JetBlue has partnered with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, naming the US carrier as the airline sponsor for the 2024 Fringe Festival.
JetBlue’s inaugurated its first flight connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport to Edinburgh Airport in May on its A321neo with Mint (the carrier’s premium offering) aircraft. The new route makes it even easier for Fringe artists and audiences to come to the Scottish capital for the world-renowned arts and performance festival held throughout August.
Each year, hundreds of American artists flock to the Fringe, with audiences accounting for the festival’s biggest international market. Many Fringe shows have transferred from Edinburgh stages to the bright lights of Broadway.
The Fringe Festival has featured greats such as the late Alan Rickman and Robin Williams in their early careers. More recently Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer were first performed at the festival.
“JetBlue is committed to supporting the communities where we work, live and fly, which is why we wanted to partner with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,” said JetBlue head of marketing and customer support Jayne O’Brien. “Our newest transatlantic route that connects Edinburgh to New York and beyond has already been successful in offering a better experience at a more affordable fare.”
“We are also enormously grateful to JetBlue’s support with our recently launched Keep it Fringe US fund,” said Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society chief executive Shona McCarthy. “We are excited to welcome the team to Edinburgh this August.”
JetBlue is also supporting the Keep it Fringe US fund, with a target of raising $350,000, which will be awarded in grants of $4,500 to help at least 50 US artists bring work to the festival in 2025. Successful recipients will also receive a support package to aid audience and career development, with a specific focus on marketing, screen development and industry networking opportunities.
To kick off the partnership on August 16, JetBlue will welcome Fringe festival goers at Edinburgh Airport to celebrate with snacks, music and photo ops.