MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION 27-01 Queens Plaza North Long Island City, New York 11101 April 3, 2020
To our Stockholders: It is our pleasure to invite you to attend our 2020 annual meeting We are again providing access to our proxy materials online of stockholders of JetBlue Airways Corporation, on Thursday, under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the "SEC") May 14, 2020 at 9 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. This year’s annual “notice and access” rules. As a result, we are mailing to many of meeting will be conducted virtually, via live audio webcast. our stockholders a notice instead of a paper copy of this proxy You will be able to attend the annual meeting of stockholders statement and our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The notice online and submit questions during the meeting by visiting contains instructions on how to access documents online. The www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/jblu2020. You will be able notice also contains instructions on how stockholders can receive to vote your shares electronically during the meeting by logging a paper copy of our materials, including this proxy statement, our in using the 16-digit control number included in your Notice of 2019 Annual Report, and a form of proxy card or voting instruction Internet Availability of the proxy materials, on your proxy card or on card. If you received the Notice of Internet Availability by mail and the voting instructions form accompanying these proxy materials. would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in We continue to embrace the latest technology to provide the Notice of Internet Availability. expanded access, improved communication and cost savings for our stockholders and the Company. As we’ve learned, hosting Your vote is important. Regardless of whether you attend the a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and annual meeting, we hope you vote as soon as possible. You may participation from locations around the world. In addition, the online vote by proxy online or by phone, or, if you received paper copies format allows us to communicate more effectively via a pre-meeting of the proxy materials by mail, you may also vote by mail by forum that you can enter by visiting www.proxyvote.com with your following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction control number. We encourage you to log on and ask any questions card. Additionally, if you attend the virtual annual meeting, you you may have, which we will try to answer during the meeting. We may vote your shares at the meeting via the Internet even if you recommend that you log in a few minutes before the meeting on previously voted your proxy. Voting online or by phone, by written May 14 to ensure you are logged in when the meeting starts. Finally, proxy or by voting instruction card ensures your representation at the safety of our crewmembers, customers and stockholders is the annual meeting regardless of whether you attend the virtual important to us. In light of the recommendations issued by the meeting. CDC against public gatherings due to Covid-19, we think a virtual only meeting is advisable. Very truly yours,
The following notice of annual meeting of stockholders outlines the business to be conducted at the virtual annual meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 19, Robin Hayes 2020 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the virtual annual Chief Executive Officer and Director meeting. Further details about how to attend the meeting online On behalf of the Board of Directors of JetBlue Airways Corporation and the business to be conducted at the annual meeting are included in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY 05 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 4 TO APPROVE THE JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT JETBLUE 15 CORPORATION 2020 CREWMEMBER STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 73 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 26 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 5 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 1 TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF ERNST & YOUNG TO ELECT DIRECTORS 29 LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 77 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 2 TO APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 80 THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 36 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 6 TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION INCORPORATION TO PROVIDE STOCKHOLDERS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 37 WITH THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THAT THE COMPANY CALL A SPECIAL MEETING 81 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT 50 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 7 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE 51 TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS 52 INCORPORATION TO PROVIDE STOCKHOLDERS WITH THE RIGHT TO ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT 83 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 54 PROPOSAL 8 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL 85 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED 56 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING 87 CHANGE IN CONTROL 57 OTHER MATTERS 92 PAY RATIO OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION TO MEDIAN EMPLOYEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 92 COMPENSATION 63 APPENDIX A REGULATION G RECONCILIATIONS SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES A-1 OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 64 APPENDIX B B-1 APPENDIX C C-1 MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL 3 TO APPROVE THE JETBLUE AIRWAYS APPENDIX D D-1 CORPORATION 2020 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 66 APPENDIX E E-1
www.jetblue.com
