Budget airline JetBlue to begin nonstop service to Costa Rica in November

JetBlue Airways announced Wednesday that the company will be adding four weekly nonstop flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, in the northwest province of Guanacaste, starting Nov. 17.

The start date coincides with the opening of a new terminal at Liberia’s airport. JetBlue already has routes to San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport. The flights will operate Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. Trips from the United States leave at 9:40 a.m. and arrive in Costa Rica at 2:05 p.m local time. The planes leave Liberia at 3 p.m. and land in New York at 9 p.m.

“We’re delighted to be adding Liberia to our growing list of destinations and giving our customers access to the breathtaking Guanacaste beaches and natural parks,” said Chad Meyerson, director of global sales for JetBlue, in a press release. “Costa Rica and its people have much to offer and have been a great partner since we started flying to San Jose more than two years ago.”

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, along with Presidential Minister Carlos Benavides and Minister of Tourism Allan Flores, joined JetBlue officials in making Wednesday’s announcement at the presidential palace.

From now until July 15, those interested can go to www.jetblue.com/new to book flights with fares starting at $139 each way for travel between Nov. 17 to Feb. 14, 2012.