JetBlue offers free flights to Orlando for victims' families of nightclub shooting
JetBlue has been lauded for its response to the Orlando shootings after it offered free flights to and from the city for immediate family members and domestic partners of victims of attack.
The low cost American airline made the announcement on its blog and Twitter under the banner #WeStandWithOrlando.
"Our hearts are with the victims, their families and friends and the Orlando community," the blog post read. "This weekend's events are felt by all of our 19,000 crew members, many of whom live in, work from and travel through Orlando—one of our focus cities—at Orlando International Airport, our Orlando Support Center and JetBlue University."
The offer was widely praised on Twitter, providing an ideal example of how brands can make a relevant response to travesties that will also win favour with consumers.
Great job @JetBlue #orlandostrong pic.twitter.com/HSS8Dyi8yF
— Bungalower (@Bungalower) June 13, 2016
THANK YOU @JetBlue Airways for going above and beyond! JetBlue is providing free seats on available flights to... https://t.co/QxdmlEe8PP — Perez (@ThePerezHilton) June 14, 2016
This is dope @jetblue is offering free flights to and from Orlando to the immediate family members of the victims pic.twitter.com/ejqZwMYxwi
— Him Kardashian-West (@mrLdavis) June 13, 2016
doing it right @JetBlue! #OrlandoUnited https://t.co/wm9oavnkxS — KaylanS (@kkblabs) June 13, 2016
I'm a new fan of @JetBlue who are offering free flights to family/domestic partners of anyone affected by #OrlandoShooting #GoodBusiness
— Lisa Edelstein (@LisaEdelstein) June 14, 2016
JetBlue also announced in the blog post that it will make a charitable contribution to support the victims and their families.
The shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Orlando's LGBTI nightclub, Pulse, and took the lives of 50 people.
Reporting of the attack has stirred controversy over the perceived motive of the lone gunman. Journalist Owen Jones stormed out of Sky News' Press Preview show on Sunday night (12 June), after clashing with fellow guests over the nature of the attack.