JetBlue’s Lower-Priced First-Class Seats
If you frequently fly JetBlue, your in-flight experience could get a whole lot sweeter, particularly if you’re interested in first-class amenities. Well, that’s if you’re willing to fork over $599 or more for a one-way ticket. That’s more than coach, but for first-class, it’s something of a bargain.
In 2014, the airline rolled out Mint, beginning with transcontinental flights between New York City and Los Angeles, so you can fly in first-class luxury and arrive in “Mint condition.” Since then, JetBlue has expanded the service to additional routes between the east and west coast of the U.S., from the east coast to Las Vegas, and between the U.S. and select Caribbean destinations on a seasonal basis.
Key Takeaways
- Mint is Jet Blue’s premium airline product for transcontinental flights in the U.S. and select Caribbean destinations.
- The fully reclinable, lie-flat seats—which include adjustable firmness and a massage feature—are one of Mint’s most popular perks.
- Other first-class amenities include expedited check-in and boarding, upscale dining, a travel kit, and inflight entertainment options.
- A disadvantage of Mint is the limited number of routes currently offered.
- The base price for a one-way Mint ticket is $599; prices can vary depending on destination, date of flight, and season.
What’s Included in the Mint Experience?
The following are the first-class perks that you get when you purchase one of these JetBlue tickets.
Lie-Flat Seats
JetBlue is known for its generous legroom aboard its aircraft. For a fee, you have the option to upgrade to an “Even More Space” seat. However, Mint takes it up a notch with seats that lie flat so you can fly in greater comfort. Single seats even offer extra privacy with their own door. These seats are also equipped with massage capabilities so you can give your muscles some soothing relief after a long day of work or travel. Seats come with a plush comforter and pillow.
Expedited Check-In and Boarding
If you tend to run behind schedule or simply want to avoid all the hassle that comes with catching a flight, Mint has you covered. You can check-in at an exclusive kiosk and board before all the other passengers. Plus, you’ll be granted access to the security lane with the shortest wait times.
In-Flight Amenities
When you purchase a Mint ticket, these are the amenities you can expect while onboard the jet:
- Free WiFi: Also known as Fly-Fi, JetBlue offers free broadband Internet to all its customers. However, the service provided to Mint patrons is faster.
- Upscale dining: Mint passengers also receive complete meals, artisanal snacks, gourmet ice cream, and full-bottle wine service during their flight. This is definitely an upgrade from the pint-sized snacks and beverages offered to other passengers for a price. Menus change each month and are posted online.
- Amenity kit: You can expect an amenity kit from Hayward & Hopper filled with grooming products like sunscreen, facial cleaning wipes, and other goodies for both men and women.
- Entertainment: You’ll have your own 15″ personal seatback touchscreen and use of hand-crafted SR60e headphones from Grado Labs. The in-flight entertainment includes DirecTV, SiriusXM Radio, and a large library of free on-demand movies and TV shows.
Post-Flight Perks
If you have checked your bags, your luggage will be the first to the carousel so you won’t have an added wait at the baggage claim after you disembark from the plane.
Where Mint Will Take You Now
JetBlue has made Mint available on transcontinental and Caribbean routes between the following destinations (all tickets have to be purchased at least 30 days before your departure date).
From Boston (BOS) to:
- Aruba (seasonal)
- Barbados (seasonal)
- Las Vegas
- The Angels
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
From Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to:
- The Angels
- San Francisco
From New York (JFK) to:
- Aruba (seasonal)
- Barbados (seasonal)
- Grenada (seasonal)
- Las Vegas
- Liberia
- The Angels
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- St. Lucia (seasonal)
The Price of a Ticket
The rates can be significantly higher than the one-way base price of $599 that is advertised on the JetBlue website. While Mint seats start at $599 one-way, many sell out weeks in advance. Because Mint seats are limited to the first few rows of the plane, they often fill up fast.
Some of JetBlue’s Mint routes are only available once a week or seasonally, so you might need to plan your itinerary carefully to coincide with their schedule.
The Bottom Line
Considering the lie-flat seats, private suites, amenities, and comparatively reasonable fares, Mint is definitely worth considering if your budget can stand it and you’re headed where it’s available. But the limited number of routes may force you to look beyond JetBlue to other airline carriers that offer first-class and business class flights.