JetBlue Pilots Respond to Company’s System-Wide Scheduling Failures

Washington, D.C.—Today, Capt. Wayne Scales, chairman of the JetBlue Master Executive Council, part of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, responded to the Company’s continued record of operational failures that resulted this past weekend in canceled flights, crews being out of position, and pilots stranded overnight in airports. 

“This weekend, JetBlue canceled a significant portion of its schedule, including reducing its operations at JFK Airport by half. The conditions for customers were often made worse with unnecessary and extensive delays across JetBlue’s entire network. In addition to customers scrambling for alternative arrangements, crews were unable to be positioned where they were needed most due to ongoing outages in the Company’s scheduling system. JetBlue’s Crew Scheduling department was effectively unreachable, with pilots experiencing hours-long hold times. Many pilots and crews were left stranded at the airport as the Company failed to even provide overnight accommodations.

“JetBlue pilots continue to provide customers with reliable, safe service but were hobbled by an airline operation that failed them at every turn. JetBlue management claims that they are working to stabilize the airline and build consumer trust only to have these systems collapse week after week, weather incident after weather incident. Customers need to be able to book having confidence in a reliable operation. They deserve far better than what they experienced over this weekend. JetBlue management must provide necessary scheduling software, hotel accommodations for pilot rest, and resources to staff flights and meet the expectations of our customers.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines, including more than 4,600 JetBlue pilots. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org