JetBlue Announces First Quarter 2025 Results

Beat midpoint of unit cost guidance and posted unit revenue within initial range, aided by strong JetForward traction

Ended 1Q25 with $3.8B of liquidity, providing runway to continue executing on multi-year JetForward plan

Proactively managing capacity and evaluating cost levers to navigate evolving macro backdrop

JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025.

"During the first quarter, we delivered a strong operation and efficiently executed on costs. JetForward is ramping well, and we are focused on successfully managing what we can control," said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue's chief executive officer. "We also acted urgently to manage near-term revenue uncertainty. We were the first carrier to make meaningful capacity adjustments, swiftly moving to better match supply with demand. As we continue to monitor the evolving macro backdrop, we are evaluating all levers available to us to boost profitability and preserve cash, including additional capacity reductions, targeted cost savings, and further evaluation of our fleet retirement schedule. Given the macroeconomic uncertainty, we are not re-affirming our prior full-year guidance."

"Operational improvements made over the quarter are especially notable, as our investments in reliability, tied to our JetForward strategy, have driven year-over-year improvement in on-time performance over the last three quarters and resulted in significant increases in customer satisfaction and cost savings," said Geraghty. "From our impressive operation over the quarter to the early success of our products and perks initiatives, such as EvenMore^® and our premium co-branded card, we are seeing encouraging signs that JetForward is working and that it is the right plan. Thank you to our crewmembers for your commitment to running a safe and reliable operation and to your commitment to the JetForward strategy. Your dedication to offering the caring service JetBlue is known for makes a significant impact on the customer experience and is a core reason new and loyal customers keep coming back to fly JetBlue."

Prudent Balance Sheet Decisions Provide Solid Runway for JetForward

JetBlue remains well positioned to manage through a range of economic outcomes. Over the past 16 months, the company took prudent decisions to raise capital ($3.2 billion strategic financing in 2024) and manage upcoming capital expenditures (~$3 billion aircraft deferral in 2024) to provide JetBlue the runway to execute JetForward.

In addition to current liquidity levels, the company has over $5 billion in unencumbered assets, consisting primarily of aircraft, engines, and slots, gates, and routes.

"We've already taken a number of steps to build a more resilient financial foundation, and we continue to evaluate all avenues to improve our financial results," said Ursula Hurley, JetBlue's chief financial officer. "We remain confident JetForward will drive enduring structural changes on our path to sustained profitability, and we saw encouraging progress in the first quarter."

Encouraging JetForward Progress in the First Quarter

• Reliable & Caring Service
  • Reliability investments drove a four point year-over-year improvement in A14 as well as a double-digit improvement in Net Promoter Score, marking consecutive quarterly gains for both metrics.
  • Reliability initiatives from JetForward drove improved operational performance alongside cost savings worth ~0.75pts of CASM ex-fuel ⁽¹⁾ in 1Q.
• Best East Coast Leisure Network
  • Efforts to build depth where customers know and love the JetBlue brand are showing strong early progress, and new BlueCities in the northeast are demonstrating margin strength relative to the system.
• Products & Perks Customers Value
  • Launched further enhancements to our EvenMore^® product by adding additional amenities such as dedicated overhead bin space, free alcohol and a premium snack.
  • New products & perks, including preferred seating, continue to perform in-line with or ahead of expectations.
  • Premium co-branded credit card launched in January and quickly met sign-up targets, a testament to the strength of our brand and loyalty program.
• A Secure Financial Future
  • Continue to make progress on JetForward cost program executing technology driven efficiencies in our operational and commercial functions, enhancing our planning and sourcing strategies, and unlocking savings from cross-functional fuel burn optimization efforts.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

• Net loss for the first quarter of 2025 under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") of $208 million or $(0.59) per share. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the first quarter of 2025 of $209 million ⁽¹⁾ or $(0.59) ⁽¹⁾ per share.
• First quarter 2025 system capacity decreased by 4.3% year-over-year.
• Operating revenue of $2.1 billion for the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 3.1% year-over-year.
• Operating expense of $2.3 billion for the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 21.0% year-over-year.
• Operating expense of $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025, decreased 2.2% ⁽¹⁾ year-over-year, excluding special items in 2024. There were no special items in the first quarter of 2025.
• Operating expense per available seat mile ("CASM") for the first quarter of 2025 decreased 17.4% year-over-year.
• Operating expense per available seat mile, excluding fuel, other non-airline operating expenses, and special items ("CASM ex-Fuel") ⁽¹⁾ for the first quarter of 2025 increased 8.3% ⁽¹⁾ year-over-year.
• Operating margin of (8.2)% for the first quarter of 2025.
• Average fuel price in the first quarter of 2025 of $2.57 per gallon.

