As the summer travel season winds down and cooler months approach, U.S. airlines are making major moves—some bold, some cautious—in response to shifting passenger demand and evolving travel trends. While some carriers are expanding into new markets and adding perks, others are scaling back, particularly on routes that haven’t lived up to expectations. The result? A dynamic and at times surprising landscape for American travelers, with both new opportunities and fresh hurdles on the horizon.
JetBlue, known for its customer-friendly approach, is doubling down on Las Vegas, even as other airlines are pulling back. According to reporting by TheStreet and travel industry sources, demand for Las Vegas flights from Canada has plummeted: Flair Airlines saw passenger demand drop a staggering 62%, while Air Canada reduced its Vegas flights by 33% in June 2025. WestJet has made similar adjustments, and Harry Reid International Airport reported a 31% decrease in Canadian traffic for the month. Yet, JetBlue is bucking the trend, betting that American travelers will fill the gap—and they’re sweetening the deal.
This fall marks a milestone for JetBlue as it introduces its premium Mint service on a new route between Orlando and Las Vegas. Starting October 30, 2025, travelers from central Florida will enjoy lie-flat seats, curated dining, and premium amenities on twice-daily flights to Sin City—a first for the Orlando market. Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships, captured the excitement in a statement: “Orlando has always been an important city to JetBlue, and we’re excited to debut Mint service in this market with flights to Las Vegas. As we celebrate 25 years in Orlando, this marks an exciting new chapter for us and our Central Florida customers, who can now enjoy lie-flat seats, curated restaurant-style dining and premium benefits on a new leisure route, just in time for the winter travel season.”
The schedule is designed for flexibility: Orlando departures are set for 7:55 am and 8:30 pm, while Las Vegas flights leave at 11:25 am and 10:10 pm. The service runs through March 28, 2026, with at least one winter flight slated to continue year-round. JetBlue is clearly aiming to capture both leisure and business travelers seeking comfort and convenience during the busy winter months.
But JetBlue isn’t stopping there. The airline is also expanding Mint service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Las Vegas, with flights starting January 5, 2026. This new twice-daily route will operate until June 10, 2026, giving New York metro area travelers a premium option for heading west. One-way fares begin at $499 for Mint and $109 for standard seating, making the service accessible to a range of budgets. In a press release, JetBlue highlighted the appeal: “With these added Mint flights, even more customers in the New York metro area will have access to the comfort, style, and signature service that have helped redefine premium domestic travel since Mint’s debut.”
JetBlue’s expansion isn’t limited to Las Vegas or premium routes. The airline is also broadening its footprint in Florida, announcing first-ever service to Vero Beach and the return of Daytona Beach flights from both Boston Logan International Airport and New York’s JFK. These additions are set to begin in time for the holiday travel rush, offering more options for sun-seekers and snowbirds alike.
Internationally, JetBlue is ramping up service from Boston to a host of Latin American and Caribbean destinations. New flights to Nassau, St. Thomas, Liberia, and St. Maarten are scheduled to launch on December 18, 2025, with Grand Cayman service beginning December 20, 2025, and Barbados flights debuting January 10, 2026. The expansion is a clear signal that JetBlue sees opportunities where others may be pulling back, especially as American travelers show renewed interest in both domestic and international escapes.
Indeed, travel demand is rebounding after the pandemic slump. The American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report found that 74% of global respondents plan to take between one and three domestic trips this year, and 59% expect to travel internationally at least once. But not all airlines are riding the same wave of success—or taking the same approach to route planning.
Delta Air Lines, for example, is taking a more measured stance. While the airline recently posted record revenue and a hefty $1.8 billion pretax operating profit for the second quarter of 2025, it’s also been quick to trim unprofitable flights. Delta’s latest move: canceling several winter 2025 seasonal flights to Tulum, Mexico, a hotspot that has seen a flurry of interest since a new airport opened there. The canceled routes include Saturday service from Minneapolis-St. Paul and Detroit, leaving Atlanta as the only Delta gateway offering nonstop flights to Tulum this winter.
Delta isn’t alone in scaling back. American Airlines has cut its Charlotte flights to Tulum, now serving the destination only from Dallas and Miami. JetBlue is reducing the frequency of its nonstop JFK-Tulum flights, and United Airlines has eliminated its Chicago O’Hare route, maintaining service only from Houston and Newark. Air Canada has slashed its capacity to Tulum by 29%. All told, U.S. airlines will reduce flights to Tulum by about 27% for the 2025-2026 winter season, making it noticeably harder for travelers to find nonstop options.
Why the sudden retreat from a destination that was, until recently, a darling of the travel world? According to Thrifty Traveler and other industry observers, several factors are at play. Tulum’s meteoric rise in popularity may have led to traveler fatigue, as crowds grew and the experience became less exclusive. There’s also the issue of convenience: the new airport, while modern, is a 37-minute drive from downtown Tulum and about 50 minutes from the main hotel zone. For many, that extra travel time is a dealbreaker, especially when other Caribbean and Mexican resorts are easier to reach.
The upshot is a tale of two strategies. JetBlue is leaning into expansion, betting on premium service and new routes to entice travelers, even as some markets soften. Delta, meanwhile, is laser-focused on profitability, cutting back quickly when demand falters. Both approaches reflect a rapidly changing industry, one where flexibility and a keen eye on consumer preferences are more important than ever.
For travelers, these shifts mean more choices in some places and fewer in others. Those looking to visit Las Vegas or escape to a new Florida beach town will find more options and better amenities, thanks to JetBlue’s investments. But anyone hoping for a quick winter getaway to Tulum may need to adjust plans—or brace for longer layovers and higher prices as competition thins out.
As the skies continue to shift, one thing is certain: airlines will keep adapting, and passengers will need to stay nimble to make the most of the new travel landscape.