2 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 2020 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) NOTICE via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/jblu2020. of Annual Meeting JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION 27-01 Queens Plaza North of Stockholders Long Island City, New York 11101
This notice of annual meeting, proxy statement and form ADJOURNMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS of proxy for JetBlue Airways Corporation (“JetBlue” or the Any action on the items of business described above may be “Company”) are being distributed and made available on or considered at the annual meeting at the time and on the date about April 3, 2020. specified above or at any time and date to which the annual meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed. TIME AND DATE 9 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday, May 14, 2020 RECORD DATE You are entitled to vote only if you were a JetBlue stockholder PLACE as of the close of business on March 19, 2020. Online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/jblu2020 By order of the Board of Directors ITEMS OF BUSINESS 1. To elect the ten directors named in this proxy statement; 2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Brandon Nelson named executive officers (“say on pay” vote); General Counsel and Corporate Secretary 3. To approve the JetBlue Airways Corporation 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan 4. To approve the JetBlue Airways Corporation 2020 Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan 5. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, as the IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY Company's independent registered public accounting firm OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 2020 6. To approve an amendment to the Company’s certificate The notice of annual meeting, the proxy statement and our of incorporation to provide stockholders with the right to fiscal year 2019 annual report are available on our website request that the Company call a special meeting; at http://investor.jetblue.com. Additionally, in accordance 7. To approve an amendment to the Company’s certificate of with the SEC rules, you may access our proxy materials at incorporation to provide stockholders with the right to act www.proxyvote.com. by written consent; 8. To vote on a stockholder proposal, relating to stockholder approval of bylaw amendments if properly presented at the meeting; and 9. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
VOTE IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING: If your shares are held in the name of a broker, BY INTERNET BY TELEPHONE BY MAIL bank or other holder of record, follow the voting Go to www.proxyvote.com call 1-800-690-6903 (toll free) mark, sign, date and promptly mail instructions you receive from the holder of the enclosed proxy card in the record to vote your shares. postage-paid envelope
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 3 VOTING Your vote is very important. Regardless of whether you plan to virtually meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your attend the annual meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. Notice of Internet Availability of the proxy materials, on your proxy You may vote your shares over the Internet or via a toll-free telephone card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. number. If you received a paper copy of a proxy or voting instruction The annual meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight card by mail, you may submit your proxy or voting instruction card Time. Online check-in will begin at 8:50 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. for the annual meeting by completing, signing, dating and returning Please allow ample time for the online check-in procedures. your proxy or voting instruction card in the pre-addressed envelope provided. Stockholders of record and beneficial owners will be able ANNUAL MEETING WEBSITE AND PRE-MEETING FORUM to vote their shares electronically at the annual meeting. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the section The online format used by JetBlue for the annual meeting also allows entitled Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting and Voting us to communicate more effectively with you. Stockholders can beginning on page 87 of the proxy statement. access our pre-meeting forum, where you can submit questions in advance of the annual meeting, by visiting our annual meeting website at www.proxyvote.com. Stockholders can also access copies of our VIRTUAL MEETING ADMISSION proxy statement and 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K at the annual Stockholders of record as of March 19, 2020, will be able to participate meeting website. in the annual meeting by visiting our annual meeting website www. virtualshareholdermeeting.com/jblu2020. To participate in the annual
4 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSIDER. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU VOTE.
Annual Stockholders Meeting (see pages 87-91)
Date Time Place May 14, 2020 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) Via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/jblu2020
Record Date: March 19, 2020 Stock Symbol: JBLU Mailing Date: This Proxy Statement was first mailed to Exchange: Nasdaq stockholders on or about April 3, 2020 Common Stock Outstanding as of Record Date: 269,707,459 Meeting Agenda: The meeting will cover the proposals listed Registrar & Transfer Agent: Computershare Trust Company, N.A. under voting matters and vote recommendations below, and any other business that may properly come before the meeting. State of Incorporation: Delaware Voting: Stockholders as of the record date are entitled to vote. Corporate Headquarters: 27-01 Queens Plaza North, Long Island Each share of common stock of JetBlue Airways Corporation (the City, NY 11101 “Company”) is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and www.jetblue.com one vote for each of the proposals. Corporate Website: Investor Relations Website: http://investor.jetblue.com
