NEW YORK (WCSB 880) — JetBlue flew three New York-themed jets over New York City on Thursday night to thank frontline workers, but the gesture was not received well by some residents.
Many New Yorkers took to social media, not to post videos and photos of the flyover, but to criticize the flyover as an eerie reminder of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
“A low-flying plane headed toward lower manhattan (sic) says “crisis” even more than I thought it would @JetBlue,” one user wrote.
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also criticized the airline for the flyover, saying it was simply a public relations stunt.
“Nothing like a corporate PR campaign that burns jet fuel at low altitudes over vulnerable communities dying from a respiratory virus that compounds on our preexisting and disproportionate exposure to air pollution to show healthcare workers we care,” she wrote.
The terror attacks still live in the minds of many New Yorkers and many are now battling 9/11-related illnesses, driving many to ask why the airline would fly passenger jets so low around the five boroughs.
Others said the flyover does not appear to give substantive help to healthcare workers or first responders, who have expressed frustrations with being called "heroes" instead of receiving a pay raise amid the pandemic.
However, the flyover was not disliked by all.
The FDNY posted photos of Blue Bravest, the Fire Department-themed aircraft, and thanked JetBlue for the show of support.
The NYPD Special Ops also shared videos of the planes before takeoff and showed appreciation for the salute.
Other New Yorkers also called it a nice tribute.
JetBlue still plans to donate round-trip flights to 100,000 healthcare workers in New York City and across the country.
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