Last week, JetBlue announced it would add flights into Washington Dulles to cater to inauguration tourists headed to Barry's party on January 20. Now Virgin America and AirTran are doing the same.

Virgin will add three round trips from both SFO and LAX to Dulles between January 16 and 23, which will expand capacity for the week by 23 percent. AirTran is adding flights between Atlanta and both BWI and IAD and adding additional service between Milwaukee and BWI.

Whichever carrier you end up choosing, it'd probably be wise to book soon. Flying from JFK to IAD on January 19 and back January 21 will run you $389 all-in on JetBlue. Flying non-stop round-trip from OAK to IAD on those dates is $919 including taxes.

On AirTran, flying non-stop from ATL on January 19 and back from BWI on January 21 will cost you at least $559. Virgin's round-trip flights between LAX and IAD those same days start at $719. Despite the prices--and extra capacity--seats are still selling out.

Related Stories:
· How to Get to Inauguration 2009 [Jaunted]
· How Do I Get Inauguration Tickets? [Jaunted]
· Senator Bob Casey Says "Keep Pennsylvania In Mind" [Jaunted]

[Photo: Drewski2112]]]> pbb 2008-11-19T11:51:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/7/10926/9777

Just like the politician who put it to use, Sarah Palin's campaign Embraer 190 will quietly slink back to its ordinary routine now that the election is over. The jet, which was specially tricked out for the GOP, made its final trip of the season on November 5, ferrying the Palin clan back to Alaska after they were on hand for John McCain's concession in Arizona.

The 100-seat jet was scheduled to fly back east to JFK on Thursday, and for the time being, it's simply a spare. A JetBlue spokesman tells USA Today:

On November 12 it will go to our Embraer paint shop in Nashville to be fully repainted with JetBlue livery. The jet returns to revenue service mid-November once repainted.

Just because the livery is gone, though, doesn't mean diligent planespotters can't pick out the only jet to ever serve a female Republican veep candidate: Look for tail number N239JB next time you're transiting T5.

Related Stories:
· Palin Plane Returned to JetBlue [USA Today]
· McCain Concedes Close to Home [Jaunted]

[Photo: Stephen Toernblom, JetBlue]]]> pbb 2008-11-07T10:15:08-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/25/121618/79

The silky-smooth opening of JetBlue's new Terminal 5 at JFK airport in New York on Wednesday might have British Airways feeling a wee bit envious. After all, they've got a new T5 as well, at London's Heathrow Airport, but its debut this spring enjoyed none of the fawning coverage garnered by its younger, perkier competitor. While JetBlue's new hub opened with great fanfare and few visible snafus, BA's terminal saw nightmares from the start, with canceled flights, lost luggage, and seething passengers creating a PR disaster for the U.K.'s national carrier.

But everything's fixed now, and BA would like you to give their T5 another chance. As the company's new TV commercial points out (scroll down), everything is running so efficiently at T5 these days that you'll feel like a seal, sea turtle, stingray, or angel fish as you navigate the check-in counters, cocktail lounges, and gate areas. Only when you visit, it won't be filled with water. (Watch the expensive-looking ad to see what I mean.) ]]> Victor Ozols 2008-10-25T12:16:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/22/83036/125

The lights are off at Terminal 6, and JetBlue has switched all its operations at JFK over to the brand-new Terminal 5. The first flight in was a red eye from Burbank that pulled up to gate 11 at 5 am.

CEO Dave Barger, who's been at the terminal with his employees since the wee hours, waved off the first outbound flight, which left for San Juan at 5:59 am. Also on the scene are members of the carrier's PR team, who are live blogging like whoa at t508.wordpress.com.

One thing we haven't heard about yet is the status of the much-anticipated sit-down dining areas--which held up the opening of T5 earlier this month.

Related Stories:
· Inside JetBlue's Terminal 5 Opening Party [Jaunted]
· First Video of JetBlue's T5 Ribbon Cutting [Jaunted]

[Photo: jetblueflickr]]]> pbb 2008-10-22T08:35:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/21/72320/253

With the majority of their flights landing there and a new terminal on the way, it's pretty clear that JetBlue loves itself some JFK.

But the carrier has slowly started adding flights to Orlando International Airport as well, and beginning early next year, MCO will see a new JetBlue flight to Bogotá. If the service on this new offering is similar to the carrier's other international efforts, then we're in for a treat.]]> kjb 2008-10-21T13:00:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/10/112223/38

JetBlue apparently had so much fun selling cut-rate tickets in Washington, DC that the carrier is taking its Happy Jetting Happy Hour to the West Coast.

Here's the scoop, direct from Twitter:

On Tuesday Oct 14 we'll be doing another Happy Jetting Happy Hour. This time at Pacific Place in Seattle from 3:30-6:30. Stop on by!

If he's there, say hi to Kenneth from "30 Rock" for us!

Related Stories:
· Marketing Stunt Travel: JetBlue's New Dulles Sale [Jaunted]
· JetBlue's EBay Auction Winners and Losers [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-10-10T11:30:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/6/91849/3619

JetBlue continues to lead the pack in original ways to convince recession-era passengers to spend their last couple dollars on a flight. First it was eBay ticket auctions; now it's a ticket sale-slash-happy hour for DC-area travelers.

The catch--and it's a big one--is that you have to trek out to Northern Virginia for an afternoon to see what fares are being offered. And of course you have to fly from Dulles. But if you're in desperate need of a last-minute fall Florida trip, it might be worth the time.]]> BS 2008-10-06T10:00:44-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/