JetBlue's Joanna Geraghty named the 2023 Tony Jannus Award Recipient

The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society has named JetBlue President & Chief Operating Officer Joanna Geraghty as this year’s Tony Jannus Award recipient, presented annually to someone who has made major and lasting contributions to the commercial aviation industry.

The award, which is given to top names in the commercial aviation industry and celebrates the Tampa Bay region’s history as the birthplace of commercial aviation, will be presented to Geraghty at a gala celebration on Nov. 2, 2023, at the J.W. Marriott in Tampa.

Geraghty will be the second woman to receive the 59-year-old award in what has traditionally been a male-dominated profession. Former Southwest Airlines President & Corporate Secretary Colleen C. Barrett received the award in 2007.

As President and COO, Geraghty is responsible for JetBlue’s operations and commercial performance as well as overseeing safety and security, network and airline partnerships, marketing and revenue management. Under Geraghty’s leadership, JetBlue has gained a reputation of delivering a leading customer service experience while also nurturing JetBlue’s standing as one of the best places to work.

Geraghty said, "It is an honor to be recognized along with JetBlue’s 25,000 Crewmembers by the Tony Jannus Society. Our Crewmembers are the best in the industry, and safely deliver the much-loved JetBlue Experience – our unique combination of low fares and award-winning service – to our customers every day. I am grateful to the Tony Jannus Society for recognizing JetBlue’s accomplishments in disrupting the airline industry."  

Prior to her current role, Geraghty served as JetBlue’s Executive Vice President, Customer Experience, responsible for Airport Operations, Customer Support, and Inflight Service. She served as Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer from 2010-2014, after serving as Vice President and Associate General Counsel and Director of Litigation and Regulatory Affairs. Geraghty has been with the New York-based airline since 2005.

"We’re delighted to honor and celebrate Joanna Geraghty and the immense contributions she has made to the industry," said Autumn Ward, 2023 Tony Jannus Society Co-Chair. “As a powerhouse of an airline COO and woman who has broken many barriers in the world of commercial aviation, she represents all that the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society stands for in honoring history, innovation and progress. She is an incredible and dynamic leader, and we’re thrilled to be able to recognize the many accomplishments she’s achieved in her JetBlue career and beyond.”

Sponsorships and tables for the event are available for purchase at TonyJannus.com

The Tampa and St. Petersburg Chambers of Commerce established the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society in 1964 to recognize outstanding contributors to the growth and improvement of the scheduled airline industry.

Tony Jannus Award past honorees include elite aviation pioneers, aeronautical engineers, industry CEOs and government leaders. The list includes world-renowned figures such as Chuck Yeager, Herb Kelleher, Sir Richard Branson, and Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.

The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that focuses on a three-part mission to:

• Perpetuate the legacy of the world’s first commercial airline flight, piloted by Tony Jannus on January 1, 1914, between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida
• Promote and provide financial support to college students in Florida pursuing commercial aviation careers through its Jannus Scholar Award program
• Encourage the interest of Florida high school students in commercial aviation and the legacy of Tony Jannus through its annual statewide essay contest.

For more information, go to TonyJannus.com.