JetBlue Airways will cease operations at Miami International Airport (MIA) starting September 3, with no current plans to resume service in the near future, though the airline has not ruled out future reassessment depending on market demand and network strategy., cutting its final remaining route between Boston and Miami and marking a quiet end to what was once a bold South Florida expansion.
The airline, headquartered in Long Island City, Queens, New York City, cited poor financial performance and the need to free up aircraft for higher performing routes.
Travelers booked on canceled flights will have the option to rebook via Fort Lauderdale or receive a full refund, according to the airline. Miami-Dade Aviation Department was formally notified of the move on June 20, officials confirmed.
JetBlue had entered MIA in 2021 during the pandemic, operating up to 14 daily flights at its peak, including routes to JFK, Newark, Los Angeles, and Hartford. But as demand waned and a federal judge blocked JetBlue’s proposed merger with Spirit Airlines in 2024, the airline scaled back.
As of late June 2025, JetBlue’s footprint at MIA has shrunk to just one or two daily flights between Boston and Miami.
While JetBlue is retreating from Miami, it is reinforcing service at Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International (FLL) and Palm Beach International (PBI). The airline remains the second largest carrier at FLL, having served approximately 6.8 million passengers in 2024. Though 2025 passenger counts are down slightly, 2.2 million through April. It still accounts for 19% of total traffic at the Broward airport.
New and expanded routes have been announced in recent months, including: A twice daily, year round LaGuardia (LGA) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) service (launched in April), and service from Manchester – Boston (MHT) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
JetBlue is also leaning on a new partnership with Brightline, allowing customers to book combined train and flight trips on the website, connecting Florida’s east coast rail system with its airline network.
Startup Community Impact: Disruption or Opportunity?
JetBlue’s withdrawal from MIA is more than an airline scheduling change, it’s a logistical blow to South Florida’s increasingly connected tech sector.
Founders and investors based in or traveling to Miami now face longer commutes and tighter flight options to major venture hubs like Boston and New York. While Fort Lauderdale is just over 25 miles north of downtown Miami, traffic and transport add friction, particularly for short business trips, demos, or pitch meetings.
Event organizers may also feel the squeeze. Conferences and pitch competitions drawing national attendees could see lower turnout or face rising costs as planners work around reduced airlift.
Meanwhile, Brightline offers a partial backstop but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Booking air – rail packages may help founders in West Palm, Boca Raton, or Aventura, but still adds layers to itineraries for inbound travelers targeting Miami’s tech corridor.
Adding to the complexity, a week ago Wisk Aero, the Boeing backed advanced air mobility startup, announced Miami as one of its official launch cities for self-flying electric air taxis.