JetBlue: Key Insights Before You Fly

JetBlue revolutionized the airline industry upon its launch in 2000 by offering an all-economy seating model. It has since grown to become North America's sixth-largest airline, transporting approximately 40 million passengers annually to over 100 destinations with more than 1,000 daily flights.

While JetBlue primarily serves North America, it has expanded to include transatlantic routes from New York City (and select flights from Boston) to cities such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam, featuring stylish Mint business-class suites. If you haven't flown with JetBlue recently, now could be a great time to revisit the latest reviews and offerings from the airline.

Fare Categories

JetBlue offers tickets across five primary fare categories, ranging from the most basic economy option to a fully-featured business class experience.

Blue Basic

Budget-conscious travelers can enjoy considerable savings by selecting JetBlue's entry-level fare: Blue Basic. However, with this fare tier, carry-on bags are generally not permitted unless you're on a transatlantic flight; only a small personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag, is allowed. While this fare is cost-effective, be prepared to incur additional charges for:

• Checked luggage
• Changes or cancellations
• Choosing your seat in advance

You'll board last and only earn a single TrueBlue point for every dollar spent, unlike the three points offered for other fare types.

You might not mind the lack of extras, as Tripadvisor user Elddis74 noted, "After researching this airline, I found it categorized as budget. Personally, I wouldn't label it that way. It's among the best flights I've experienced, and the return trip was just as good."

Blue

JetBlue's standard economy option, Blue, allows passengers to carry a bag and personal item on board for free, enjoy waived change and cancellation fees (except for same-day changes), select some seats in advance without charge, and board with the general group. However, checked bags come with an additional fee, except for one suitcase on transatlantic journeys.

Blue Plus

This fare category, when offered, shares the same benefits and limitations as Blue, but includes one checked bag no matter the destination.

Blue Extra

Looking for extra advantages? Opt for a Blue Extra ticket. In addition to the benefits of Blue, you can stand by for or change to another flight on the same day without incurring a fee, select from an even wider array of seats in advance, and enjoy early boarding. However, checked bags will still incur a fee except on transatlantic flights. At select airports, Blue Extra passengers may also benefit from priority check-in and security services, which are also available to those purchasing an Even More Space seat.

Mint

The airline provides its premier Mint business class seats and service on transatlantic flights and select cross-country, Latin America, and Caribbean routes. With this ticket, you can enjoy the aforementioned perks, plus priority boarding and two checked bags at no additional cost. On certain flights, there's also the possibility to upgrade to lie-flat seats, though these come at an extra charge.

As you might expect, Mint fares are significantly pricier than economy tickets, but many, like Tripadvisor user @644jeremyb, believe the premium is justified. They commented, "JetBlue goes above and beyond to care for their passengers, from pre-boarding to providing very comfortable flat beds. The meal service is also distinct, offering a variety of choices, all served in smaller portions that are much more flavorful and creative than those from major airlines."

Even More Space

Though it isn't a separate fare category, you can upgrade to this option, which provides extra legroom in coach along with faster check-in, security, and boarding. However, even with additional legroom, the seats aren't necessarily more comfortable, as noted by TripAdvisor user @GoldnAdvice, who described their experience by saying: "Sadly, JetBlue hasn't enhanced its seats, so I ended up with a rather uncomfortable one."

Change and Cancellation Policies

Like many airlines, JetBlue eased its change and cancellation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most fares, except for Blue Basic, have no change or cancellation fees. For flights within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, Blue Basic travelers face a $100 fee for changes or cancellations, while those on other routes will incur a $200 fee. If you change your mind after booking a flight (at least seven days in advance), you can cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

Passengers holding Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, or Mint tickets won't incur fees for changing or canceling their flights, but they will need to cover any fare differences. Instead of receiving a refund, you'll generally get a credit for a future trip, which might be trickier to utilize than expected, according to Tripadvisor user @patriciaU3085IG. They mentioned, "I had to cancel a trip I booked in early February for July. Instead of refunding my JetBlue card, they issued me a Travel Bank Credit that must be used by February 2024, or they'll keep my money."

