Longtime JetBlue Airways Executive Joanne Geraghty Tapped To Lead The American Low-Cost Airline Into Its Future
by Heather Cassell
JetBlue Airways became the first national airline to appoint a woman to head a major airline in the United States Monday.
The low-cost airline named Joanna Geraghty as its next chief executive officer following a unanimous vote from the company’s board of directors, JetBlue announced the leadership change in a January 8 press release. A nearly 20-year employee at the airline, Joanna has been JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer for nearly six years.
The history-making move made Joanna the only woman to ever lead a major US airline.
The $9.70 billion airline launched in New York in 1999 the carrier has grown to 25,000 crewmembers and flies to 79 destinations across the US and 55 international destinations to Canada, the Caribbean and Central America, Europe, Mexico, South America, and the United Kingdom.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the next CEO of JetBlue,” Joanna said in the release.
JetBlue’s Board Chair Peter Boneparth expressed his confidence in Joanna’s leadership.
“She is fully prepared to step into the role. Joanna is a proven strategic leader and she is clearly the right person to carry JetBlue forward into this next chapter,” he said.
Peter congratulated Joanna for her new role and thanked outgoing CEO Robin Hayes for his “contributions and outstanding leadership,” on behalf of JetBlue’s board.
Joanna, 51, will take the reins of JetBlue from Robin, 57, February 12.
Grounded
Robin, a nearly 35-year airline veteran, is stepping down and retiring from leading the company for unspecified health reasons, reported the New York Times. He notified the board January 7, and Joanne was voted to take his role the same day, the release cited the security filing.
The airline executive spent his career at British Airways before joining JetBlue in 2008. In 2015, he stepped into the top executive suite where he spent the last nine years leading the airline through Covid and its 2022 plans to takeover ultra-low-cost carrier, Spirit Airlines.
JetBlue is currently battling the US Justice Department in an anti-trust case challenging the airline’s proposed $3.8 billion takeover of Spirit. The federal trial concluded last month, reported the Times.
JetBlue is the sixth-largest US airline by revenue, according to the Washington Post. The airline is nipping at the tail wings of Alaska Airlines which ranks #5. Spirit is the seventh-largest carrier and the biggest low-fare airline in the country.
Alaska Airlines grounded all of its Boeing 737 Max 9 jets along with United Airlines following a plug covering a spot left for an emergency door tore off the plane as it flew 16,000 feet (4,800 meters) above Oregon January 5, reported The Associated Press. No one was hurt in the incident however the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation is raising serious questions about airplane safety. Last year there were at least 46 near misses of jets running into each other, reported the Times, and 2024 kicked off with a fatal airplane collision in Japan January 2 prompting increased security measures by the Japanese airline industry, reported ABC News. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spent much of 2023 pressuring airlines to step up safety measures.
Growing JetBlue to compete with American, Delta, United and Southwest was a pursuit of Robin’s for several years, reported the Post. His strategy was to merge with other airlines, first with an unsuccessful attempt with Virgin America in 2016. Alaska won that deal. Last year, he struck a deal with Spirt beating out Frontier Airlines. The deal is now up to the courts.
The Times reported the judge in the trial did not say when he expected to issue a final decision. JetBlue has said it plans to finish integrating Spirit’s operations no later than the first half of 2024.
JetBlue also has subsidiaries, JetBlue Ventures, founded by Bonny Simi in 2016, and JetBlue Travel Products launched in 2018. The Florida-based JTP oversees JetBlue Vacations, which is owned by JetBlue Travel Products, launched in 2018.
JetBlue Ventures is based in San Francisco and focuses on travel and hospitality startups. Bonny stepped down heading the venture capital firm in 2020, but remains involved, according to its website. The venture capital firm is now headed by Amy Daniels Burr, who succeeded Bonny as the company’s president in 2021.
JetBlue Vacations, which launched its flight and cruise packages in 2021, and Paisley, its online travel agency which offers flights, hotels, car rentals, and theme park tickets also launched in 2021.
Peter honored Robin noting he “guided the airline through significant change and innovation, caring for the unique JetBlue culture while also instilling a value creation mindset across the organization and positioning us for sustainable future growth.
It wasn’t missed that Robin extended his tenure continuously “through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid crisis, and then again as we pursued our plan for the transformational Spirit acquisition,” Peter said noting Robin’s commitment and service to JetBlue in the release.
Robin will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors until February 12. At that time, Joanna will assume her seat on the board. Robin will serve as a strategic advisor to JetBlue over the coming months, according to the release.
“It’s bittersweet to retire from this airline I love,” he said in the release. “I’ve loved working in this industry. However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll. It’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being.”
“I will always feel a part of the JetBlue team and be rooting for its continued success,” he continued.
Flying Into The Future
Robin pointed out that Joanna “guided the operation through the most turbulent time in airline history, has overseen the development and execution of new commercial initiatives, and has tirelessly worked to make JetBlue a better place for our crewmembers and customers,” he said in the release. He also noted she has been actively engaged in the company’s integration planning concerning its proposed Spirit transaction.
Additionally, “Joanna and the team have developed a strong plan for JetBlue as the airline works to return to profitability,” he continued.
“The board and I are confident that Joanna is more than ready given her critical role in running JetBlue’s day-to-day business and positioning the airline for success,” he praised her. “I know the airline is well equipped to continue driving progress and I can pass the baton with confidence knowing she is the right leader at the right time for our airline.”
During Joanna’s nearly 20 years at JetBlue, she quickly climbed the company’s corporate ladder serving in various roles of increasing responsibility. In 2018, she was named president and chief operating officer, responsible for the airline’s operations and commercial performance including network, brand and marketing, and revenue management. Prior to her soon-to-be past role, Joanna served as JetBlue’s executive vice president, customer experience, responsible for airports, customer support, and inflight service. She also held the role of executive vice president, chief people officer, as well as vice president, associate general counsel and director, litigation and regulatory affairs. She has also served as a member of the board of the JetBlue Foundation.
Joanna serves on the board of directors of L3Harris Technologies and is chairperson of the board of Concern Worldwide, an international nonprofit organization.
Before joining JetBlue, Joanna was a partner at the law firm Holland & Knight.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last 20-plus years,” Joanna said. “I am looking forward to building on this momentum as we execute on our strategic initiatives, return to profitable growth, and generate sustainable value for our shareholders and all our stakeholders.”
“I’m excited to continue working,” with JetBlue’s team, she added, “who are as energized as I am about challenging the status quo and bringing humanity to an industry long dominated by the legacy carriers.”
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