JetBlue Airlines 2009 Annual Report Download - page 12

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•New and efficient aircraft. We maintain a fleet consisting of only two types of aircraft, the Airbus
A320 and the EMBRAER 190, which, with an average age of only 4.3 years, is the youngest fleet
of any major U.S. airline. We believe that operating a young fleet having the latest technologies
results in our aircraft being more efficient and dependable than older aircraft. We operate the
world’s largest fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, and have the best dispatch reliability of all U.S major
Airbus A320 aircraft operators. Operating only two types of aircraft, both of which are newer
aircraft types, results in cost savings over our competitors (who generally operate more aircraft
types) as maintenance processes are simplified, spare parts inventory requirements are reduced,
scheduling is simplified and training costs are lower.
Brand Strength. We believe we have created a widely recognized brand that differentiates us from our
competitors and identifies us as a safe, reliable, value-added airline focused on customer service and which
provides a high quality travel experience. Similarly, we believe customer awareness of our brand has
contributed to the success of our marketing efforts, and enables us to market ourselves as a preferred
marketing partner with companies across many different industries. In 2009, we were voted “Top Low Cost
Airline for Customer Satisfaction” by J.D. Power and Associates for the fifth consecutive year. We also earned
distinctions as the “Best Large Domestic Airline (economy class)”, “Best Inflight Entertainment (domestic
flights)” and “Most Eco-friendly Airline” in the 2009 Zagat Airline Survey. Additionally, the JetBlue
Experience won us “Best Onboard Entertainment-Domestic Airline” from the 2009 Smarter Traveler Readers’
Choice Awards, an “Extra Mile” award from Budget Travel, and was recognized by AIGA for Design
Excellence.
Strength of Our People. We believe we have developed a strong and vibrant service-oriented company
culture built around our five key values: Safety, Caring, Integrity, Fun and Passion. Our success depends on
our ability to continue hiring, retaining, and developing people who are friendly, helpful, team-oriented and
committed to delivering the JetBlue Experience to our customers. Our culture is reinforced through an
extensive orientation program for our new employees which emphasizes the importance of customer service,
productivity and cost control. We also provide extensive training for our employees, including a leadership
program and other training that emphasizes the importance of safety.
None of our employees are currently unionized. We believe a direct relationship with JetBlue leadership,
not third-party representation, is in the best interests of our employees, customers, and shareholders. We enter
into individual employment agreements with each of our Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, licensed
employees, which consist of pilots, dispatchers and technicians. Each employment agreement is for a term of
five years and renews for an additional five-year term unless the employee is terminated for cause or the
employee elects not to renew. Pursuant to these agreements, these employees can only be terminated for cause.
In the event of a downturn in our business that would require a reduction in work hours, we are obligated to
pay these employees a guaranteed level of income and to continue their benefits. In addition, we provide what
we believe to be industry-leading job protection language in the agreements in the event of a merger or
acquisition scenario, including the establishment of a legal defense fund to utilize for seniority integration
negotiations.
Our full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2009 consisted of 1,797 pilots, 2,027 flight
attendants, 3,409 airport operations personnel, 467 technicians (whom others refer to as mechanics),
869 reservation agents, and 2,502 management and other personnel. At December 31, 2009, we employed
9,180 full-time and 3,352 part-time employees.
Our leadership team has extensive and diverse airline industry experience and strives to communicate on
a regular basis with all JetBlue employees, keeping them informed about JetBlue events and soliciting
feedback for ways to improve our service, teamwork and employees’ work environment.
Well-Positioned in New York Metropolitan Area — the Nation’s Largest Travel Market.
Since 2000, the majority of our operations have originated in New York City, the nation’s largest travel
market. We are the largest airline at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, as measured
by passengers and, by the end of 2009, our domestic operations at JFK accounted for more than 40% of all
domestic passengers at that airport. In addition to JFK, we serve Newark’s Liberty International Airport,
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