Voting Matters and Vote Recommendations
Board Proposals Recommends Reasons for Recommendation See Page
1. To elect ten directors named Vote FOR The Board and its Governance and Nominating Committee believe the 29 in the proxy statement ten director nominees possess the skills and experience to effectively monitor performance, provide oversight and advise management on the Company’s long term strategy. 2. To approve, on an advisory Vote FOR Our executive compensation programs demonstrate our execution on our 36 basis, the compensation pay for performance philosophy. of our named executive officers (“say on pay” vote) 3. To approve the JetBlue Vote FOR The Board believes having the stockholders approve the JetBlue Airways 66 Airways Corporation 2020 Corporation 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan is in the Company’s best Omnibus Equity Incentive interests. Plan 4. To approve the JetBlue Vote FOR The Board believes having the stockholders approve the JetBlue Airways 73 Airways Corporation Corporation 2020 Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan is in the Company’s 2020 Crewmember Stock best interests. Purchase Plan
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 5 Proxy Statement Summary | Our Director Nominees
Board Proposals Recommends Reasons for Recommendation See Page
5. To ratify the selection of Vote FOR Based on the Audit Committee’s assessment of Ernst & Young’s 77 Ernst & Young LLP as the qualifications and performance,the Board and Audit committee believe Company's Independent EY's retention for fiscal year 2020 is in the best interest of the Company. Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 6. To approve an amendment Vote FOR The Board and its Governance and Nominating Committee believe that 81 to the Company’s certificate having stockholders vote on an amendment to the amended and restated of incorporation to provide certificate of incorporation toprovi de stockholders with the right to stockholders with the right request that the Company call a special meeting is in the Company’s best to request that the Company interests. call a special meeting 7. To approve an amendment Vote FOR The Board and its Governance and Nominating Committee believe that 83 to the Company’s certificate having stockholders vote on an amendment to the amended and restated of incorporation to provide certificate of incorporation toprovide stockholders with the right to act stockholders with the right by written consent is in the Company’s best interests. to act by written consent 8. To vote on a Stockholder Vote AGAINST The Company believes that the stockholder proposal is not in the best 85 proposal relating to interests of the Company. stockholder approval of bylaw amendments, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting
VOTE IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
BY INTERNET BY TELEPHONE BY MAIL IN PERSON Vote your shares at Call 1-800-690-6903 Sign, date and return the enclosed Vote online during the meeting www.proxyvote.com (toll free) proxy card or voting instruction form. See P. 87 “Questions and answers Have your Notice of Internet If your shares are held in the name about the Annual Meeting” for details Availability or proxy card in hand for of a broker, bank or other holder of about voting at the meeting. the 16 digit control number needed record, follow the voting instructions to vote. you receive from the holder of record to vote your shares.
Our Director Nominees(1)
Committee Memberships Director Other Public Airline Name Occupation Age since Independent Boards Audit Comp Safety G&N Finance
B. Ben Baldanza 58 2018 Y 1 Owner and investor of Diemacher, LLC, former CEO, Spirit Airlines Peter Boneparth(2) 60 2008 Y 1 Advisor to the Blackstone Group, LLP Virginia Gambale 60 2006 Y 3 Managing Partner, Azimuth Partners LLC Robin Hayes 53 2015 N 0 CEO, JetBlue Airways
6 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT Proxy Statement Summary | Our Director Nominees
Committee Memberships Director Other Public Airline Name Occupation Age since Independent Boards Audit Comp Safety G&N Finance
Ellen Jewett 61 2011 Y 1 Managing Partner, Canoe Point Capital, LLC Robert Leduc 64 nominee Y 0 Former President, Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation Teri McClure 56 2019 Y 0 Former Chief Human Resources Officer, United Parcel Services, Inc. Sarah Robb O’Hagan 47 2018 Y 0 CEO, EXOS, the Human Performance Company Vivek Sharma 45 2019 Y CEO and Founder, InStride Thomas Winkelmann 60 2013 Y 0 Executive Chairman of Zeitfracht Group
Chair Member Financial Expert (1) Reflects committee and committee Chair assignments to be implemented following the 2020 Annual Meeting, as Mr. Joel Peterson and Mr. Frank Sica are not standing for re-election and Mr. Stephan Gemkow resigned earlier this year. (2) Upon Mr. Peterson's departure from the Board in May 2020, Mr. Boneparth will assume the role of independent Board Chair.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 7 Proxy Statement Summary | Executive Compensation Advisory Vote
Executive Compensation Advisory Vote We are executing on our pay for performance philosophy
ANNUAL INCENTIVE MIX LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
67% FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 Controllable Costs Relative Pre-Tax Margin Growth 77% Pre-Tax Margin FY18 Relative ROIC Growth (ROIC) PSU Metrics set in 2018 to cover performance at-risk period 2018-2020 ROIC 33% FY19 Earnings per Share (EPS) PSU Metrics set in 2019, to cover Customer NPS performance period 2019-2021 Salary RSUs Annual Incentive PSUs
TOTAL COMPENSATION MIX (100% TOTAL)
44% 38% 56% 58% 65%
22% 20%
21% 21% 20% 36% 40% 23% 21% 15%
Robin Stephen Joanna Easwaran Brandon Hayes Priest Geraghty Sundaram Nelson
Salary Annual Incentive Bonus Performance Based Equity Awards-RSUs and PSUs
We aim to design our executive compensation program to reward our named executive officers for the Company’s success without incentivizing undue risk.
