** Shares of JetBlue Airways JBLU.O down 20% at $6.47 in early trading

** Carrier forecast higher costs and unit revenue below analysts' expectations for Q1

** Expects Q1 revenue per available seat mile (RASM), an industry metric commonly known as unit revenue, to range from a 0.5% decline to 3.5% growth vs analysts' expectations of 6.88% growth, according to data compiled by LSEG

** Cost-saving initiatives and improved pricing, however, helped co post smaller-than-expected Q4 adjusted loss of 21 cents per share; analysts were expecting adj loss of 31 cents per share

** JBLU stock rose 41.6% in 2024

(Reporting by Rupali Chaudhary in Bengaluru)

((Rupali.Chaudhary@thomsonreuters.com))