JetBlue to refund airfares to laid off workers

NEW YORK — JetBlue Airways Corp. said Tuesday it will issue full refunds to eligible customers who lose their jobs after purchasing tickets.

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Customers who book flights between Feb. 1 and June 1 and lose their jobs on or after Feb. 17 may be eligible for the JetBlue Promise Program. JetBlue fares are generally nonrefundable.

Customers must notify JetBlue and request a full refund at least two weeks before the first day of travel. The customer who purchased the flight can request a refund for up to nine customers traveling on one reservation.

The program is part of an effort to spur early bookings as consumers pull back on travel amid a gloomy economy.

In an e-mail to the Associated Press, Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl said he does not think the deal is unusual, noting some car rental companies already offer similar programs.