Blue Skies

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For all its rapid expansion, JetBlue has yet to take on any of the "fortress hubs" dominated by the majors: Atlanta (Delta), Chicago (United and American), Dallas (American) and Detroit (Northwest). And it does not intend to. Neeleman knows that if he invades the hubs, the big carriers will probably try to price-cut him to death or add flights to overwhelm the still small airline.

But as it expands, JetBlue will have to prove that it can indeed cross flight paths with major carriers that have already helped ground newcomers from People Express to Pro Air. If JetBlue's philosophy of improving service, simplifying pricing and treating customers as if they mattered can make it there, the upstart New Yorker should make it anywhere.