S&P affirms JetBlue credit rating

Standard & Poor's affirms JetBlue credit rating, revises outlook to stable

• On 3:57 pm EST, Monday November 2, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its credit rating on JetBlue Airways Corp. on Monday, and revised its outlook to stable, from negative.

S&P based the revision on improved profitability and JetBlue's improving liquidity, with $951 million in cash. That works out to about 29 percent of the last 12 months' revenues, which S&P said is better than average for U.S. airlines.

S&P analyst Philip Baggaley said factors in a potential increase in JetBlue's ratings would include cash staying above $800 million. If losses drain cash consistently below $500 million, JetBlue's rating could be reduced, he said.

JetBlue shares fell 1 cent to $4.95 in afternoon trading.