· JetBlue will begin accepting Venmo as a payment method when booking tickets, the first carrier in the U.S. to do so. Venmo payments are not yet being accepted on mobile bookings.
JetBlue is offering passengers a new way to pay as it looks to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive market.
The carrier announced Tuesday it would begin accepting Venmo as a payment method for tickets, which it claims is an airline industry first. JetBlue, which made its reputation on cheap fares, has been facing a rising level of competition as more and more legacy airlines offer competitive prices.
Customers can pay using their Venmo balance or linked bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards. The offer is only good for booking travel. For now, Venmo can not be used to purchase items while onboard flights.
Passengers can use Venmo on JetBlue.com, at present. Mobile bookings do not currently accept the payment platform, but that is expected to change in the coming months.
“We’re continually looking for ways to make it easier to book a JetBlue flight on our website and mobile app,” said Carol Clements, chief digital and technology officer at JetBlue in a statement. “Adding Venmo offers a seamless payment option for customers who enjoy the ease and convenience of the Venmo platform.”
Venmo is owned by PayPal. While most major carriers now accept PayPal as a payment method, they’ve been slow to adopt use of its cousin app.
JetBlue has stumbled in the post-pandemic era, reporting substantial losses in 2022 and 2023. In the first three quarters of 2024, it reported $173 million in losses. It took another hit last year when a federal judge blocked its attempt to merge with Spirit Airlines.