Jetblue Airways (NasdaqGS:JBLU) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 27, 2026 10:00 AM ET Speaker3Good morning. My name is Krista, and I would like to welcome everyone to the JetBlue Airways fourth quarter 2025 earnings conference call. As a reminder, today's call is being recorded. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. I would now like to turn the call over to JetBlue's Director of Investor Relations, Kush Patel. Please go ahead, sir.Speaker1Thanks, Krista. Good morning, everyone, and thanks f ...

Financial Performance & Outlook - JetBlue progressed its JetForward transformation, delivering $305 million of incremental EBIT in 2025[6,19] - The company maintained a solid liquidity position of $2.5 billion, representing approximately 27% of trailing twelve-month revenue, and ~$6.5 billion in unencumbered assets[7] - JetBlue expects to drive $310 million of incremental EBIT in 2026, for a total of $615 million from JetForward initiatives[21] - The airline anticipates generating incremental EBIT of $850 million - $950 million for FY 2027 from JetForward[21,38] - JetBlue strategically reduced 2026-2029 capex by approximately $3 billion since 2023, with an upcoming capex profile of less than $1 billion annually[38] - The company's outlook supports breakeven or better adjusted operating margin in 2026[39] Revenue & Cost Management - 4Q25 RASM (Revenue per Available Seat Mile) finished positive, 2.2 percentage points better than guidance midpoint, driven by strong underlying demand and ancillary and loyalty revenue performing above expectations[12] - Disruptions reduced ASMs (Available Seat Miles) by nearly 2 percentage points in 4Q, impacting CASM ex-fuel (Cost per Available Seat Mile, excluding fuel) by over 2 percentage points[12,34] - JetBlue achieved 2025 CASM ex-Fuel in-line with initial guidance at 6.2%[31] - The company expects 2026 CASM ex-fuel growth to be between 1% and 3%[31,39] Strategic Initiatives - Net Promoter Score (NPS) increased eight points year-over-year as investments in operational reliability ramped[9] - JetBlue launched the initial phase of its collaboration with United Airlines, called Blue Sky, featuring reciprocal loyalty accrual and redemption[9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with an operating margin 3 points better than the July guidance ranges, supported by a more reliable operation and effective cost control [24] - Unit revenues for the third quarter were down 2.7% year over year, just above the midpoint of the revised guidance range [19] - Fuel price for the third quarter was $2.49, with fourth quarter expectations between $2.33 and $2.48 [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Premium products continued to outperform core offerings, with premium rising growth up six points relative to core [20] - The TrueBlue loyalty program saw a 12% revenue increase, indicating improved customer satisfaction and network recalibration [20] - The company plans to launch 17 new routes and increase frequency on 12 high-demand markets, representing a 35% year-over-year increase for the IATA winter season [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand environment showed signs of recovery, characterized by strong closing bookings and healthy demand for peak travel [19] - The company is seeing robust demand for premium products, with expectations for continued strength in peak periods [21] - The impact of Hurricane Melissa on operations in Jamaica is still being assessed, with Jamaica representing about 2.6% of the company's capacity in the fourth quarter [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its presence in Fort Lauderdale, aiming to strengthen its position in this key market [10] - Jet Forward plan is on track to generate a cumulative $290 million of incremental EBIT this year, with a focus on operational reliability and customer satisfaction [12][27] - The company is implementing Blue Sky collaboration with United Airlines, expected to enhance customer loyalty and generate significant earnings momentum [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the fourth quarter, citing strong demand for peak period travel and resilience in the premium leisure segment [11] - The company is confident in its ability to restore profitability and is focused on executing its Jet Forward initiatives [12][28] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by external factors but emphasized the positive trajectory of customer satisfaction and operational improvements [6][12] Other Important Information - The company retired its remaining Embraer E190 aircraft, completing the transition to an all-Airbus fleet [9] - The first airport lounge at JFK is set to open by the end of this year, with a Boston lounge planned for 2026 [18] - The company is on track to launch domestic first class in 2026, with 25% of the retrofit expected to be complete by the end of that year [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of competitor's Chapter 11 filing on Fort Lauderdale operations - Management noted that the competitor's pull-downs in Fort Lauderdale have created opportunities for JetBlue to increase flights and improve connections [31][33] Question: Government shutdown's impact on revenue - Management indicated that the government shutdown has not had a material impact on operations or demand [45] Question: Incremental contribution from Jet Forward in 2026 - Management stated that Jet Forward is expected to contribute significantly to earnings, with a focus on premium initiatives and operational improvements [40][41] Question: Liquidity and financing needs over the next 12 to 18 months - Management confirmed a modest capital raise is anticipated to support new aircraft deliveries and a convertible debt maturity [42] Question: Reliability and time on wing for A220 fleet - Management acknowledged reliability challenges with the A220 but noted improvements are expected as aircraft return from AOG [77]