8 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT Proxy Statement Summary | Business Overview
Business Overview
How Did We Do in 2019?
2019 Financial and Operational Performance On a GAAP basis, our full year results were as follows:
CAPACITY NET INCOME $1.45 BILLION $8.09 BILLION GROWTH $ 569M CASH FROM OPERATIONS OPERATING REVENUE 6.6%
$ $ % 11.43 CENTS 1.91 8.44 CENTS* 2.09 84 OPERATING EXPENSE EARNINGS OPERATING EXPENSE PER COST OF LOAD (2) PER ASM (CASM) PER SHARE ASM EXCLUDING FUEL (CASM EX-FUEL)(1) FUEL FACTOR 6 (1) CASM PRE-TAX ROIC * OPERATING RASM AIRCRAFT EX-FUEL GROWTH* MARGIN MARGIN GROWTH DELIVERIES
0.8% 9.5% 9.5% 9.9% (0.9)%
(1) Excludes special items. (2) Average price per gallon includes related taxes and effective fuel hedging gains and losses. * These are non-GAAP measures. Operating Expenses per Available Seat Mile excluding fuel (CASM ex-Fuel) is a non-GAAP performance measure derived from total operating expenses (GAAP measure) excluding aircraft fuel and related taxes, operating expenses related to our non-airline business and special items. Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is a financial metric expressed as a function of operating income (a GAAP measure) adjusted for special items and a gain on an equity method investment and invested capital. Both of these measures are reconciled in Appendix A to this proxy statement, on pages A-1 and A-3, respectively. For further information regarding our revenue and earnings per diluted share for the referenced periods, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, Item 6. Selected Financial Data (page 30) and Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (starting at page 33, and see page 35). For reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures used in this Proxy Statement, please see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (starting at page 33, and see page 35) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 9 Proxy Statement Summary | Business Overview
2019 Highlights We believe our differentiated product and culture, competitive In February 2019, we began daily round trip service from Fort costs, and high-value geography relative to other airlines Lauderdale to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Guayaquil joined Quito as our contributed to our continued success in 2019. Our 2019 operational second BlueCity in Ecuador, highlighting our success in this South highlights include: American country. In April 2019, we announced plans to launch multiple daily flights Product Enhancements from Boston and JFK to London beginning in 2021. London will be our first BlueCity in Europe. Throughout 2019, we continued to invest in industry-leading products which we believe will continue to differentiate our In June 2019, we announced plans to start winter seasonal offerings from the other airlines. service between JFK and Guadeloupe with three times weekly service which launched in February 2020. The new service ■■ Cabin Restyle - We made significant progress on our cabin grows our already expansive footprint in the Caribbean and Latin restyle program which includes two iterations. Phase 1 of the America, and caters to leisure travelers in the Northeast looking program introduced our popular Airbus A321 interior to our to experience a unique island getaway during the cold winter Airbus A320 aircraft. Phase 2, which began in early 2019, includes months. enhancements to provide our customers with a cabin experience of the future. It features a new seat design with memory foam In September 2019, we announced plans to launch daily nonstop cushion comfort and adjustable headrests, a next generation service between JFK and Georgetown, Guyana beginning in April inflight entertainment system with an expanded collection of 2020. on demand movies, television shows including full seasons and video content, plus new gaming features, and expanded Fly-Fi® In October 2019, we relocated our operations in Houston from coverage over water to support our growing network. William P. Hobby Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport to better serve our customers. ■■ Mobile Application - We updated our mobile application to include an in-app chat functionality. With the added in-app In December 2019, we launched daily nonstop services between functionality, customers will have even more options for JFK and Guayaquil, our first route enabled by the capabilities of connecting with our customer support crewmembers. the Airbus A321 new engine option ("neo") aircraft. This route is the longest in our network, stretching beyond our previous longest ■■ Fare Options 2.0 - Since launching our first fare options platform in 2015, we have gained deep insights into what customers want route by more than 200 nautical