JetBlue CEO Collected Garbage, Awarded Random Passengers Free Tickets in Economy Class Flight

JetBlue CEO Collected Garbage, Awarded Random Passengers Free Tickets in Economy Class Flight
Stock image of a JetBlue plane. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Venus Upadhayaya
4/10/2019
Updated:
4/10/2019

JetBlue CEO, Robin Hayes was spotted collecting garbage on an economy class flight on April 5 in an act that won him many admirers. The airline executive also took to the intercom to award random passengers free tickets.

“It was a fun experience for everyone on the flight,” JetBlue passenger Joe Chase told Fox News. “Unfortunately I didn’t win a free ticket but I gained a new respect for JetBlue and will definitely be flying them again!”

Robin Hayes, JetBlue's chief executive officer. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Robin Hayes, JetBlue's chief executive officer. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hayes was on a flight between Washington and Boston and a JetBlue representative told FoxNews that it was not the first time for the CEO to do such a thing and that it was a common occurrence.

Chase who works with Lake Street Advisors shared a picture of Hayes at the intercom on his LinkedIn with a caption that said, “CEO Robin Hayes got on the mic on my flight today to give away a couple (of) tickets to random passengers by playing “seat bingo.” When returning to his seat (flying economy) he walked down the aisle of the plane collecting trash from passengers. No job is below the CEO!”

LinkedIn users applauded Hayes for his leadership and for putting himself in his guest’s shoes.

“Being humble is (an) important part of being CEO. He is also putting himself in his Guest Shoes and his Customers shoes at the same time. Great way to figure out how his business is doing,” commented Khalil Harazin.

“Now, that’s true leadership. Not asking your employees to do something you wouldn’t do yourself,” said LinkedIn user, Chris Shea.

A commenter talked about meeting Hayes personally. “I had the opportunity to meet Robin personally and I can confirm he is a really exceptional leader with a great personality. People minded, taking care about passengers, flight an cabin crews!

A JetBlue representative said that it’s nice to see customers recognizing the crew’s efforts. “When any of JetBlue’s leaders travel, they often look for the opportunity to connect with customers and help our crewmembers wherever they’re able,” said the representative.

Hayes talked about inspiring humanity in an earlier interview with WCBS Newsradio 880.

“Inspiring Humanity, more than anything else really resonates. How important it is to just treat others with respect,” he said.

JetBlue is known as a discount carrier because of its low priced tickets and is the seventh largest airlines in the United States. The company was founded in 2000 and is based in Queens, New York.

The airlines flew 42 million people last year and took them to 100 cities, reported the USA Today. It has over 22,000 employees and 1,000 flights every day.

Hayes has been working with the company since Feb. 16, 2015.

Venus Upadhayaya reports on India, China and the Global South. Her traditional area of expertise is in Indian and South Asian geopolitics. Community media, sustainable development, and leadership remain her other areas of interest.
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