Financial Performance & Outlook - 3Q25 performance met or exceeded guidance midpoints[7] - CASM ex-fuel up 3.7% year-over-year[9] - Adjusted operating margin three points better than implied by July guidance ranges[9] - The company expects capital expenditures to trend at or below $1 billion annually beginning in 2026[35] - Interest expense is estimated at approximately $590 million for the full year 2025, reduced by about $10 million[36] Revenue & Demand - 3Q2025 ASMs increased by 0.9% compared to 3Q2024, while guidance was between 0.0% and 1.0%[19] - 3Q unit revenues exceeded midpoint of revised guidance[22] - TrueBlue revenue was up 12% year-over-year[25] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to launch 17 new routes and increase frequency on 12 high-demand markets from Fort Lauderdale in 2025[12] - Implementation of Blue Sky with United Airlines is on track, with reciprocal loyalty point accrual & redemption launched[9] - A220s represent approximately 25% unit cost improvement versus E190s[33]

Financial Performance & Targets - JetBlue successfully delivered $180 million of incremental EBIT benefit from JetForward through the first half of 2025 and is on track to achieve $290 million by year-end[4] - The company is targeting $850-950 million in incremental EBIT by 2027 through JetForward initiatives[5] - JetBlue realized $25 million in savings in the first half of 2025 from cost transformation initiatives[5] - Announcement of Blue Sky and Paisly upsized JetForward, adding $50 million incremental EBIT to initial target range[5] Network & Product Strategy - JetBlue has redeployed over 20% of its network since the beginning of 2024, reinvesting in Northeast, Florida, and Puerto Rico franchises and redeploying to high-performing leisure & VFR markets[5] - JetBlue anticipates offering its largest ever schedule with 113 peak departures to 49 destinations this winter from Fort Lauderdale, up 35% year-over-year[7] Operational Improvements - JetBlue initiated a multi-year investment to improve on-time performance and was recognized by the WSJ as the most improved in their '24 rankings[5] - Net Promoter Score was up double digits year-over-year in the first half of 2025[5] Capital Expenditure & Financing - JetBlue deferred approximately $3 billion in capital expenditures into the 2030s and executed over $3 billion in financing[5]

Financial Performance & Outlook - JetBlue delivered a positive operating margin in 2Q25, meeting or exceeding guidance ranges[6] - JetForward program is increasing its target by $50 million, aiming for $850-950 million in EBIT by 2027[9, 11] - Capital expenditures are expected to trend below $1 billion annually from 2026 through the end of the decade[24] Revenue & Demand - Year-over-year RASM decreased by 1.5% in 2Q25, but exceeded the guidance range[8, 15] - Revenue generated within 14 days of travel increased by 7% year-over-year[20] - 3Q25 RASM is guided to be between -6.0% and -2.0% year-over-year[16] Cost Management & Fleet - CASM ex-Fuel increased by 6.0% year-over-year in 2Q25, outperforming the better end of the guidance range[8] - The company expects AOGs (Aircraft On Ground) to average below 10 for 2025, compared to mid-to-high teens previously[26] - JetBlue is pausing four of 10 planned A320 restyles and selling two XLRs to avoid an orphan fleet[25] Strategic Initiatives - Blue Sky collaboration with United Airlines is expected to add $50 million in incremental EBIT to JetForward[8, 13] - The company realized a total of $90 million incremental EBIT in 1H25 on top of the $90 million EBIT captured in 2024[11]