Spirit Airlines shut down on Saturday, ending 34 years of ultra-low-cost flying. Within hours, JetBlue announced it would take over 11 routes from Spirit’s former Fort Lauderdale hub, with service starting July 2026. If you had a Spirit booking to the Caribbean, the Midwest, or the West Coast, this is your new plan.
Here is the full list of new JetBlue routes, what they cost, and whether you should book them or wait.
Photo by Sachin Amjhad on Unsplash
The Complete Route List: Where JetBlue Is Flying From Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue is launching 11 nonstop routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) beginning July 2026. Most routes run 1–3 times daily. Here is the full breakdown:
| Destination | Flights per Day | Start Date | Approx. One-Way Fare (Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville (BNA) | 3x daily | July 1, 2026 | $59–$89 |
| Kansas City (MCI) | 2x daily | July 2, 2026 | $69–$99 |
| St. Louis (STL) | 2x daily | July 2, 2026 | $69–$99 |
| Columbus (CMH) | 2x daily | July 3, 2026 | $79–$109 |
| Milwaukee (MKE) | 1x daily | July 4, 2026 | $79–$109 |
| San Juan (SJU) | 3x daily | July 1, 2026 | $49–$79 |
| Santo Domingo (SDQ) | 2x daily | July 1, 2026 | $59–$89 |
| Montego Bay (MBJ) | 2x daily | July 2, 2026 | $69–$99 |
| Punta Cana (PUJ) | 1x daily | July 3, 2026 | $69–$99 |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 2x daily | July 1, 2026 | $99–$149 |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 1x daily | July 2, 2026 | $119–$169 |
Pricing is based on JetBlue’s introductory fares as of May 3, 2026. These are one-way Blue Basic fares before taxes and fees. Baggage and seat selection cost extra.
Why This Matters Right Now
Spirit’s shutdown left a massive hole at Fort Lauderdale. The airline operated roughly 200 daily flights from FLL, mostly to smaller cities and Caribbean islands that legacy carriers ignored. JetBlue already had a strong FLL operation with 80+ daily flights. Adding these 11 routes gives them roughly 100 daily departures from Fort Lauderdale, making them the second-largest carrier there behind Southwest.
For travelers, this means you still have nonstop options to places like Milwaukee, Columbus, and Kansas City—routes that might have disappeared entirely. JetBlue is “filling the void,” as CEO Joanna Geraghty put it in the announcement Saturday evening.
Nashville: The Big Winner
Three daily flights to Nashville is aggressive. JetBlue clearly sees demand for Music City connections from South Florida. Nashville has exploded as a weekend destination, and with Spirit gone, JetBlue is grabbing that market share.
Pros: Three daily frequencies give you flexibility. Morning, midday, and evening options. JetBlue’s Even More Space seats ($15–$45 extra) are worth it on a 2.5-hour flight. Free DirecTV and high-speed Wi-Fi ($9–$15) beat Spirit’s pay-per-view model.
Cons: Introductory fares of $59 are promotional. Expect those to jump to $89–$119 within weeks. JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare does not include a carry-on bag (only a personal item). That is a $35 add-on each way.
Who it’s best for: Travelers who value a decent seat and free entertainment over rock-bottom prices. If you need to check a bag, factor in $35–$50 extra.
Caribbean Routes: San Juan, Santo Domingo, Montego Bay, Punta Cana
JetBlue already flies to all four of these destinations from other East Coast cities. Adding them from Fort Lauderdale creates a strong connecting hub for Caribbean travel.
San Juan (3x daily) is the standout. Three daily flights means you can do a day trip if you’re insane, or a long weekend without burning a vacation day. Fares start at $49, which is competitive with Frontier and Southwest.
Santo Domingo (2x daily) is a lifeline for Dominican diaspora travelers. Spirit had 4 daily flights on this route. JetBlue’s 2 daily is a cut, but the product is better—more legroom, better snacks, and actual customer service if something goes wrong.
