Published on Monday, October 21, 2019

JetBlue gate agent pleads guilty to defrauding airline

A former JetBlue gate agent pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges which allege she used her position to gift friends and family expensive upgraded flights.

Tiffany Jenkins, 31, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in a Boston federal court.

As a gate agent, Jenkins was able to access to the reservations system and used a special override code to change the lowest domestic fares for more expensive flights on completely different routes including international journeys.

Over a 15-month period she made more than 500 involuntary ticket exchanges for over 100 passengers, according to US attorney Andrew Lelling.

She used the special 'INVOL' override code which is generally used for passengers who miss a flight or where fees are waived at the last minutes such as when there is a family bereavement.

"Jenkins exchanged those tickets for a completely different city pair, generally involving much more expensive international locations, for friends, family and acquaintances," the US attorney's office said.

It is thought JetBlue was defrauded out of $785,000, although Jenkins said in her defense that she did not profit personally.

She faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 21.