Since its founding in 2000, JetBlue has become the most successful airline start-up in history. As the airline industry falters, JetBlue is one of two airlines (the other being Southwest) to post a profit in this hard-up industry in recent years. The man responsible for JetBlue’s success is its founder and chairman, David Neeleman. Neeleman is an industry veteran, with JetBlue being the third discount airline he has successfully launched. This book will trace Neeleman’s career, from his teenage ventures and beginnings in the travel industry, to his short stint at Southwest Airlines and the ultimate launch of JetBlue. In a series of exclusive interviews with Neeleman, his friends, associates, and high-ranking officials in both business and aviation, this book tells Neeleman’s story and explores the rules of success he both lives and builds his companies by.
Book Details:
- Author: James Wynbrandt
- ISBN: 9780470353639
- Year Published: 2004
- Pages: 304
- BISAC: BUS000000, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS/General
About the Book and Topic:
Since its founding in 2000, JetBlue has become the most successful airline start-up in history. As the airline industry falters, JetBlue is one of two airlines (the other being Southwest) to post a profit in this hard-up industry in recent years. The man responsible for JetBlue’s success is its founder and chairman, David Neeleman. Neeleman is an industry veteran, with JetBlue being the third discount airline he has successfully launched. This book will trace Neeleman’s career, from his teenage ventures and beginnings in the travel industry, to his short stint at Southwest Airlines and the ultimate launch of JetBlue. In a series of exclusive interviews with Neeleman, his friends, associates, and high-ranking officials in both business and aviation, this book tells Neeleman’s story and explores the rules of success he both lives and builds his companies by.
Other than rival Southwest, JetBlue is the only airline to post a profit in recent years. It raised $180 million in its initial public stock offering in April 2002, and now has a total market capitalization of $1.7 billion. More than Delta, UAL (parent of United Airlines), and AMR (parent of American Airlines) combined.
FASCINATING CEO AND COMPANY: This book will offer a detailed look at the genius–CEO David Neeleman–who started JetBlue less than five years ago when the airline industry was slumping. However, JetBlue earned $38.5 million in profits in 2001 when the airline industry was losing nearly $8 billion. The IPO on April 12, 2002 also set records–with a 67% gain on the first day of trading, making it the best performing stock debut on Wall St. in more than a year. Neeleman got his start at Southwest, another successful discount airline, but he has mastered the use of technology, customer service, targeted regions, and clever marketing to attract a loyal customer base in today’s competitive marketplace. KEY FACTS ABOUT JETBLUE: JetBlue serves high-volume corridors, avoiding hub airports. Key markets–NY To South Florida, Seattle and Long Beach. The airline is based at NY’s JFK Airport and flies to cities in Fl, CA, NY, Denver, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, San Juan, Atlanta and Seattle. INNOVATIONS: All airfares are for one-way flights with no Saturday night stay required. The airline never uses travel agents, it has its own reservation agents who work from their home. The cockpits are also paperless with all pilots using laptops. EXPERIENCED AUTHOR: Author brings years of reporting and writing on the airline industry and talked to company insiders and industry experts to offer an interesting and thorough analysis of what makes JetBlue unique and successful.
About the Author
James Wynbrandt is a New York based veteran award-winning aviation and business reporter. He is a regular contributor to numerous high-profile aviation publications, including Smithsonian Air and Space, Plane & Pilot, General Aviation News, Southern Aviator and Pilot Journal. In addition, he is a licensed pilot. Wynbrandt has been following JetBlue since the company’s founding. His articles on business and aviation have also appeared in The New York Times, Management Review, Computer and Electronics Marketing, Flying and Aspen Magazine, among others.