JetBlue Airways yesterday officially welcomed Aer Lingus to JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. This move will benefit customers connecting to one of JetBlue’s many destinations across the USA, providing same terminal connections, one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in for travel on both airlines from the USA to Ireland and beyond. Effective 14th April 2013, the minimum connection time from Ireland arrivals to US departures will be reduced to approximately 60 minutes. Customers travelling to Ireland will enjoy connections as fast as 40 minutes. 
The two airlines recently announced a codeshare agreement that expands the 2008 partnership linking the two carriers’ networks at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston’s Logan International Airport. Codeshare flights will be available for sale through local and online travel agencies for travel on or after 15th April 2013.
To welcome the new carrier, JetBlue has enhanced the menu offerings in many of the award-winning T5 restaurants, expanded both the size and selection of the T5 duty free/duty paid store, and added a new customer lounge, to be opened soon and available to all on a pay-per-use basis. JetBlue will provide groundhandling services for Aer Lingus at Terminal 5 as part of the agreement. JetBlue’s Terminal 5 was the only domestic terminal in Frommers.com list of the 10 World’s Most Beautiful Airport Terminals in 2012.
Marty St George, JetBlue’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy, was joined by Kevin Reichart, Aer Lingus Vice President Customer Service and Airport Operations North America, to celebrate the airline’s move. Celebrations included Irish dancers in the terminal’s central marketplace, as well as Irish snacks and JetBlue’s signature Terra Blues Potato Chips.
“We are pleased to welcome Aer Lingus, our long-time partners, into our home at Terminal 5,” said Marty. “This move will not only strengthen our partnership but provide customers with expedited connection times and seamless travel between the USA and Ireland. Further, Aer Lingus customers will be able to enjoy our award-winning facility when arriving and departing to Ireland.”
Kevin added: “We are excited about our move to JetBlue’s state-of-the-art Terminal 5. This is a further development of our partnership. Aer Lingus and JetBlue share a dedication to our customers and enjoy reputations for providing great value service. Customers will now enjoy the convenience of same terminal connections and faster connecting times, in addition to the unique T5 experience.”
