will no longer be blocked, and we will not guarantee empty middle or adjacent seats.
- Starting January 8, 2021, we’ll make all seats available for sale during the winter period when demand is typically lower and flights are often less full.
Throughout the pandemic, we’ve given customers flexibility in their travel. With today’s update to our policy, we’ll do the right thing by offering flexibility for those who want to change their plans. Our current Back and Forth With Confidence program offers changes and cancellations with no fees for any travel dates. Customers who booked on or before November 13 for travel on January 8 or later are eligible for a full refund to their original form of payment if requested by November 27.
Contacts
JetBlue Corporate Communications
Tel: +1.718.709.3089
corpcomm@jetblue.com
