Last year JetBlue confirmed plans to add domestic first clsas to aircraft. They have a business class product (Mint) on long haul and certain premium routes but most of their fleet is all-coach.
They’ve now said that this product, that’s been nicknamed by many outside the airline ‘Junior Mint’, will arrive this coming year.
- 25% of its all-coach fleet retrofitted in 2026
- Vast majority complete by 2027
While great for those who want to buy up to a more premium experience, like JetBlue’s larger competitors offer, it will also mean less legroom in the rest of the plane. That will make the airline less appealing on a competitive basis to the vast majority of customers, whom the carrier is clearly betting are driven by price (hence they aren’t buying up) and that they do not today get the benefit from their marginally more generous product.
They’re moving to Amazon’s upcoming Starlink competitor for wifi. And JetBlue is opening two lounges – with New York JFK still on track for later this year, and Boston following next year. These are funded by their $499 premium credit card – it’s been odd to me that people have already been spending the $500 for that versus waiting until there are actual lounges.
The airline has been slashing routes, dropping hot meals in coach on long hauls and charging for bloody mary mix. They’ve led the industry in raising checked bag fees, even as they walk away from buisiness travelers in pursuit of more price-sensitive leisure customers. They’re seeking scale through partnerships like the one with United which should make their frequent flyer program more attractive, and help with co-brand credit card revenue – just like the lounges are positioned to, since today they do not appeal to the high-spending affluent cardmember base without those.
I’m pumped about this, both the lounge(s) and recliners. Long-overdue to have a B6 lounge at JFK at least. @Mike Hunt, isn’t this is what you said you’d like to see Southwest do? Well, it took jetBlue nearly 25 years. And, @Tim Dunn, you’ve said for WN to fly to Europe. Bah. I still doubt all of that.
Awesome news! Southwest execs, are you listening?
Well, if they’re introducing First Class, that means that Mint Is Shint is and has always been no-class, just like the people who fly this flaming bag of dog waste that is JetBlow.
@Mike Hunt — Well, that confirms it.
Fantastic news. And let’s see what the lounges look like, but lounge access would make B6 transcon / TATL even more appealing.
Harder and harder to pick a jetblie flight. Delays at an outstation are ruinous to travel plans. Recently had a 12 hour delay as jetblue attempted to scramble plane and crew from around the country. They admitted the delay was their fault. But didn’t announce the exact length of the delay until all west coast to east coast morning flights had departed
Have to say I found mint on Jet Blue not comfortable and always dirty . Food service I never ate it. Staff were 50/50 some nice others rude. Great coffee.
Good start, but do we know if the Mint aircraft will also get Junior Mint seats? Seems like it would be feasible to have 4 classes (Mint, Junior Mint, EMS, and Core) on some routes.
It’s too late for them now, but I think that Neeleman was right that JetBlue should’ve bought widebodies during COVID. I would’ve only used them on slot restricted, high demand routes like JFK-LHR. I’d use the XLR for lower demand routes long hauls like BOS-FCO.
@Peter – agree at JFK, but I don’t really understand why so many people here are anxious for the lounge in Logan. The Chase lounge is accessible to Terminal C and pretty good (except for the long lines sometimes).
I’ll believe it when I see it.
@JOJO — Sounds like you’d be in-favor of air passenger rights legislation like EU261 so that we passengers at least could get paid ($200-600) whenever airlines mess up like that… oh, wait, something-something ‘socialism’… nevermind, just bootstraps for you!
@VK so you answered your own question – why would they choose to wait in a long line for the Chase lounge when they could have their own exclusive lounge that everybody else cant get into?
@O’Hare Is My Second Home — You no nothing. Save the rest of us from your troubles, and please stay at ORD or just fly with United. Eww.
1990: I know everything. I can get anywhere I want with United and American directly from ORD (1K and ExP, respectively) and am happy with them. The only reason I tolerate JetBlow’s existence is that it acts as a stupidity trap for Noo Yawk Yankers and Massholes and thus keeps those subhuman dregs off my airplanes.
That’s Premium Economy – not First Class.