Jet Blue in Brazil?

Posted by Nicholas Gill Mar 31, 2008

The founder of JetBlue Airways, David Neeleman who was born in Brazil and holds dual citizenship, announced plans for a new Brazilian airline last week in Sao Paulo. The airline will begin small, with just a few jets, but will rapdily expand with 36 Brazilian made jets with a cost of $1.4 billion.

Considering that air travel in Brazil is 50 percent more expensive than in the United States, the idea is sure to be a welcome one. Like JetBlue, the Brazilian airline will have leather seats and live television in each seat back. The airline is expected to launce in early 2009 and expand by one plane per month.

Brazil actually has two other airlines, GOL and TAM, however, the new airline is expected to offer btter prices and serve new markets. Apart from flights to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo, all Brazilian air space is wide open.

Jet Blue turned heads in the US by using new jets and offering better than expected service, while still managing to be a low-cost air carrier.