Infromation and quotes from Yahoo News:
As a big JetBlue booster, I am shocked and upset about their hideous performance this past week. I see they are attempting damage control. Wonder if they can really turn this around .Jet Blue was the airline that made it possible for me to fly weeks after 9/11. It’s the airline that helped me overcome my fear of flying. Why? Because they did so many things right. Now this. Is this right enough?
On Tuesday, JetBlue Airways rolled out a customer bill of rights Tuesday that promises vouchers to fliers who experience delays. They are obviously hoping to win back passengers after an operational meltdown damaged its brand and stock price.
JetBlue customers will be compensated based on the length of the delays. The vouchers range from $25 to the full amount of the ticket. The delays include airplanes unable to taxi to the gate within 30 minutes and flight departures held up for a minimum of three hours, according to a program copy provided to The Associated Press.
If JetBlue cancels a flight within 12 hours of its departure, customers can ask for a full refund or a voucher. JetBlue said passengers would also receive vouchers if flight delays are the airline’s fault.
David G. Neeleman, JetBlue’s founder and chief
executive, has been working overtime talking to media, investors and customers promising that the airline will recover and being very remorseful.
The service breakdown "was absolutely painful to watch," he is quoted as saying on Yahoo News.
JetBlue’s shares fell more than 6 percent in morning trading Tuesday.
"Most airlines don’t try to operate when there is an ice storm
problem — they’ve learned that it’s better to cancel all flights at the
outset and then try to get back to normal operations as quickly as
possible," David Stempler, president of the Washington-based,
member-supported Air Travelers Association, told The Associated Press and reported on Yahoo News.
"JetBlue tried to do their best — tried to keep the system rolling,"
he said. "Their heart was in the right place, but their head was not."