JetBlue Debuts Special Aircraft for FDNY

Is that a flying fire truck? Nope it's just JetBlue's tribute to the New York City Fire Department and the FDNY Foundation as New York's Hometown Airline. The airline debuted a special aircraft called "Blue Bravest" which contains the FDNY shield.

JetBlue is the only major airline based in New York. The airline is supportive of hometown firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. To show its pride for the FDNY, the airline has created the special jet.

"We are New York's Hometown Airline, we not only work here, we live here too," said Dave Barger, president and CEO of JetBlue Airways. "On a daily basis we see the hard work of firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians who help keep our city safe. We appreciate their dedication and are excited to support our hometown heroes in a very JetBlue way. We've substituted our namesake blue and painted this airplane red, a special honor just for the FDNY Foundation."

Dave Barger and FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano revealed this aircraft to JetBlue crewmembers, friends and family and FDNY personnel on October 23 at JetBlue's JFK Hangar. The plane was flown straight to New York from Roswell, N.M. where it underwent the makeover. When it reached New York City, it did a low-altitude fly-by over the Hudson River at sunrise, allowing New Yorkers to get the first glimpse of the FDNY jet.

"JetBlue has shown they are true friends of the Department through their generous support of the FDNY Foundation and active partners in our mission to keep New Yorkers safe from fire," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano. "Now, with this incredible aircraft, JetBlue has created an outstanding tribute to the 15,000 members of the FDNY and the life-saving work they perform every single day."

The FDNY Organization is a non-profit group for the FDNY which supports the message of fire safety and prevention. It also holds programs in which it provides new equipment, training and support for thousands of firefighters and members of the department's Emergency Medical Service.

JetBlue and the FDNY have a connection as many JetBlue employees are former FDNY members who retired. The airline has donated $300,000 to help transport firefighters to other regions to support other firefighters in situations where extra help was needed. For instance, they transported firefighters following Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and wildfires in California in 2007 and Arizona in 2013, among other events.