U.S.-based airline JetBlue, which has been struggling with financial difficulties and rising costs, has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2026. The airline reported a pre-tax loss of $144 million for the quarter, bringing its total pre-tax loss for the first nine months of the year to $509 million.
JetBlue’s operating revenue increased by 21.1% year-over-year to $2.8 billion in the third quarter. However, rising fuel costs negatively affected the airline’s financial performance. The average fuel cost per gallon surged by 57% compared to the same period last year, reaching $3.91. The company reported total liquidity of $2.2 billion, including an undrawn credit facility of $600 million.
Despite its financial challenges, JetBlue continues to expand its operations, increasing capacity at Fort Lauderdale by more than 65% year-over-year. The airline plans to operate more than 150 daily departures during the winter season and introduce its new first-class product, BlueFirst, on the Boston–Fort Lauderdale route on December 8.
As part of its financial recovery strategy, JetBlue aims to achieve sustainable operating profitability in 2027, followed by earnings of at least $1 per share and positive free cash flow in 2028.
