US carrier JetBlue is to launch a new fully flat business class seat next year, which will be fitted to new A321 aircraft serving transcontinental routes from New York JFK to LA and San Francisco.
The Mint seat, which the airline says will offer the longest fully flat bed in domestic business class at 80 inches, features a seat width of “up to 22.3 inches”, adjustable air cushions, a 15-inch TV screen, storage space for shoes, and a dual power outlet with two USB ports.
Four of the 16 premium seats will also feature sliding doors, creating what JetBlue says are “the only private suites with closing doors in the American market”.
Mint passengers will receive customised male or female amenity kits, a pre-departure drink, followed by a cocktail and amuse bouche after take-off, and an onboard menu created by New York restaurant Saxon and Parole.
JetBlue has released tickets for the new Mint product for US$499 each way on the carrier’s New York to LA service, valid for travel between June 15, 2014 (the launch date of the new seat) and June 18 (the last day of JetBlue’s current schedule). Thereafter prices will start at US$599 one-way.
The carrier is also updating its economy offering on the new A321 aircraft, with larger 10.1-inch TV screens, drink holders, in-seat power, and a slimmer seat design which it says will offer “even more living space and the most legroom in economy” (based on the average seat-wide seat pitch of US airlines).
All passengers will also benefit from free “basic internet for browsing, emailing, social networking, and other low-bandwidth activities”, with the option to upgrade to an enhanced connection for streaming and downloading.
JetBlue says that by the fourth quarter of 2014, all seven daily flights between New York and LA will feature the new seat, with the carrier’s five rotations between New York and San Francisco offering the product by the end of the first quarter of 2015.
In August this year JetBlue signed an interline agreement with British Airways, connecting their networks on the US east coast (see news August 15).
jetblue.com.
Mark Caswell
Mint passengers will receive customised male or female amenity kits, a pre-departure drink, followed by a cocktail and amuse bouche after take-off, and an onboard menu created by New York restaurant Saxon and Parole.
JetBlue has released tickets for the new Mint product for US$499 each way on the carrier’s New York to LA service, valid for travel between June 15, 2014 (the launch date of the new seat) and June 18 (the last day of JetBlue’s current schedule). Thereafter prices will start at US$599 one-way.
The carrier is also updating its economy offering on the new A321 aircraft, with larger 10.1-inch TV screens, drink holders, in-seat power, and a slimmer seat design which it says will offer “even more living space and the most legroom in economy” (based on the average seat-wide seat pitch of US airlines).
All passengers will also benefit from free “basic internet for browsing, emailing, social networking, and other low-bandwidth activities”, with the option to upgrade to an enhanced connection for streaming and downloading.
JetBlue says that by the fourth quarter of 2014, all seven daily flights between New York and LA will feature the new seat, with the carrier’s five rotations between New York and San Francisco offering the product by the end of the first quarter of 2015.
In August this year JetBlue signed an interline agreement with British Airways, connecting their networks on the US east coast (see news August 15).
jetblue.com.
Mark Caswell 
