JetBlue starts daily, non-stop service to JFK, Boston out of Mitchell International

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A new airline is being welcomed to Mitchell International Airport.

Many people came out to catch a flight with the new arrival for the first time out of Mitchell Sunday morning on March 27.

Jet Blue is now offering non-stop daily flights to JFK as well as Boston at Mitchell, something airport officials said is part of a continued growth at the airport.

"For JetBlue as a whole it's an opportunity to introduce not only northeastern customers to the great city of Milwaukee, but those in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin to places like New York, Boston and places beyond," said JetBlue Director of Operational Safety & Safety Management Systems Mike Hildebrandt.

He said they're excited to offer their new Airbus A220, with more leg room, complimentary refreshments, and daily flights, to travelers in Milwaukee.

While JetBlue officials said it's too early to know if adding more routes is a good idea for them, they didn't say it couldn't happen.

Mitchell International Airport Director Brian Dranzik said adding new routes like JFK is something that's especially good to see after some were scaling back due to COVID-19.

"Some of the service that we had from some of the incumbent carriers scaled back a little bit, but it gave the opportunity for new carriers like JetBlue, like Spirit last year to come into this market and just provide more competition, which is a good thing, hopefully that means a little bit better fares for passengers," said Dranzik.

Those cheaper ticket prices are something that travelers like Connor Christianson were excited to take advantage of. He says it doesn't just end at the East coast, however.

"Having non-stop routes getting over to the east coast makes things a lot easier catching a connecting flight. Say you want to go to Europe, say you want to go to Asia, anywhere in the world," said Christianson.

County Executive David Crowley said he's hoping people like Christianson continue to drive growth at the airport.

"When you think about those that are going to be traveling from the Northeast but those who are going to be traveling to the Northeast, it's an opportunity for us to showcase who we are," said Crowley.

He said the airline could bring in an estimated over $40 million a year to the county.