First Quarter 2025 Key Highlights

• Delivered strong operational performance with a completion factor of 98.6%.
• First quarter year-over-year unit revenue increased by 1.3%, within our initial guidance range.
• Premium, international and loyalty segments, all core to JetForward strategy, continue to provide strength and support revenue resilience:
  • Premium RASM outperformed core RASM by high single digits.
  • Transatlantic RASM grew 28% year-over-year on 25% fewer ASMs, evidence of continuing market maturation and successful efforts to better seasonalize flying.
  • Loyalty revenue up 9% year-over-year, with co-brand spend up 7%.
• First quarter year-over-year ex-fuel unit costs increased by 8.3%, beating the midpoint of our guidance range, with cost savings from operational reliability improvements offsetting pressure from close-in capacity pulls.
• Ended the quarter with $3.8 billion in liquidity, excluding our undrawn $600 million revolving credit facility, representing 41% of our trailing twelve month revenue.
• Grew JetBlue Travel Products extensive product offerings, introducing stand-alone cruise bookings and trip weather protection.
• Unveiled plans for a refreshed Terminal 5 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport including 40+ new concessions and redesigned communal spaces, a commitment to the city and region as New York's Hometown Airline^®.
• JetBlue, along with its fuel partners, marked the first-ever regular supply of sustainable aviation fuel for commercial air travel in the region at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Outlook

"In the first quarter we saw booking strength from January deteriorate into February and worsen into March," said Marty St. George, JetBlue's president. "We expect softened demand for off-peak travel to continue into the second quarter, where the booking curve is more exposed to macro uncertainty and deteriorating consumer confidence. That said, we are committed to our JetForward plan and are encouraged by the resiliency of premium, international, and loyalty revenues - core components of our long-term strategy."

Earnings Call Details

JetBlue will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly earnings today, April 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will also be available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com. The webcast replay and presentation materials will be archived on the company's website for at least 30 days.

For further details, see the first quarter 2025 Earnings Presentation available via the internet at http://investor.jetblue.com.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline^®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue, known for its low fares and great service, carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

Notes

Forward-Looking Information

This Earnings Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "expects," "plans" "intends," "anticipates," "indicates," "remains," "believes," "estimates," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "goals," "targets" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed, or assured. Forward-looking statements contained in this Earnings Release include, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook and future results of operations and financial position, including our expected return to profitability, any expected headwinds, our product offerings and loyalty initiatives, and our business strategy and plans and objectives for future operations, including our JetForward initiatives. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; the risk associated with the execution of our strategic operating plans in the near- term and long-term; risks related to the long-term nature of our fleet order book; volatility in fuel prices and availability of fuel; increased maintenance costs associated with fleet age; costs associated with salaries, wages and benefits; risks associated with a potential material reduction in the rate of interchange reimbursement fees; risks associated with doing business internationally; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; risks associated with extended interruptions or disruptions in service at our focus cities; risks associated with airport expenses; risks associated with seasonality and weather; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for our aircraft, engines, and our Fly-Fi^® product; risks related to new or increased tariffs imposed on commercial aircraft and related parts imported from outside the United States; the outcome of legal proceedings with respect to the NEA and our wind-down of the NEA; risks associated with stockholder activism; risks associated with cybersecurity and privacy, including information security breaches; heightened regulatory requirements concerning data security compliance; risks associated with reliance on, and potential failure of, automated systems to operate our business; our inability to attract and retain qualified crewmembers; our being subject to potential unionization, work stoppages, slowdowns or increased labor costs; reputational and business risk from an accident or incident involving our aircraft; risks associated with damage to our reputation and the JetBlue brand name; our significant amount of fixed obligations and the ability to service such obligations; possible failure to comply with financial and other debt covenants included in the agreements governing our debt; financial risks associated with credit card processors; risks associated with seeking short-term additional financing liquidity; failure to realize the full value of intangible or long-lived assets, causing us to record impairments; risks associated with our development and use of AI-powered solutions; risks associated with disease outbreaks or environmental disasters affecting travel behavior; compliance with environmental laws and regulations, which may cause us to incur substantial costs; the impacts of federal budget constraints or federally imposed furloughs; impact of global climate change and legal, regulatory or market response to such change; increasing scrutiny of, and evolving expectations regarding, environmental and social matters; changes in government regulations in our industry; acts of war or terrorism; and changes in global economic conditions or an economic downturn leading to a continuing or accelerated decrease in demand for air travel. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections, beliefs, and assumptions upon which we base our expectations may change prior to the end of each quarter or year.

Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. You should understand that many important factors, in addition to those discussed or incorporated by reference in this Earnings Release, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward- looking statements. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in JetBlue's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including but not limited to in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as may be updated by our other SEC filings. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this Earnings Release might not occur. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Earnings Release. Other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Note A - Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with GAAP; however, we present certain non-GAAP financial measures in this Earnings Release. Non-GAAP financial measures are financial measures that are derived from the condensed consolidated financial statements, but that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they provide useful supplemental information that enables a meaningful comparison of our results to others in the airline industry and our prior year results. Investors should consider these non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, our financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, our non-GAAP information may be different from the non-GAAP information provided by other companies. The information below provides an explanation of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this Earnings Release and shows a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures used in this Earnings Release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

With respect to JetBlue's CASM Ex-Fuel ⁽¹⁾ guidance, JetBlue is not able to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking measures where the quantification of certain excluded items reflected in the measure cannot be calculated or predicted at this time without unreasonable efforts. In these cases, the reconciling information that is unavailable includes a forward-looking range of financial performance measures beyond our control, such as interest rates and fuel costs, which are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could have a potentially unpredictable and potentially significant impact on our future GAAP financial results.

⁽¹⁾ CASM Ex-Fuel is a non-GAAP measure that excludes fuel, other non-airline operating expenses, and special items.

Operating expense per available seat mile, excluding fuel, other non-airline operating expenses, and special items ("CASM ex-fuel")

CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry. Our CASM for the relevant periods are summarized in the table below. We exclude aircraft fuel, operating expenses related to other non-airline businesses, such as JetBlue Technology Ventures and JetBlue Travel Products, and special items from total operating expenses to determine Operating Expenses ex-fuel, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, and we exclude the same items from CASM to determine CASM ex-fuel, which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe the impact of these special items distorts our overall trends and that our metrics are more comparable with the presentation of our results excluding such impact.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were no special items.

For the three months ended March 31 2024, special items included Spirit-related costs, voluntary opt-out costs, and Embraer E190 fleet transition costs.

We believe Operating Expenses ex-fuel and CASM ex-fuel are useful for investors because they provide investors the ability to measure our financial performance excluding items that are beyond our control, such as fuel costs, which are subject to many economic and political factors, as well as items that are not related to the generation of an available seat mile, such as operating expense related to certain non-airline businesses and special items. We believe these non-GAAP measures are more indicative of our ability to manage airline costs and are more comparable to measures reported by other major airlines.

The table below provides a reconciliation of our total operating expenses ("GAAP measure") to Operating Expenses ex-fuel, and our CASM to CASM ex-fuel for the periods presented.

Operating Expense, Operating Loss, Operating Margin, Pre-tax Loss, Pre-tax Margin, Net Loss and Loss per Share, excluding Special Items, and Gain (Loss) on Investments

Our GAAP results in the applicable periods were impacted by credits and charges that were deemed special items.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were no special items.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 special items included Spirit-related costs, voluntary opt-out costs, and Embraer E190 fleet transition costs.

Certain net gains and losses on our investments were also excluded from our March 31, 2025 and 2024 non-GAAP results.

We believe the impact of these items distort our overall trends and that our metrics are more comparable with the presentation of our results excluding the impact of these items. The table below provides a reconciliation of our GAAP reported amounts to the non-GAAP amounts excluding the impact of these items for the periods presented.

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JetBlue Investor Relations

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