ExpressJet Airlines announces JetBlue University Gateway Program partnership

ExpressJet Airlines ("ExpressJet") is excited to announce a partnership with JetBlue Airways ("JetBlue") through the JetBlue University Gateway Program ("Gateway") to offer qualified students and current pilots a clear pathway to a career at JetBlue.

The partnership expands on an earlier agreement with JetBlue to create three distinct pathways from an Aviation Accreditation Board International ("AABI") partner school to ExpressJet to JetBlue:

ExpressJet to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year to meet Airline Transport Pilot ("ATP")/Restricted Airline Transport Pilot ("R-ATP") minimums >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 3,000 hours and 36 months for at least 4,000 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

ExpressJet to Cape Air to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year to meet ATP/R-ATP minimums >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 1,800 hours and 24 months >> Serve as a captain at Cape Air for at least 1,000 hours and 12 months for at least 3,800 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

Cape Air to ExpressJet to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year >> Serve as a captain at Cape Air for at least 1,000 hours and 18 months >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 1,800 hours and 18 months for at least 3,800 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

In addition, this new partnership will offer current ExpressJet pilots who meet all program requirements an additional option for career advancement.

"ExpressJet and JetBlue share similar values and a dedication to hiring highly qualified pilots, making our partnership both a good culture fit as well as mutually beneficial for each airline and our pilots," said Brad Sheehan, senior vice president of Operations – ExpressJet Airlines. "We're excited to introduce this new partnership to further solidify ExpressJet as the best regional airline for collegiate aviators to begin their careers."

The new ExpressJet pathways join the long-standing partnership between Cape Air and JetBlue. The Cape Air to JetBlue pathway requires graduation from an AABI partner school, flight instructor experience and at least 2,500 hours and 24 months at Cape Air for at least 3,200 total flight hours, plus a jet transition course before an interview at JetBlue.

Pilots in the Gateway program must meet a defined set of criteria, including regular performance reviews, and successfully complete new hire interviews at each airline in the path they choose. In addition, for the University Gateway Program, pilots must attend Auburn University, Bridgewater State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona and Prescott campuses), Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Jacksonville University and the University of North Dakota. For the Advanced Gateway, pilots who graduated with an accredited major and flight training from any AABI school are eligible. For more information, visitwww.futurebluepilots.com.