New nonstop flights from Nashville International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will operate twice daily starting in April, JetBlue announced Thursday.

The New York-based airline announced a series of scheduled and route changes as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary next month.

“We continue to identify opportunities to strengthen our focus cities and allocate flying so we can offer better schedules and high-demand destinations for our customers,” said Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue.

The new route joins JetBlue’s nonstop service from Nashville (BNA) to Boston and Fort Lauderdale.

The flights, using JetBlue’s Airbus A320 aircraft, begin on April 28 and run as follows:

JFK – BNA Flight #1073: 8:00 a.m. – 9:39 a.m.

BNA – JFK Flight #1074: 10:25 a.m. – 1:48 p.m.

JFK – BNA Flight #983: 4:40 p.m. – 6:19 p.m.

BNA – JFK Flight #978: 7:05 p.m. – 10:28 p.m.

“JetBlue’s new service to New York City is a welcome addition,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “New York has become our number three market for visitation, and the direct service gives us an opportunity to grow one of the largest and best markets in the country.”

The Nashville flights were part of a broad announcement from the airline, which its shaking up its routes by ending several flights.

Separately Thursday, JetBlue also increased its fees for checked bags.

Source: Tennessean