JetBlue Airways’ fare classes will look much different by the end of the year. The airline is adding new domestic first class seats to some airplanes and plans to sell “basic” versions of domestic first class and extra-legroom fares. In total, customers will choose from four different types of seats and three different fare classes.
Details for the rollout are still limited, but here’s what we know so far, plus how they’ll affect your JetBlue experience.
JetBlue BlueFirst brings a much-needed revamp
Starting later this year, JetBlue will begin its rollout of BlueFirst, a domestic first class experience similar to what you’d find on United or the other full-service U.S. airlines.
🤓Nerdy Tip
JetBlue will add BlueFirst to its planes that do not have Mint. BlueFirst is not a replacement for Mint, but it is a separate offering on routes that don’t offer Mint.
JetBlue expands basic fare options
Prior to BlueFirst’s official debut, JetBlue will start selling more stripped-down, basic economy-style fares across almost all of its cabins, with Mint being the lone exception.
Now whenever you purchase a ticket from JetBlue, you’ll need to choose your fare type: base, standard or flex. This will apply to all cabins, except for Mint, which will only have standard and flex options.
In exchange for a cheaper ticket, passengers on a base fare will have the following restrictions:
No complimentary seat selection.
No complimentary changes or cancellations.
Lower points earning rate (1 point per $1 spent).
Meanwhile, standard and flex fares get complimentary seat selection and the ability to change or cancel a ticket with no fees. They also earn 3 points per $1 spent on airfare. The priciest flex fares also get complimentary same-day switches and standby, as well as a full refund to the original method of payment when canceling flights.
Why JetBlue’s BlueFirst matters for travelers
Top photo courtesy of JetBlue.
How to maximize your rewards
About the author
Benjamin Din is a lead travel writer at NerdWallet. He previously was a technology reporter at Politico, where he authored a daily newsletter covering tech and telecom policy.
Benjamin loves to travel — both for work and for fun. He’s reported from three continents and visited more than 55 countries. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle and The (Johannesburg) Star, as well as covered two Olympics with NBC Sports.
His goal is to visit a new country and a new state each year.
