JetBlue doubles down on Fort Lauderdale with lounge plans and international push

JetBlue Airways already dominates Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, but the carrier isn’t slowing down. With a growing share of gates and passengers, the airline is mapping out a future that includes a premium lounge, more international routes, and a daily flight schedule that could rival its Boston hub.

“Lauderdale has been a star for us,” said JetBlue President Marty St. George. The airline now controls 36% of the airport’s capacity, up from 24% a year ago, according to Cirium data. Daily flights have jumped from about 68 to 106, with plans to hit 150 during peak winter travel.

The expansion was already underway before Spirit Airlines, formerly the airport’s top carrier, filed for bankruptcy in May. JetBlue quickly moved to fill the void, adding flights and raising its revenue forecast on stronger demand.

A key part of the strategy is premium service. JetBlue is scouting locations for its third airport lounge—joining existing ones at New York’s JFK and Boston Logan—to cater to business and high-end leisure travelers flying out of Fort Lauderdale. “We just have to find the right location,” St. George said.

International growth is also central. JetBlue recently launched flights to Caracas, Venezuela, and plans to add more destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. That puts it in direct competition with American Airlines’ massive hub at Miami International Airport, just 26 miles south. American is ramping up too, with plans for a record 100 destinations in the region, including new routes to Haiti and Venezuela.

Still, St. George isn’t trying to steal Miami loyalists. “There’s a good number of customers for whom Miami is the right airport,” he said. “But as we grow Fort Lauderdale’s reach, more travelers will see its value.”