I Experienced JetBlue's Maiden Flight to London — Here’s My Experience

JetBlue has officially crossed the Atlantic, launching its new route from New York City to London this week with a brand-new fleet. We had an exclusive preview of what travelers can look forward to on their next journey to London with JetBlue.

To commemorate the inaugural flight, which took off on August 11, the airline introduced a new lineup of planes featuring premium offerings. Frequent JetBlue flyers will be delighted by the Mint Studios and Suites, which provide an array of amenities — including ample space and exceptional dining options, a rarity on airplanes.

JetBlue already serves over 100 destinations across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean, but had not ventured into Europe — until now. Earlier this year, they revamped their first-class service with the introduction of the new Mint, featuring private 'cabins' with plenty of room.

This route expansion is not a one-time event, as JetBlue has placed an order for 26 aircraft to support their growing European presence in the coming years. The first of these, the Airbus A321 Long Range (LR), now flies passengers from New York’s JFK Airport to London Heathrow.

The aircraft was specially crafted to elevate the customer experience on this long-haul route, featuring all the luxuries associated with JetBlue's Mint premium service. Onboard, the two Mint Studios provide lie-flat beds by Tuft & Needle, a set of pajamas for red-eye travelers, ample storage, a 17-inch TV (the largest on any U.S. airline), and a retractable door for added privacy. Additionally, there are 22 Mint Suites offering similar amenities with slightly less space and no pajamas. Even the 114 economy seats boast up to five extra inches of legroom compared to most transcontinental flights.

For entertainment, passengers can choose from a wide variety of shows and movies from Showtime and HBO, including a curated selection of London-themed films, along with a few games. For dining, the airline collaborated with the New York City restaurant Pasquale Jones to create the menu for Mint travelers, while economy passengers can enjoy offerings from another NYC favorite, Dig Inn.

Although this development marks significant progress for the company, they aren’t slowing down. A new route from NYC to London Gatwick is scheduled to launch on September 29, followed by routes connecting Boston and London in the summer of 2022.