JetBlue applies for U.S.-Canada service

American travelers may see more of our northern neighbor if JetBlue‘s application to launch flights between the U.S. and Canada is approved. As Toronto’s Globe and Mail reports, JetBlue is hoping to start private charter flights to Canada as early as next spring, with the intention that regularly scheduled service will follow.

The airline is currently scouting potential routes, but must first receive regulatory approval and find a way around other roadblocks, such as high airport landing fees. “Canada is on our radar, but the key is finding competitive airport fees and the costs have to come down,” says JetBlue spokesman Sebastian White.

I believe many travelers (myself included) would welcome low-cost carrier service to Canada, a country without a lot of affordable options at the moment. Consider this: In early December you can fly round-trip on JetBlue between New York’s JFK and Buffalo, which is located right at the Canadian border, for about $140, including all taxes. On the other hand, if you want to fly from New York to Toronto, which is a little less than two hours from Buffalo by car, the lowest price I could find was $424 on Northwest. Presumably, if JetBlue were to serve Canadian cities from the U.S., its prices would be similar to those on its U.S. routes of similar distance, although you’d have to factor in some additional fees for international travel.