HAYES
Robin

• 1. Career
• 1.1. jetBlue

Robin N. Hayes is a British businessman who is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of jetBlue. He has served as president since 1 January 2014, and CEO since 16 February 2015.

Career

After university, his first job in the aviation industry was delivering duty-free items to passengers at Logan International Airport in Boston for a summer. Employees would earn a $50 prize for perfect attendance, but Hayes called in sick on his last day. He then designed military cockpit avionic systems for a year before starting a job at British Airways working as a gate attendant and at the ticket counter in Glasgow, Scotland.

Hayes then joined British Airways, ultimately rising to the position of Executive Vice President for The Americas over nineteen years at the airline. He also served as the General Manager for Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

jetBlue

Hayes became jetBlue's chief commercial officer in August 2008. In 2012, Hayes became a U.S. citizen, a requirement for becoming CEO of a U.S. airline. He was named the airline's president on 1 January 2014. Among the initiatives that Hayes spearheaded was jetBlue Mint, a premium cabin offering on select transcontinental flights.

Hayes became CEO on 16 February 2015, upon the resignation of JetBlue founder and CEO David Barger due to concern from Wall Street analysts about the airline's efforts to increase revenues. Under Hayes, JetBlue announced a codeshare alliance with American Airlines in July 2020. Another major move during Hayes's tenure is the pending purchase of discount airline Spirit Airlines. JetBlue agreed in July 2022 to purchase Spirit for $3.8 billion, which would create the fifth largest carrier in the United States.

In December 2022, Hayes received a two-year extension to his contract, extending his term as CEO until at least 1 September 2025.

On 08 January 2024, JetBlue announces that Hayes will step down as CEO on 12 February 2024.