If you're looking to stand by or switch to another flight on the same day, a fee of $75 will apply unless you hold Mosaic elite status or purchased a Blue Extra fare, in which case there will be no fare difference to worry about.

Baggage Policies and Fees

If you're only bringing a carry-on, you can take your bag on board for free with Blue class fares and higher. However, if you've booked a Blue Basic fare, make sure not to bring anything larger than the allowed personal item specified in JetBlue's baggage policy. If you do, be prepared to pay $65 for your first two bags and $180 for a third checked bag at the gate.

Naturally, there are times when you need to carry more than just a small suitcase. For flights within the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean, Blue Basic, Blue, and Blue Extra passengers will incur a $35 fee for their first checked bag and $45 for the second. If you opt for a Blue Plus fare, the first checked bag is free, but you'll still pay $45 for the second. Mint passengers can check two bags, each weighing up to 70 pounds, at no extra charge.

Mosaic elite members and holders of the JetBlue Plus credit card enjoy the benefit of a free carry-on and checked bag with all fare types. Transatlantic travelers also receive this perk, except for Blue Basic passengers unless they upgrade to an Even More Space seat.

While these baggage fees are fairly common these days, they still surprised Tripadvisor user @elliem893. They recounted, "I was hit with an additional $150 charge on top of the $35 for my bag being 10 lbs overweight (60 lbs instead of 50 lbs). When I asked why the fee was so high since they only charge an extra $45 for a second bag, the representative was quite rude, insisting that I shouldn't question JetBlue's policy."

Boarding Order

JetBlue follows a structured boarding procedure. Here's how it unfolds.

• Pre-boarding for passengers with disabilities
• Mosaic and Mint (business class) travelers
• Even More Space customers (Group A)
• Active military personnel and those accompanied by small children
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F

While this might seem orderly, it's important to note that things don’t always go as planned. Tripadvisor user @56denise shared that there was "a noticeable lack of clarity and organization during check-in and boarding. The multitude of passenger categories made it confusing to determine our class, type, and position in line."

Seating and Legroom

With a relatively limited route network compared to major legacy airlines like American Airlines and Delta, JetBlue operates just nine different aircraft types. From a passenger's perspective, it might feel like even fewer since many of these are essentially variations of the same aircraft with different layouts. Typically, you can expect to fly on an Airbus A220, A320, or A321, or an Embraer E190.

Economy

JetBlue is renowned for offering some of the most spacious coach seats in the industry. According to information gathered by SeatGuru, your seat width will range from 17.8 to 18.4 inches, with a pitch of 32 to 39 inches. On Airbus A320s and A321s, the seating arrangement follows a 3 – 3 configuration, while Embraers feature a 2 – 2 layout, and Airbus A220s offer a 2 – 3 setup.

Tripadvisor user @emmamQ5613MO remarked, "This was the most comfortable flight I've ever experienced, with seats that offered the most legroom I’ve had in economy class."

Even More Space

Positioned at the front of the economy section, Even More Space seats come with an additional cost but provide up to seven extra inches of legroom, with a pitch ranging from 35 to 41 inches, depending on the aircraft.

Mint

JetBlue has recently rolled out Mint Suite and Studio seating on its latest aircraft, although many of its jets still utilize the older model of this business-class setup.

The original Mint seats feature an alternating layout of 2 – 2 and 1 – 1, complete with sliding doors for enhanced privacy. Each seat measures about 20.5 inches wide, offers 58 inches of pitch, and can convert into an 80-inch lie-flat bed.

JetBlue has equipped some of its next-generation Airbus A321neos and A321LRs, serving transatlantic and transcontinental routes, with entirely new Mint Suites and Mint Studios.

Each Studio is a completely enclosed seat featuring sliding doors, angled towards the aisle, and can recline into a lie-flat bed. Only two of these spacious units are available on planes that offer them, located in the first row of the cabin. These luxurious setups even include an extra seating area for guests who may want to join you during your flight. Both Mint Studios and Suites are arranged in a 1 – 1 layout, ensuring no neighbors will obstruct your path to the lavatory.