miles. when they select a fare. In November 2019, we launched fare We continued to examine our network to ensure we are making options 2.0 to offer the choices that today's customers want, the best use of our aircraft and in 2019 we announced our plans to including a new low fare for price sensitive travelers which discontinue operations in Anchorage, La Romana in the Dominican we call Blue Basic, and an updated option for customers who Republic, and Mexico City. We believe these adjustments will value additional benefits like flexibility and speed, which we promote healthy growth and improve the profitability of our refer to as Blue Extra. Blue Basic is designed to help customers network. save while still offering the full JetBlue experience. Customers choosing the Blue Basic option will enjoy the same great As a result of the decision by the U.S. Government to no longer experience with the most legroom in coach, free brand-name permit air carriers to operate scheduled services to Cuban cities snacks and drinks, free high-speed wi-fi, DIRECTV® and movies except for Havana, we ended our operations in Camagüey, Holguín at every seat, and our award-winning customer service. Blue and Santa Clara in December 2019. Extra offers customers full change flexibility, early boarding, and Even More® Speed at a significant discount over the cost Fleet of purchasing these services as add-ons. During 2019, we took delivery of six Airbus A321neo aircraft and bought out the lease of one of our aircraft. In connection with Network our plans to launch flights to London in 2021, we amended our We continued to gain relevance in our high-value geography by purchase agreement with Airbus in April 2019 to convert 13 Airbus building out our focus cities to establish a position of strength. A321neo deliveries into A321 Long Range ("A321LR") deliveries. The Our network growth in 2019 was primarily aimed at adding more A321LR aircraft offers higher fuel capacity with a range of about connect-the-dot routes in Boston and Fort Lauderdale. In Boston, 4,000 nautical miles. we added more flights on 12 of our most popular routes and In June 2019, we further amended our purchase agreement with adjusted schedules to offer up to 18 and 14 hourly flights per day to Airbus to convert an additional 13 Airbus A321neo deliveries into New York and Washington D.C., respectively. In Fort Lauderdale, the A321 Xtra Long Range ("A321XLR") deliveries. We believe the we launched daily flights to St. Maarten and Phoenix. In addition range of the Airbus A321XLR will allow us to expand our relevance to strengthening our transcon market, the new Fort Lauderdale in Boston and New York by adding more destinations into Europe. - Phoenix flights will not only give Arizona customers a direct link In addition, we also converted 10 of our options for the Airbus to South Florida, but also onward connections to the Caribbean A220-300 aircraft into firm orders. and Latin America.
10 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT Proxy Statement Summary | Governance
We anticipate that we will take delivery of a maximum of eleven ■■ At The Points Guy Awards, JetBlue took top honors in both Best Airbus A321neo aircraft and our first Airbus A220 aircraft in 2020. Domestic Business Class Product and Best Domestic Economy Product for a second year in a row. We were also recognized by Customer Service The Points Guy as the Best Airline for Families. ■■ We are the number one domestic airline in Travel + Leisure's JetBlue and our crewmembers were recognized in 2019 for World's Best Awards 2019. industry leading customer service.
■■ J.D. Power and Associates named JetBlue its Top Low Cost Our crewmembers Airline for Customer Satisfaction for 2019. Within the J.D. Power During 2019, our crewmembers recognized JetBlue as one of study, we led in four of the seven categories: aircraft, inflight America's "Best Large Employers" by Forbes. JetBlue ranked #11 services, flight crew, and reservations. This is our 13th J.D. through a survey that asked individuals how likely they would be to Power and Associates award. recommend their employer to someone else. We were also ranked ■■ Airline Ratings awarded JetBlue 7 out of 7 stars for safety, and #15 in the list of Top 50 Top-Rated Workplaces by Indeed. Indeed 5 out of 5 stars for our product offerings. It also named us the compiled this list by including companies that are members of Best Low Cost Airline in the Americas. the Fortune 500 Index with at least 100 reviews between June ■■ We were recognized in the 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice® 2017 and June 2019. These companies are the most highly rated Awards for the Best Regional Business Class and Best in on overall employee experience. Passenger Comfort in North America.