Montego Bay and Punta Cana are pure leisure routes. JetBlue’s Mint business class ($299–$499 one-way) is available on some of these flights. That’s a solid deal for a 3-hour flight to the Caribbean with lie-flat seats.
Pros: JetBlue’s Caribbean product is underrated. Free beer and wine on Caribbean flights. The seats are comfortable. The crew tends to be friendlier than on domestic routes.
Cons: These routes are seasonal in terms of demand. Summer fares will be cheap, but December–April will see $200+ one-way prices. Also, JetBlue has a history of delaying Caribbean flights due to air traffic control issues in the region.
Who it’s best for: Anyone visiting family in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. Also good for couples heading to all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica or Punta Cana who want a better experience than Frontier.
West Coast: Los Angeles and San Francisco
Two daily LAX flights and one daily SFO flight is a modest addition, but it’s significant for JetBlue’s West Coast strategy. JetBlue already flies LAX–FLL and SFO–FLL, so these aren’t new city pairs—they’re adding frequency.
Los Angeles (2x daily): One morning departure, one evening. The morning flight gets you into LAX around 11 AM Pacific, perfect for a business meeting or an afternoon at the beach. The evening flight leaves FLL at 6 PM, arrives LAX at 9 PM.
San Francisco (1x daily): Only one flight, but it’s timed well—departs FLL at 8 AM, arrives SFO at 11 AM Pacific.
Pros: JetBlue’s Mint Studio seats on these routes are some of the best domestic business class products. If you can snag a Mint fare for $299–$399, it’s a steal compared to Delta or American at $600+.
Cons: JetBlue’s transcontinental product has been inconsistent. Some flights use older A320s without power ports at every seat. The Wi-Fi is free for Mint passengers but can be slow over the Rockies. Also, JetBlue does not have lounge access at FLL or on the West Coast.
Who it’s best for: Travelers willing to pay extra for Mint. If you’re flying economy, you’re better off on Southwest (free bags) or American (more frequency).
Midwest Routes: Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbus, Milwaukee
These four cities are the heart of JetBlue’s “fill the void” strategy. Spirit had strong routes to all of them, and JetBlue is stepping in with 1–2 daily flights each.
Kansas City (2x daily): Morning and evening. The evening flight is great for a weekend getaway—leave work at 5 PM, be on the beach by 8 PM.
St. Louis (2x daily): Similar schedule. St. Louis has a growing tourism scene (City Museum, Cardinals games, barbecue), and JetBlue is betting on demand.
Columbus (2x daily): Ohio State University traffic alone will fill these flights. Columbus also has a strong business community with Nationwide, L Brands, and Honda.
Milwaukee (1x daily): Only one flight, but it’s timed for summer travel. Milwaukee in July is beautiful—Summerfest, lakefront, breweries. This route will likely be seasonal.
Pros: These are underserved routes from FLL. No other airline offers nonstop service to Columbus or Milwaukee from Fort Lauderdale. JetBlue is the only option.
Cons: Single daily flights (Milwaukee) mean if the flight cancels, you’re waiting until the next day. JetBlue’s reliability has improved but still lags Delta and Southwest. Also, these Midwest routes use smaller E190 aircraft with no Mint cabin.
Who it’s best for: Midwesterners with Florida second homes. Also good for college students flying to and from school—JetBlue’s student discount (5% off) helps.
Photo by Megan Majocha on Unsplash
What Challenges Does JetBlue Face Now?
JetBlue is not out of the woods. Taking over Spirit’s routes comes with real problems.
Aircraft availability: JetBlue is using existing planes from its fleet. They are not buying new aircraft for these routes. That means less flexibility if demand spikes. If a plane goes down for maintenance, JetBlue may have to cancel flights rather than find a replacement.
