Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
FTC inquiry into personalized pricing and compensation
Investigation
The Federal Trade Commission launched an inquiry into whether Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart use consumers' or workers' personal data to set prices or compensation. As part of the inquiry, the agency ordered the companies to provide information. The inquiry concerns JetBlue alongside the other named companies and focuses on the use of personal data in pricing and compensation decisions.
The FTC launched an inquiry into whether Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart use consumers’ or workers’ personal data to set prices or compensation, and ordered the companies to provide information.
Stated objective. Assess whether prices or worker compensation vary based on personal data.
Company response
Denial — Instacart
does not and will not engage in surveillance pricing.
Denial — JetBlue
does not use personal information or web browsing history to set individual pricing.
Denial — Delta Air Lines
Delta also denied using personal data to individually price fares
Source excerpt
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it launched an inquiry into nine companies, ordering them to provide information about how they use consumers' and workers' personal data to set prices and compensation.
Federal regulators announced Wednesday that they are examining whether major airlines, ride-hailing companies, delivery services and retailers are using personal data to charge different customers different prices for the same products and services or determine how much gig workers are paid.
The orders were sent to Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart, according to the FTC.
2021
Online travel agency group sues JetBlue over fare practices
Lawsuit filed
In a controversy noted in 2021, an online travel agency group filed a lawsuit against JetBlue Airways. According to the group's allegation, the airline removed its flights from external travel portals and forced customers to book more expensive fares through its own website. The dispute centers on the airline's fare distribution practices and the removal of its flights from third-party booking platforms. The claim was made by the online travel agency group as part of its lawsuit; no further details on the proceedings were provided in the source.
An online travel agency group sued JetBlue Airways, alleging that the airline removed its flights from external travel portals and forced customers to book more expensive fares through its website.
Source excerpt
An online travel agency group is suing low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways for removing its flights from the external travel portals, forcing customers to book more expensive fares through the airline’s own website.
2021
Attorneys general sue to block American–JetBlue alliance
Lawsuit filed
In 2021, Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring joined the U.S. Department of Justice and six other attorneys general in filing an antitrust suit to block agreements between American Airlines and JetBlue. The complaint alleges that the Northeast Alliance would reduce competition and harm air travelers. These are allegations in the complaint, not a finding of liability.
Company response
Denial — American Airlines
feels confident” that the case does not provide evidence as to how the alliance is harming consumers.
Clarification — JetBlue
“This is not at all like a merger with American — we have two different business models and are not working together on pricing,” he said.
Source excerpt
Attorney General Mark R. Herring has joined the U.S. Department of Justice and six other attorneys general in filing suit to block a series of agreements between American Airlines and JetBlue through which the two airlines will consolidate their operations in Boston and New York City.
The civil antitrust complaint alleges that this extensive combination, which they call the Northeast Alliance, will not only eliminate important competition in these cities, but will also harm air travelers across the country
The Justice Department and officials in six states have filed a lawsuit to block a partnership formed by American Airlines and JetBlue, claiming that it will reduce competition and lead to higher fares.
2020
U.S. Transportation Department fines Emirates over Iran airspace flights
Fine or penalty
The U.S. Transportation Department fined Emirates $400,000 over flights through Iranian airspace in 2019 that carried JetBlue Airways’ code. Emirates disputed that the violation warranted enforcement action but agreed to the fine to settle the matter; half would be waived if it avoided similar violations for one year.
Company response
Remediation — Emirates
The airline said it fixed the error and made changes to avoid the same mistake in the future.
Source excerpt
In a consent order, Emirates said it doesn’t believe the violation deserves enforcement action but agreed to the fine to settle the matter.
The airline said it fixed the error and made changes to avoid the same mistake in the future.
2019
JetBlue apologizes over employee’s Halloween costume
Company response
In November 2019, JetBlue publicly apologized after an employee’s Halloween costume drew online criticism. The airline stated that the costume was insensitive and did not align with its costume policy. The apology followed the online reaction to the costume, and JetBlue acknowledged the issue by describing the costume as insensitive and inconsistent with its policy.
Company response
Apology — JetBlue
The situation was immediately addressed, and we apologize to anyone who was offended.
Source excerpt
The situation was immediately addressed, and we apologize to anyone who was offended.
Low-cost airline JetBlue issued a public apology after a female worker allegedly offended people online with her Halloween costume.
2007
Winter storm operational crisis
Severe winter weather in February 2007 produced extensive delays, aircraft groundings, and cancellations. JetBlue's initial reluctance to cancel flights worsened the customer impact, including prolonged waits for some passengers. The incident led to substantial criticism and a change in chief executive.