JetBlue’s Approach to Environmental, Social and Governance Matters (“ESG”)
JetBlue’s mission is to Inspire Humanity. We strongly believe that We believe pursuing our mission generates long-term value. We strong corporate governance, informed by engagement directly focus our efforts where we can have the most positive impact with our stakeholders, creates the foundation that allows us to on our business and the communities we serve, including issues pursue our mission. related to environmental sustainability, youth and education, the community, culture and human capital. As a reflection of the At JetBlue, we strive to conduct our business in ways that are importance of these matters, our Governance and Nominating principled, transparent, and accountable to key stakeholders. We Committee oversees responsibility for ESG initiatives and have safeguarded our values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion reporting. We have more information about our efforts in these and Fun since our first flight. areas on our website.
Governance
Board and Committee Structure and ■■ All Audit Committee members are financially literate, and a majority are audit committee financial experts. Composition ■■ The Compensation Committee uses an independent ■■ Independent Chairman of the Board; Chairman and CEO compensation consultant. positions have been separated since 2008. BOARD INDEPENDENCE ■■ 9 of 10 director nominees are independent, with Robin Hayes, 1 our CEO, as our sole non-independent director nominee. ■■ All members of each of the Audit, Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Governance Committees”) are independent and these committees regularly meet in executive session. ■■ 40% of all director nominees are female. ■■ Independent directors regularly meet in executive session. ■■ We have a robust orientation program for new directors and ongoing training for continuing directors.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 11 Proxy Statement Summary | Environmental/Sustainability Initiatives and Reporting
Advanced Shareholder Rights Strong Stockholder Support on Say on Pay
■■ A robust, ongoing stockholder engagement program Our stockholders supported say on pay at 98.4% at our 2019 ■■ Annual elections of all Directors Annual Meeting. Our Compensation Committee believes the vote indicates support for our program. ■■ A majority vote standard in director elections ■■ A thoughtful approach to board composition and refreshment See “Corporate Governance at JetBlue” at page 10 for more information. ■■ Annual board and committee evaluations ■■ Limitation on the number of public company boards on which Directors may serve ■■ Stockholders’ right to request the Company call a special meeting (to be voted on at this Meeting) ■■ Stockholders’ right to act by written consent (to be voted on at this Meeting) ■■ Proxy access
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Differentiated Dense High Value Experience & Culture rban Geography Service Areas
O TCOME
Produce Returns Inspiring Culture for Create Value for for Owners Crewmembers Customers
Integrity Caring Passion Fun
Safety
Environmental/Sustainability Initiatives and Reporting
We believe it is our responsibility to manage our environmental a subcommittee to assist it in these efforts. The Governance footprint and explore associated risks and opportunities. Our and Nominating Committee evaluated the impact of the CORSIA Board established an ESG subcommittee to oversee this area. regulatory regime and the Company’s efforts on its Sustainability We employ a dedicated Sustainability and ESG crewleader to Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Task Force on Climate- oversee the efforts of our entire airline and keep our management Related Financial Disclosure reporting. The Governance and team and Board aware of climate-related risks and opportunities Nominating Committee expects to be more focused on the costs when developing strategy, performance, and budgets. Our associated with the cost of carbon offsetting compliance. More Sustainability and ESG group leads climate change risk and information on these efforts is available on our website. opportunity assessment efforts and performs risk assessment In January 2020, JetBlue announced plans to become carbon related to possible emissions regulations on an on-going basis. neutral on domestic flights by July 2020 with offsetting up to In 2019, the Governance and Nominating Committee discussed 17 billion pounds of carbon by investing in projects focused on efforts by the Company to use ESG efforts to mitigate macro initiatives like forest conservation. risks and best position JetBlue to be a leader in this area. The Governance and Nominating Committee determined to establish
12 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT Proxy Statement Summary | Corporate Social Responsibility
Diversity and Inclusion
We cultivate and measure the visual and non-visual diversity customer base. This also includes our Board of Directors. New of our workforce and leadership teams, recognizing that both guidelines include limits on tenure and an age-based retirement aspects support enhanced organizational decision-making. threshold. In 2019, we made changes to the Board that bring new Thematically, diversity and inclusion falls under the social focus perspectives and diversity (in age, background, as well as visual of ESG. The work itself is done cross functionally over multiple diversity). We have improved gender diversity on the board. The teams including throughout our People Department and managed Board in May, assuming all nominees are elected/reelected, will by a dedicated ESG crewleader. We have ongoing programs to have four female directors out of ten directors. We have also encourage a diverse talent pipeline specifically for technical roles, increased age diversity with 2 directors in their 40s. The average like pilots. Board tenure is 9 years as of March, 2020. We are taking measured and organic steps toward building a This and other ESG topics will be covered in our 2019 annual SASB leadership pipeline that is reflective of our crewmember and and TCFD report.
