Jill Eshbaugh Takes the Helm: JetBlue's Strategic Leadership Move in Airport Operations

JetBlue has brought aboard a seasoned aviation executive to drive its airport operations strategy. Jill Eshbaugh, who brings nearly three decades of experience from the airline industry, has stepped into the role of Vice President for airports experience at the carrier. In this capacity, she will manage day-to-day operations spanning over 100 JetBlue destinations across the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

Eshbaugh will operate under the leadership of Warren Christie, who heads safety, security, fleet operations, airports, and JetBlue University. Her career trajectory prior to this appointment underscores why the airline made this choice. She spent 25 years at United Airlines, where she progressed through increasingly senior roles—beginning as a frontline agent at Chicago O’Hare before advancing to managing director positions overseeing airport operations across domestic, Asia Pacific, European, Middle Eastern, African, and Indian regions. Until 2019, she served as United’s Vice President for employee relations and engagement, a role that demonstrates her understanding of both operational excellence and workforce dynamics.

Christie emphasized the value of this appointment, noting that “her nearly three decades as a leader in our industry will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our network while focusing on operational excellence and delivering exceptional customer service.” This hire signals JetBlue’s commitment to strengthening its operational infrastructure as it expands its network presence.

Eshbaugh herself expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, “I’m thrilled to be joining JetBlue at this exciting time for the airline. I look forward to working collaboratively with the airports team to run an operation we can all be proud of.” Her educational credentials—a degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a law degree from Valparaiso University—add another layer of expertise to her operational leadership.

For JetBlue, this appointment reflects the airline’s strategy to attract proven talent from within the aviation sector. As New York’s Hometown Airline and a leading carrier in major hubs including Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan, the carrier continues to invest in leadership that can sustain its operational performance across its expanding route network.