Distribution Strategies

JetBlue Airways Corp. has started an auction on eBay for more than 300 round-trip flights and six vacation packages

Published: 10 Sep 2008

JetBlue Airways Corp. has started an auction on eBay for more than 300 round-trip flights and six vacation packages

As per the information available, JetBlue said the auction was the largest of its kind for an airline, and if successful, could portend the use of the auction site as another way for the low-fare carrier to sell seats on less-than-crowded planes. All of the offerings carry a starting price tag of five or 10 cents plus taxes and fees. The auction will continue through September 14.

"We're putting the price of spontaneous weekend trips this fall into the hands of our customers," said Don Uselmann, JetBlue's manager of business development, in a statement. "This is their chance to compete to get the best deals on flights and vacation packages."

JetBlue said auctions include one- and two-person round-trip flights from Kennedy Airport – JetBlue's main hub - to more than 20 destinations, including Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Fort Lauderdale and California. There are also a handful of "mystery" holiday packages to undisclosed locations.

Each auction has a specific range of dates in which customers can travel, JetBlue said. Bidders will need to have a PayPal account.