Crew shortages: JetBlue has been hiring pilots and flight attendants, but the airline industry is still recovering from the 2020–2022 hiring crisis. Expect delays, especially on the Milwaukee and Columbus routes where crews may need to overnight.
Spirit’s customer base: Spirit passengers are used to paying $19 for a flight and $80 for bags. JetBlue’s lowest fare is $59 with a restrictive carry-on policy. Some travelers will sticker shock. JetBlue needs to convince those customers that the better experience is worth the extra $40–$60.
Competition: Southwest still dominates FLL with 150+ daily flights. Frontier and Allegiant are adding routes too. JetBlue is not the only budget option anymore. They need to differentiate on service, not just price.
How to Book These Routes: Strategy Tips
Book early for the best fares. Introductory fares of $49–$59 will not last. JetBlue typically raises prices 2–3 weeks after announcing new routes. If you know you’re flying in July or August, book now.
Avoid Blue Basic unless you travel light. JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare does not include a carry-on bag. You get one personal item (backpack or purse) that must fit under the seat. If you need a carry-on, pay $35 extra or upgrade to Blue ($15–$30 more one-way) which includes a carry-on and seat selection.
Use JetBlue’s points if you have them. JetBlue’s TrueBlue program is straightforward: 100 points = $1 off. A $59 fare costs 5,900 points. If you have a JetBlue credit card, you earn 3x points on JetBlue purchases. Sign up for the JetBlue Plus Card (AFFILIATE_LINK_JETBLUE_PLUS_CARD) if you plan to fly these routes regularly.
Consider the JetBlue Plus Card for perks. It gives you free checked bag, 5,000 bonus points after first purchase, and 50% inflight savings. For Midwest travelers flying 2–3 times per year, the card pays for itself.
Check Southwest too. Southwest has overlapping routes to Nashville, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Southwest includes two free checked bags. If you’re checking bags, Southwest may be cheaper even if the base fare is higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens to my existing Spirit booking?
A: Spirit has filed for Chapter 7 liquidation. All flights are canceled. You will not get a refund automatically—you must file a claim with Spirit’s bankruptcy court. Most credit card companies are offering chargebacks for Spirit purchases made within the last 60 days. Call your card issuer immediately. JetBlue is not honoring Spirit tickets, but they are offering a $25 discount code for former Spirit customers who book by June 30, 2026.
Q: Will JetBlue add more Spirit routes later?
A: Possibly. JetBlue has said they are evaluating additional routes from FLL, including to Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. No timeline yet. JetBlue also has slots at FLL that Spirit used to hold, so they have room to grow.
Q: Is JetBlue adding these routes permanently or just for summer?
A: JetBlue has committed to year-round service on 9 of the 11 routes. Milwaukee and Punta Cana may become seasonal (summer only) depending on demand. JetBlue will announce any changes by September 2026.
Q: Are these routes available on JetBlue’s website now?
A: Yes. As of May 3, 2026, all 11 routes are bookable at jetblue.com. Flights start July 1, 2026. You can book through October 2026 currently. Winter 2026–2027 schedules will be released in June.
Q: How does JetBlue compare to Spirit on these routes?
A: JetBlue is significantly better. You get free DirecTV, free snacks (Terra Blues chips, cookies), and more legroom (32-inch pitch vs. Spirit’s 28-inch). The trade-off: JetBlue is $30–$60 more expensive per ticket. For most travelers, the extra cost is worth it. If you’re on a strict budget, check Frontier or Southwest.
The Bottom Line
JetBlue’s 11 new routes from Fort Lauderdale are a lifeline for travelers who relied on Spirit. The service is better, the planes are nicer, and the schedule is solid. But JetBlue is not a true ultra-low-cost carrier. You will pay more, and you will get more.
If you fly to the Caribbean, the Midwest, or the West Coast from South Florida, these routes are your new normal. Book early, pack light, and download the JetBlue app for mobile boarding passes.
Last updated: 2026-05-03
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