JetBlue Airways announced Joanna Geraghty as the new chief executive officer of the company, effective February 12, 2024. Geraghty is the first woman to lead a major U.S. carrier, who currently serves as the president and chief operating officer of the company from 2018.
The current CEO, Robin Hayes is stepping down next month for health reasons and will serve on the company’s Board of Directors until Geraghty’s official joining.
Hayes stated: “It’s bittersweet to retire from this airline I love, but I will always feel a part of the JetBlue team and be rooting for its continued success. For nearly 35 years – both at British Airways and here at JetBlue – I’ve loved working in this industry. However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll, and on the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being. I am deeply grateful for these many exciting years and I feel very lucky to have worked at an airline with a brand, culture, and team that are simply unlike any other in the world.”
Geraghty has nearly 2 decades of career experience at JetBlue and has contributed to significant roles and responsibilities within the company. She is responsible for the airline’s operations and commercial performance including network, brand and marketing, and revenue management. Geraghty also has contributed to major strategic plans and ideas serving JetBlue.
Geraghty stated, “I am honored and excited to serve as the next CEO of JetBlue. With a beloved brand, an industry-leading customer experience, a unique culture, and the industry’s best crewmembers, JetBlue has long been a disruptor. I’m excited to continue working with JetBlue’s 25,000 crewmembers who are as energized as I am about challenging the status quo and bringing humanity to an industry long dominated by the legacy carriers. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last 20-plus years, and I am looking forward to building on this momentum as we execute on our strategic initiatives, return to profitable growth, and generate sustainable value for our shareholders and all our stakeholders.”
Prior to president & COO, she served as JetBlue’s executive vice president, customer experience from 2014- 2018, executive vice president customer experience, chief people officer from 2010-2014, after serving as the Vice president, associate general counsel and director, litigation and regulatory affairs.
She serves on the board of directors of L3Harris Technologies and is chairperson of the board of Concern Worldwide. Before JetBlue, she was a partner at the law firm Holland & Knight.
Geraghty holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross and master’s in international relations from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, She received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.