Providence Journal photos / Bob Breidenbach
R.I. native Patricia Socha was copilot of the first JetBlue scheduled flight to land at T.F. Green today, flying the American and Rhode Island flags.
WARWICK, R.I. -- Amid celebration, JetBlue Airways' inaugural flight to R.I. arrived -- just a couple of minutes late -- Thursday afternoon, marking the start of three round-trip flights a day to two Florida airports.
"JetBlue Airways welcomes you to Providence for the very first time," flight attendant Nicole Pineda announced onboard Flight 1076, prompting applause from the 90 passengers.
As the Airbus A320 taxied to Gate 12 of the terminal, fire trucks sprayed it in a water cannon salute.
Inside the terminal, New England Patriots cheerleaders waving silver pompons greeted passengers, many of whom were waving red-and-blue pompons provided by the airlines in gift bags.
Past the cheerleaders, Governor Chafee personally greeted passengers, shaking hands with many.
Providence Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker was aboard and tweeted its arrival:
JetBlue service has arrived at T.F. Green. Flight 1076 touched down at 1:18 p.m.
— Paul Edward Parker (@projopaul) November 29, 2012
An earlier version of this report was posted at 1:48 p.m.
R.I. Governor Lincoln Chafee and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian greet the passengers from the inaugural JetBlue flight to Rhode Island this afternoon as they disembark.