Corporate Social Responsibility
General JetBlue For Good/CSR CSR – Youth/Education & JetBlue For Good is JetBlue’s platform for social impact and Community-focused corporate responsibility. Giving back is part of JetBlue’s DNA and is core to its mission of inspiring humanity. Centered JetBlue’s core programs and partnerships directly impact the around volunteerism and service, JetBlue For Good focuses areas where its customers and crewmembers live and work on the areas that are most important to the airline’s customers by enhancing education and providing access to those that and crewmembers - community, youth/education and the are traditionally underserved. Signature programs include the environment. Combining JetBlue’s corporate efforts with its award-winning Soar with Reading initiative which has provided customers’ and crewmembers’ passions, the common theme is more than $3.75 million worth of books to date to kids who need Good – JetBlue For Good. them most; Blue Horizons For Autism which helps introduce air travel in a realistic environment to families and children affected by autism; and Swing For Good which raises funds for education and youth focused non-profits. The below graphic speaks to our CSR initiatives since our inception or since the date as indicated. 31
3,500
1 Million
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 13 Proxy Statement Summary | Political Contributions
Political Contributions
Recognizing the interest of stockholders in establishing greater transparency about corporate political contributions, we disclose any political contributions to support candidates and ballot measures and how certain of our trade association membership dues are used for political activities in our annual SASB and TCFD reporting. As part of our commitment to transparency, we developed the Political Contributions Policy, which discusses how we engage in the political process. The policy is available at on the investor relations page of www.JetBlue.com.
Human Trafficking
The issue of human trafficking is one that hits close to home in our industry. Victims of this crime are often hidden in plain sight, including on aircraft and in airports. We work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the Blue Lightning initiative, an initiative aimed at stopping human trafficking. We educate our crewmembers on the issue and how to report suspicious activities. We established a cross-team working group to assess what additional policies and practices we can use to help combat this problem.
14 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT JETBLUE
JetBlue’s mission is to Inspire Humanity. We strongly believe that strong corporate governance that is informed by engagement directly with our stakeholders creates the foundation that allows us to pursue our mission. Corporate governance at JetBlue is designed to promote the long-term interests of our stockholders, maintain internal checks and balances, strengthen management accountability, and foster responsible decision making and accountability.
Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors Provides Operational and Strategic Oversight The Board oversees management, business affairs and integrity, works with management to determine the Company’s mission and long-term strategy, oversees risk management, performs the annual CEO evaluation, oversees CEO succession planning, and oversees internal control over financial reporting and external audit. In addition, Board committees focus on the following:
Audit Financial reporting; internal and external audit; cybersecurity, including in support of the Board’s role in risk oversight of cybersecurity risks; certain other risks not otherwise assigned; certain legal, regulatory, compliance and business continuity matters Compensation Compensation and benefits; succession planning at the officer level, including with the Governance and Nominating Committee Governance and Board effectiveness, director qualifications, on boarding and continuing education of directors, political Nominating contribution and PAC matters, shareholder engagement, governance framework ESG Subcommittee Environmental and sustainability initiatives, social and governance issues, including diversity and inclusion Airline Safety Monitor promotion of operational safety culture, flight operations safety and overview of aspects of airline safety Finance Oversight of the Company’s financial condition, financing activities, capital plan, budget and related activities
Management Drives Our Strategy and Operations Led by the CEO, the senior leadership team is responsible for Representatives from the Company’s Legal and Government achieving our mission, establishing and delivering on our strategy, Affairs groups address public policy, regulatory, government maintaining and inspiring our culture and crewmembers, inspiring affairs, compliance, legal risk, and other issues. The Company’s and creating innovative and disruptive products, establishing internal audit function provides objective audit, investigative, accountability, and controlling risk. The senior leadership and advisory services aimed at providing assurance to senior team also aligns our structure, operations, people, policies, leadership and the Board that the Company is anticipating, and compliance efforts to our mission and strategy. The senior identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks. Our Tax and Treasury leadership team consists of those leading the operation, the departments report regularly to the Board. Our Infrastructure commercial team, as well as those leading central functions team, along with others, assists the Board in its governance of like Finance, Legal and People (which is how we refer to Human major real estate transactions. Our Board and its committees Resources). Members of the senior leadership team appear before also work closely with representatives from the Company’s the Board regularly, with most attending a Board or committee People department, the Cybersecurity team and the Information session each quarter, and also interact with the directors outside Technology department. Members of the Board have access to all the boardroom. of our crewmembers outside of Board meetings.
