Domestic flying is dynamic. Airlines have cut costs, amenities, and worker compensation over the years. More people are flying than ever before and even with inflation, it’s cheaper to fly today than yesteryear. Yet despite this, airlines are the most profitable that they’ve ever been. With more people flying in tighter quarters, it’s shocking that flying can be comfortable. In economy seats are slimmer, free meals are gone on 99% of the routes, and it seems like everything cost extra.
We can attribute the unbundling culture to Ultra Low Cost Carriers for spreading their ways to the legacy majors. Shockingly though, Low Cost Hybrid Carrier JetBlue is breaking the mold and re-imaging flying. With lux low cost carrier Virgin America out of their way, JetBlue is innovating and creating the best inflight experience.
JetBlue Mint is the newest business class option in the domestic market. Following the leads of other airlines, JetBlue is breaking into the lay flat seat and private suites transcon market. JetBlue Mint is not new. In fact, JetBlue started offering transcontinental business class flights in June 2014. Initially JetBlue Mint was only available between New York and San Francisco or Los Angeles. The service was so popular that expansion continued to select Caribbean destinations and then to and from Boston and the West Coast. Now, JetBlue is making their largest push ever with more Mint flights to and from the West Coast.
Seattle Gets Jetblue Mint
JetBlue Mint service to and from Seattle begin in March 2018. Initial flights were only between Seattle and Boston, but service has expanded to New York. Mint service is available 2-3x daily to Boston on A321 equipped aircraft. Each plane has 16 business class seats, 4 which are personal mint suites with sliding doors. The 4 mint passengers with suites have a lie flat seat with slightly more privacy with no upcharge on these cross country flights.
When I flew between Boston and Seattle, JetBlue Mint was only $399 one way! The flight was honestly almost as cheap as an economy class ticket at the last minute. For this price, not upgrading to Mint would have been stupid. Looking for a flight tomorrow (April 20, 2018) walk up fares are still as low as $399!
The JetBlue Mint seat is Mintastic! Taking it back to my roots, a true doublewide delight! Anyone on a budget can feel like a baller flying JetBlue Mint. Even the rich will be comfortable! And for $399 nearly everyone can splurge for luxury or cash in those credit card points.
JetBlue Mint Private Suites
Kick back and relax because JetBlue Mint offers the largest throne in North America. Each seat becomes a 6’8” bed. The seat even has a massage function and adjustable lumbar support. The bed will never be too soft or firm for Goldilocks, as the firmness is adjustable. Ahh, that’s just right! Thanks, JetBlue Mint!
Need some privacy? Choose one of the suites and close your door. Actually don’t even worry about it, because once you hit 10,000 feet a flight attendant will do it for you! The door sits about 5 inches off the ground and extends to the top of the seat back. The FA can serve you food and drinks over the door. Yet,it does provide some privacy from the eye level of others while sitting.
If you’re in a love seat, aka those seats that are 2×2, there really is no privacy. I didn’t even see a privacy divider. So if you don’t like your neighbor or you are fighting with your significant other, oh well! You’re going to see them for the next 4-6 hours!
The good news is, even if you are stuck in a love seat with a stranger, there’s plenty of ways to be distracted. Each bed, or seat offers a large 15″ touchscreen TV. Enjoy the latest on-demand movies, Tv shows, live tv or XM radio. Hand-crafted SR60e noise isolating headphones from Grado Labs in Brooklyn will transform your Mint seat into an inflight theater. Yet in my case, I stuck with my Bose. Still not satisfied? Get lost in the interwebs with JetBlue’s Fly-Fi, aka free wifi!
If all else fails follow these simple steps. First, take out your amenity kit. Second, beauty yourself up with the Hudson made lotions, sprays, and lip balm. Next, apply the eye mask and ear plugs. Finally rest up! There’s socks and a toothbrush for fresh breath in the morning too!
Storage around the Mint suites are plentiful with storage by your feet, under the TV and around the seat. The love seats only have the mesh storage under the TV and the overhead bins. The suites also have three powerplugs. This version of the mint studio does not have wireless charging. You can find this on the newer version of Mint flying between the East Coast and London and Paris.
JetBlue Mint Meal
When I think of a Mint, I tend to think of a tic-tac or altoid. Something small and refreshing that makes my mouth feel better. JetBlue’s Mint dinner is similar. The meal is modest but tasty and offers a rotating menu that is chef inspired and tasty! Anyone heard of Saxon + Parole? Because they make a large portion of the menu. Check out the entire menu.
Do you want a choice between chicken or Beef? Splurge and try them all, you get to choose 3 of the 5 options. Despite the smaller portions, I was still stuffed after my meal! The food and beverage of Jetblue is topshelf.
Dinner finishes with local ice cream and about 1 hour before landing Flight Attendants offer fresh fruit and other snacks. The flight ends with a cookie!
JetBlue Mint Alcohol
We all know flying while sober is not the same. Why fly in the forward cabin if you cannot indulge?! For this reason exactly JetBlue has a wine sommelier that has refined taste. Unlike most domestic carriers offering 2 buck chuck or $7.99 discount wine, JetBlue is flashy with fine wines from around the world. Most bottles on Jetblue average close to $25! The most expensive was a 2014 Bethel heights Estate Pinot Noir for $34 average price per bottle per vivino! And to think you’re flying domestic!
If you’re not a wine-0, no whining, because there’s a good selection of booze and beer. Choose from micro brews from around the nation or splurge with a spirit. There’s no lack of booze. Bulleit Bourbon to Grey Goose, Mint has it covered. Flight Attendants casually stroll the aisles every 15-20 minutes to ensure guests are comfortable. If you need a refill, just ask!
Minty Thoughts
JetBlue Mint is revolutionary! Although a lay flat seat coast to coast is nothing new, the JetBlue product offering is! To think a low-cost carrier can offer a luxury item as 1/3 of the price is unspeakable! Flight attendants on Mint flights still seem excited for the product. My welcome included a Mint-aid with vodka and a seat tour by the lead flight attendant Meg. Meg also went over the menu and told me all about her favorite dishes, drinks, and features of the seat. Her excitement was refreshing and conversation zestful!
I also found the flight attendants to be crafty! For example, my flight did not have the correct menu’s catered. Instead of just reading the menu to guests, gate agents went online and printed the menu. Although the menu was not the same quality as usual, it allowed each person to have their own menu! Customer service to the mint degree! I cannot imagine Delta doing this…
JetBlue Mint is my new favorite business product. If I could fly Mint every time I would. The only issue, there’s no upgrades to Mint. One must BUY-UP, sound familiar? If so, you probably have flown Virgin America, where even elites cannot enjoy first class for free. This keeps the product exclusive and reserved for those paying. On my flight only 5 of 16 seats were full, the rest, empty! Will Mint last, I hope so, because the flight was truly Mintalicious!
