JetBlue starts refund program for laid off workers

JetBlue Airways Corp. said Tuesday it will issue full refunds to eligible customers who lose their jobs after purchasing tickets.

Customers who book flights between Feb. 1 and June 1 and lose their jobs on or after Feb. 17 may be eligible for the JetBlue Promise Program. JetBlue fares are generally nonrefundable.

Customers must notify JetBlue and request a full refund at least two weeks before the first day of travel. The customer who purchased the flight can request a refund for up to nine customers traveling on one reservation.

The program is part of an effort to spur early bookings as consumers pull back on travel amid a gloomy economy.

In an e-mail to the Associated Press, Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl said he does not think the deal is unusual, noting some car rental companies already offer similar programs.

Amid a broader market sell-off, shares of JetBlue lost 26 cents, or 4.5 percent, at $5.58 in afternoon trading.