JetBlue is taking premium flying to a new level with the introduction of its exclusive Mint seating for long-distance flights.
The redesigned seating areas, first introduced in 2014, will accommodate up to 24 passengers on select flights. The date when the new planes will go into service has not been announced, but they are expected to be available when JetBlue begins New York-to-London service this summer.
The airline will also use a 16-seat version on some coast-to-coast routes, as well as others to the Caribbean and Latin America destinations.
“We put our heart into this redesign of Mint and were inspired by our original vision of offering customers an exceptional experience at a lower fare,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.
So what will travelers find when booking a future Mint seat?
Each Mint suite will have direct aisle access, a sliding door for privacy, and a seat that reclines to a completely flat position for those wanting to sleep. The foam cushions were designed by Tuft and Needle, and passengers will have access to a blanket and a memory foam pillow.
Each suite will include a 17-inch television, power outlets, wireless charging, customizable lighting, and storage nooks for laptops, shoes, and other items for easy in-flight access.
The two front-row suites are even fancier, with 22-inch televisions, the largest bed on any U.S. airline, a mirrored vanity, and a seat and table for passengers who need to work.
“Mint was an idea to make premium travel across the U.S. less stuffy and more affordable, and its performance has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations,” Geraghty said.
The Mint experience will go beyond the seating and storage upgrades. It will include amenities to enhance the travel experience, the airline said.
- Food will come from New York restaurants like Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones, and Legacy Records, offering rotating small plates and dessert.
- An open bar will include a curated wine list and cocktails shaken on board. Cocktail options will come from Ada’s Place, the New York lounge.
- Custom headphones, wellness kits and snacks from New York’s Hu are also available to all passengers.
Passengers booked on Mint seats will also have a better experience in the airport, the airline claims. Passengers will have a dedicated check-in queue, expedited security lane, priority boarding, and preferred bag claim.
How much this experience will cost is yet to be announced. Since actual Mint flights have not been finalized, fares are not available on the JetBlue website.
JetBlue recently made AirlineRankings.com’s list of top COVID-compliant airlines and top low-cost airlines. Here’s more on AirlineRankings.com’s 2021 rankings.
