RDU Update - Summer 2006


	SUMMER 2006

Fly Hi-Tech with JetBlue

When low-cost airline JetBlue comes to town on July 20, RDU passengers will learn first-hand about the airline's hi-tech in-flight entertainment options, including their 36-channel DIRECT TV and XM Satellite radio, which features at least 100 channels. The best part is all of these features come free of charge.

Todd Burke, JetBlue's vice president of corporate communications, noted that the DIRECT TV you'll see on the plane is the same service you'd see at your home — live and unfiltered. “We have an antenna on top of the airplane and passengers receive a full range of channels, including network TV,” he said.

Photo of BlueBetty, JetBlue's traveling display

Blue Betty, JetBlue's traveling
display of the hi-tech amenities
travelers will find on their planes,
made several appearances
in the Triangle area recently.

Switching from TV to radio is as easy as hitting the toggle switch. The 6.8-inch video screen then displays the lineup of the artists playing.

RDU passengers checked out JetBlue's hi-tech offerings even before taking their first flight. JetBlue has a special bus called “Blue Betty” that travels the country and showcases what passengers will actually see when they get on the plane. Blue Betty made several appearances in the Triangle area July 5th through the 8th.

Why does JetBlue offer these kinds of services to its passengers? Burke explains that in the early days of the airline, two airplanes offered these services and JetBlue employees noticed that the customers absolutely loved it and had smiles as they left the plane. “We nicknamed those planes the ‘happy airplanes',” Burke said. It became a no-brainer to expand the service through the whole fleet.

Passengers have another video option when making a connection at JFK and are on a flight longer than two hours. They can view the latest movies onboard those flights, offered through FOX Inflight Premium Entertainment.

“Families really love our video, TV, and radio services,” Burke added. “We believe that the features help build loyalty and keeps people coming back to JetBlue.”

JetBlue engines made in Durham
The planes JetBlue will operate from RDU are the EMBRAER 190 (E190) aircraft. JetBlue is the first airline in the world to operate the E190, a new generation mid-sized jet with two GE CF34-10E engines manufactured in Durham (see box for more information about the engines). The E190 is the newest model in Embraer's E-Jet family.

JetBlue's E190s are configured with 100 leather seats in a two-by-two layout. That means all customers have either an aisle or a window seat. Wide aisles, ample headspace and large windows add to the E190's overall comfort.

JetBlue has placed firm orders for 100 E190s and expects to take delivery of approximately 18 of the new aircraft each year between 2006 and 2011.

JetBlue will offer four daily nonstop flights to New York 's John F. Kennedy airport from RDU. The carrier provides service to 43 other cities. To book your travel, visit www.jetblue.com.

GE Engine Specifications
Key CF34-10 design features include: a wide-chord fan for higher thrust and high tolerance to foreign object damage; 3-D aerodynamic design airfoils in the high-pressure compressor, providing highly efficient, stall-free operation, as well as better fuel burn and higher exhaust gas temperature margins; a highly durable single annular, low-emissions combustor that meets or surpasses the most stringent emissions standards; and a single-stage high-pressure turbine for lower operating cost.

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Marketing Communications Department, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
P.O. Box 80001, RDU Airport, NC 27623
www.rdu.com (919) 840-7700 / (919) 840-0175 fax