JetBlue Airways, Puerto Rico ‘s largest carrier, has started it’s inaugural service to the U.S. Virgin Islands with twice-daily flights between San Juan ‘s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) and St. Thomas International Airport (STT) and once-daily flights between San Juan and St. Croix International Airport (STX). The carrier’s network now boasts 70 destinations across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean , including 11 destinations served nonstop from San Juan.

To celebrate, flights are on sale today through December 31, 2011 at www.jetblue.com/new for as low as $39 for travel January 5 – February 15, 2012. Additionally, travelers looking for an entire vacation package experience, complete with air, hotel, wheels and more can take advantage of JetBlue Getaways $100 off any vacation using promo code ENJOY100 for bookings made by December 31, 2011.

“Since our inaugural service to the Commonwealth nearly a decade ago, Puerto Ricans have consistently made JetBlue their carrier of choice,” said Scott Laurence , vice president of network planning. “It is thanks to their loyal support we’ve been able to maintain steady growth on the island, adding even more destinations for visitors and residents of Puerto Rico alike. We are pleased to add this newest service to the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands .”

“We’ve worked diligently at the Department of Economic Development and Commerce to transform flight access to the region, and JetBlue’s new service is a direct result of this stratagem,” said Jose R. Perez-Riera , Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. “It’s key to Puerto Rico ‘s economic development that we have the support of a renowned airline like JetBlue, which continues to expand. The carrier’s growing presence is central for overall air traffic growth in Puerto Rico .”

“On behalf of the people and Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands , we are delighted to welcome JetBlue to the Territory,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism, Beverly Nicholson-Doty . “The added capacity created by this new JetBlue service to both St. Croix and St. Thomas will allow us to maximize the inbound market from Puerto Rico , market to potential visitors connecting through San Juan and provide a new option for Virgin Islanders traveling to Puerto Rico and abroad,” she said.

“This additional airlift, estimated to bring over 70,000 passengers a year, strengthens Puerto Rico as the hub of the Caribbean region. The added service to both St. Croix and St. Thomas will allow us to maximize the market potential as the U.S. Virgin Islands are our top source of passengers from the Caribbean ,” said Mario Gonzalez Lafuente , Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “It will be an economic boost to important inbound tourism segments such as corporate, leisure, medical, entertainment, groups and conventions among others.”

Customers traveling to St. Thomas or St. Croix can also seamlessly connect via San Juan to additional destinations throughout JetBlue’s network, including Fort Lauderdale , Orlando or Tampa, Fla. ; Hartford, Conn. ; or New York ‘s JFK. St. Thomas customers can also connect to Jacksonville, Fla. through San Juan.

Additionally, JetBlue is making it easier for New Englanders to visit the Virgin Islands with the launch of seasonal service between Boston’s Logan International Airport and St. Thomas starting December 15. At least five weekly departures will operate nonstop on the southbound flight and direct via San Juan on the northbound flight to Boston.

JetBlue’s flights from San Juan will be operated with its quiet and fuel efficient 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft (E190), while flights from Boston will be operated with the airline’s equally-comfortable Airbus A320 fleet. In Puerto Rico , JetBlue serves San Juan , Aguadilla and Ponce, with flights to eleven non-stop destinations, six within the continental U.S.: Boston , Hartford (starting in January 2012 ), New York, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa and four within the Caribbean : Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic , St. Maarten , St. Thomas, and St. Croix. This summer JetBlue grew to 35 daily flights to the island, and now offers more capacity (available seat miles) to and from the Commonwealth than any other airline.

JetBlue, 800-JET-BLUE (800-538-2583), www.jetblue.com