Tripadvisor user @vickypO2191WD notes, "The Mint class was outstanding, providing plenty of space and exceptional comfort. The flight flew by both ways!"

Food and Beverage

Economy passengers can savor a variety of complimentary packaged snacks like Popchips and pretzels, along with free drinks such as sodas, juices, water, and Dunkin' coffees and teas. Recently, a Tripadvisor commenter @sacagawea89 mentioned on a flight from Philadelphia to Orlando, "No delays, the flight was extremely comfortable and the snacks and food provided were delightful."

For purchase, alcoholic drinks are available, as well as the airline's themed EatUp Boxes on flights longer than two hours. Options include a Mediterranean-inspired box featuring hummus, olives, and crackers, and another with cheese, crackers, and dried cherries. On some longer flights, you can also buy larger cheese plates, sandwiches, or salads. Reviews on these paid options vary, but @thebay_to_newengland commented on Tripadvisor, "I got hungry on the way back home, so I bought a turkey sandwich for $12. The price was steep, but the quality was quite good."

Flying Mint offers a premium meal and drink service with a selection of small plates provided by Delicious Hospitality Group. The menu changes based on route and schedule.

Cocktails may feature the signature Mint Condition, which includes Bombay Sapphire gin or Tito's vodka, ginger, lime, cucumber, and mint, while the wine selections are curated by the team at NYC wine shop/bar Parcelle. Recent dishes have included lasagna, farro with snap peas, radish, and pistachios, roasted shrimp, and Tuscan fried chicken. Check the current Mint menus before your flight to plan your meals.

Tripadvisor user @travis219m shared his Mint experience, stating, "The food service was excellent with plenty of menu options. You could select three main entrees! I opted for chicken curry, beef filet, and truffle ravioli. All three were fantastic!"

Amenities and Entertainment

While it may not have the extensive global network of some rivals, JetBlue excels in in-flight connectivity and comfort. The airline is a leader in providing in-flight Wi-Fi, offering high-speed access for free "at every seat, on every plane," with optimal service available on its newer and refurbished A320s and A321s.

JetBlue also features seatback entertainment screens at each seat. These screens are just under seven inches on the Embraers, about 10 inches on the A320s and A321s, and even larger in Mint (up to 22 inches in the Mint Suite). Passengers can enjoy live TV channels via DirecTV, a variety of TV shows and movies, music, games, and more.

Tripadvisor reviewer @hmajck noted, "The entertainment system at each seat was fantastic for keeping my kids engaged. Every plane is equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing them to play on iPads, phones, and more while in the air."

Most aircraft, except the A320 Classic and Embraer 190, come with USB ports at every seat and power outlets available—typically two for every three seats. However, it’s wise to verify the specific setup on your chosen flight during booking.

While coach passengers may not find many pillows or blankets nowadays, Mint travelers are treated to Tuft & Needle bedding, Master & Dynamic noise-canceling headphones, and amenity kits designed by wellness brand Wanderfuel.

JetBlue Credit Cards

JetBlue offers three co-branded credit cards. Frequent flyers may benefit from carrying one to accumulate additional points on their travels, along with enjoying exclusive perks and discounts.

The JetBlue Card currently provides 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days. Cardholders earn three points for every dollar spent on JetBlue purchases, two points for eligible restaurant and grocery purchases, and receive a 50% discount on in-flight food and cocktail purchases. There’s no annual fee associated with this card.

Alternatively, you might consider the JetBlue Plus Card, which allows you to earn up to 60,000 points after a $99 annual fee and $1,000 in spending within the first 90 days. This card offers six points per dollar on JetBlue purchases and two points for eligible restaurant and grocery purchases. It also includes a free first checked bag for up to three travelers on the same reservation, a 50% discount on in-flight food and cocktails, and a 5,000-point anniversary bonus each year, among other benefits. A similar business card is also offered.