Joanna Geraghty Becomes First Female CEO of a Major U.S. Airline with JetBlue Appointment

In a significant milestone for gender equality in the aviation industry, Joanna Geraghty, currently serving as both the president and the chief operating officer of JetBlue, is set to ascend to the CEO role of the major U.S. airline. Starting in mid-February, Geraghty will make history as she steps into a position historically held by men in the major U.S. airline sector.

A Unanimous Decision

The board of directors at JetBlue expressed unwavering confidence in Geraghty, casting a unanimous vote for her appointment, effective Feb. 12. She will be succeeding Robin Hayes, who has decided to depart the role to concentrate on his health and personal well-being.

Extensive Experience

Geraghty's tenure at JetBlue spans nearly two decades, reflecting a rich career encompassing vital leadership roles such as executive vice president of customer experience, where she oversaw airports, customer support, and in-flight service. She also brought expertise to the table as the chief people officer and earlier as vice president, associate general counsel, and director of litigation and regulatory affairs.

Her promotion comes as the Women of Aviation report from 2022 indicates that women composed just 8% of CEOs among the world's top 100 airlines—highlighting the significance of Geraghty's achievement.

Industry Challenges and Ambitions

Geraghty's ascent coincides with challenging times for the airline, as a proposed merger between Spirit Airlines and JetBlue faces scrutiny and opposition from the Department of Justice over antitrust concerns. With the fear of reduced competition and higher prices looming, the merger's fate hangs in the balance with recent closing arguments in the antitrust case being presented in Boston this past December.

JetBlue also saw the end of its collaboration with American Airlines in July 2023 after a federal judge’s ruling pertaining to antitrust laws. Meanwhile, JetBlue’s intended acquisition of Spirit Airlines, valued at $3.8 billion, could significantly expand its operational scale. The merger is set to position JetBlue as the sixth-largest airline in the United States, according to the airline’s own announcement and reports by the Washington Post.

Airline, Leadership, Gender