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT 15 corporate governance AT JETBLUE | The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors
Board Structure Our Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the the needs of JetBlue and its stockholders. In our independent Company and its stockholders to maintain a separate Independent Chair, our CEO has a counterpart who can be a thought partner. Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Joel Peterson has We believe this corporate structure also permits the Board of served as our independent Chair of the Board since 2008 and will Directors to have a healthy dynamic that enables its members to not be standing for re-election at the upcoming Annual Meeting function to the best of their abilities, individually and as a unit. of Stockholders. The Board has selected Mr. Peter Boneparth to The Board expects to continue to evaluate its leadership structure assume the independent Chair of the Board position after our on an ongoing basis and may make changes as appropriate to Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2020. Our Board believes JetBlue and its future needs. Our Board believes its leadership that our current structure, with an independent Chair, who is well- structure is appropriate because it effectively allocates authority, versed in the needs of a complex business and has strong, well- responsibility, and oversight between management and the defined governance duties, gives our Board a strong independent independent members of our Board. leadership and corporate governance structure that best serves
Independent Chairman of the Board Independent Board
Key responsibilities of the Chair include: ■■ 9 of 10 director nominees are independent – We are committed to ■■ Calling meetings of the Board and executive sessions with maintaining a substantial majority of directors who are independent independent directors of the Company and management. Except for our CEO Robin Hayes, ■■ Setting the agenda for Board meetings in consultation with other all directors are independent. directors, the CEO, and the corporate secretary ■■ Quarterly executive sessions of independent directors – At each ■■ Chairing executive sessions of the independent directors quarterly Board meeting, the independent directors meet in executive ■■ Working with the Chairs of the Compensation Committee and the session without Company management present. Additional executive Governance and Nominating Committee with regard to the annual sessions are held as needed. CEO performance evaluation ■■ Strategy – The Independent directors meet in executive session at ■■ Working with the Governance and Nominating Committee to the annual strategy session. (1) oversee assessments of the Board and its committees and ■■ Independent compensation consultant – The compensation consultant (2) recommend changes to enhance Board, committee and director retained by the Compensation Committee is independent of the effectiveness Company and management. ■■ Engaging with stockholders ■■ Acting as an advisor to Mr. Hayes on strategic aspects of the CEO role with regular consultations on major developments and decisions likely to be of interest to the Board ■■ Performing the other duties specified in the Corporate Governance Guidelines or assigned by the Board ■■ Setting and maintaining Board culture
16 JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION | 2020 PROXY STATEMENT corporate governance AT JETBLUE | The Board of Directors
Board Composition Ensuring the Board is composed of directors who bring looking and strategic Board as is the ability to benefit from the diverse viewpoints and perspectives, exhibit a variety of skills, valuable experience and familiarity that longer-serving directors professional experience and backgrounds, and effectively bring. When recommending to the Board the slate of director represent the long-term interests of stockholders, is a top priority nominees for election at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the of the Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee. Governance and Nominating Committee strives to maintain an The Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee appropriate balance of diversity, skills, and tenure on the Board. believe that different perspectives are critical to a forward- The below tables reflect our Board nominees for election.
AGE DIVERSITY BOARD TENURE GENDER DIVERSITY VISUAL DIVERSITY 30% 20% 40% 20% 50-59 11-15 years Women Person of Color 0% 16+ years 60% 60% 0-5 years Men 80% 20% 50% 20% White 40-49 60-69 6-10 years
BOARD S ILLS MATRI