JetBlue Airways is a low-cost airline that was founded in 1999 by CEO David Neeleman. Prior to starting JetBlue, Neeleman had already been involved in the airline industry, having co-founded Morris Air, which was eventually acquired by Southwest Airlines.
Neeleman recognized that there was a gap in the market for a low-cost airline that offered a high level of customer service, so he set out to create JetBlue. He started by raising $128 million in funding from a group of investors, including Wall Street firm Lehman Brothers.
One of the key innovations that JetBlue brought to the airline industry was its use of a single aircraft type, the Airbus A320. By using a single aircraft type, JetBlue was able to reduce its training and maintenance costs, as well as improve its efficiency.
JetBlue also focused on providing a high level of customer service, which included offering comfortable seats with more legroom than most other low-cost carriers, as well as free in-flight entertainment and snacks.
In the years since its founding, JetBlue has grown to become one of the largest and most successful low-cost carriers in the United States. It has expanded its route network to include destinations across the Americas, and has consistently ranked highly in customer satisfaction surveys.
In summary, JetBlue Airways is a low-cost airline that was founded in 1999 by CEO David Neeleman. It was created to fill a gap in the market for a low-cost airline that offered a high level of customer service, and has since become one of the largest and most successful low-cost carriers in the United States. JetBlue's success can be attributed to its focus on using a single aircraft type, as well as its commitment to providing a high level of customer service.