JetBlue president and COO Joanna Geraghty on Feb. 12, 2024,
will succeed Robin Hayes as CEO, who is retiring, the carrier announced Monday.
Hayes will continue to serve on the company’s board until that time, after
which Geraghty will join. Hayes, who took
the reins as CEO in 2015, will serve as a strategic advisor to JetBlue
“over the coming months.”
“It has been a privilege to lead JetBlue for the past
nine years, and I am proud of all we have accomplished,” Hayes said in a
statement. “With a rigorous succession plan in place, 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. She
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.”
Geraghty has been at JetBlue since 2005 and was named
to her current role in 2018. Previously, she served as EVP of customer
experience, responsible for airports, customer support and inflight service,
according to JetBlue. Prior to joining JetBlue she was a partner at the law
film Holland & Knight. Geraghty
in 2020 was named one of BTN’s 25 Most Influential people in business
travel.
In the meantime, JetBlue is awaiting the ruling in the U.S.
Department of Justice lawsuit to block its intended merger with Spirit
Airlines, which it agreed
to acquire in July 2022 for $3.8 billion. Closing arguments occurred in early
December.
