For years, there have been rumors of JetBlue possibly opening airport lounges, since that has been a weak point of the JetBlue premium experience. Several months ago, executives at the airline dismissed the possibility of this, and claimed it wasn’t a priority at the moment.
Well, there has been a major shift in plans, as JetBlue has announced that it will in fact open lounges at airports in the coming years.
In this post:
JetBlue plans at least two airport lounges
JetBlue has announced that it plans to open lounges at two airports:
- In late 2025, we’ll see the opening of an 8,000 square foot lounge at New York JFK Terminal 5
- Soon thereafter, we’ll the opening of an 11,000 square foot lounge at Boston Logan Terminal C
There are no renderings of the new lounges yet, and it remains to be seen how exactly they’ll be branded. The lounges are expected to feature the carrier’s typical blue brand elements, weaved together with local and regional artwork, personal touches, and functional amenities. The lounges will be designed around three unique areas (I’m quoting JetBlue here):
- Play: Unwind and socialize as JetBlue brings the ‘fun’ in functionality to the lounge experience while customers can also relax as mixologists shake and stir their favorite complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at a full-service bar
- Work: Stay connected and fully charged with private workspaces featuring fast and free Wi-Fi, an abundance of outlets to plug in and free barista-made coffee bar beverages
- Lounge: Enjoy familiar hospitality with complimentary food and beverage offerings; kick back alone or with groups throughout the lounge in comfortable, cozy seating areas
Here’s what JetBlue President Marty St. George had to say about this development:
“Customers have asked for a JetBlue lounge for years and we can’t wait to unveil our take in New York and Boston. Lounges have become an essential offering for the growing numbers of customers seeking premium experiences, and JetBlue’s lounges will further boost the value of our TrueBlue loyalty program as we expand our portfolio of JetBlue credit cards.”
Who will have access to JetBlue lounges?
So, who will have access to these JetBlue airport lounges, once they open? JetBlue has already revealed the basics of the entry requirements. The lounges will be open to:
- Those traveling in Mint to or from Europe, but not those traveling in Mint within the Americas
- Mosaic 4 members, which is the highest tier of Mosaic elite status that JetBlue has (along with one accompanying guest)
- Those who have a new premium credit card that JetBlue plans to launch in the near future (along with one accompanying guest)
- Those who buy an annual membership, though pricing isn’t yet known; day passes might also be sold, subject to space constraints
I have to say, I’m a bit surprised that other Mint passengers won’t be getting lounge access. Other airlines offer lounge access on premium transcon flights, so you’d think JetBlue would do the same. That being said, I suspect this comes down to the limited size of the lounges, plus the need to monetize these lounges in some form, in order to be able to justify them.
This is a long overdue development by JetBlue
JetBlue is currently undergoing some major changes, in an effort to return to profitability. This includes strategically cutting costs, and even deferring new aircraft. However, I’d say the main focus is on leaning into the carrier’s strengths — JetBlue wants to be a premium leisure airline focused on the East Coast, and the company is strategically positioned for that, given its hubs in Boston and New York.
It’s clear that JetBlue is trying to increasingly compete with Delta from its hubs in the Northeast, and there’s no denying that a lot of premium leisure passengers want lounge access, and use Delta Sky Clubs. Obviously JetBlue wants to create a similar offering for its passengers.
It’s awesome that JetBlue is finally moving this direction, and I’m excited to see what the airline comes up with. This should do a lot to encourage people to fly Mint across the Atlantic, and it should also make many travelers consider loyalty to JetBlue.
I think the only issue here is going to be space constraints. Lounges that are 8,000 to 11,000 square feet aren’t exactly huge, especially in markets where so many people may carry premium credit cards.
Hopefully the next announcement is that JetBlue will introduce first class throughout its fleet, on aircraft that don’t currently have Mint. JetBlue’s management team is moving at impressive speeds here with making changes…
Bottom line
After years of rumors, and even recent denials, JetBlue has finally announced plans to open airport lounges. The carrier’s first lounge should open in New York in late 2025, and then the next lounge should open in Boston shortly thereafter.
If JetBlue wants to compete for premium leisure business, then lounge access is an important perk to offer. JetBlue also plans to introduce a new premium credit card, so that’s another cool development. I’m really impressed by the direction that JetBlue’s new management team is taking the airline, and look forward to learning more.
What do you make of JetBlue’s plans to open airport lounges?
What about the upcoming T6 terminal which will feed directly in T5 (JetBlue terminal). B6 was to use T6 as an interconnect with other Euro airlines. A lounge of only 8k square feet is a bit short sighted considering JFK is your number one hub. Great way to alienate current and future PAX.
More tidbits to appeal to the human trash that are Noo Yawk Yankers and Massholes from their disgusting "hometown airline" that doesn't recognize anything on a coast. Here's a wish for mass food poisoning.
Both of those lounges will be very small compared to other airline lounges in smaller cities for other airlines.
Willy waving on behalf of the disgusting Delta is a new low for you, Timbits.
I agree with some others that this is kinda pointless. Compare JetBlue’s decision making with Alaska’s decision making over the past 15-20 years. One has done a great job positioning themselves with a large following, reliable service, great FF program, etc etc.
JetBlue is the Dunkin Donuts of airlines.
Totally useless with the Chase Lounge serving terminal B and C.
Wonder if the will be replacing the Priority Pass lounge in the BOS C concourse (was The Lounge but looks to be rebranding to The Club in July)? Can’t think of too many other spaces for 11k sq feet (but Chase figured something out so who knows).
So did JetBlue figure out why Airspace lounge closed?
Should be a very good case study of a lounge in T5.
But UA transcon pax don't get lounge access, do they?
EWR/SFO and EWR/LAX business class passengers get regular United Club access (not Polaris) - which is still better than what JetBlue plans to offer
SFO/BOS has been grandfathered in for a while now, though allegedly that may change.
At first, the strategy just sounded like they were modelling an easy coast version of Alaska (not a terrible idea) but to focus solely on their transatlantic flights is super odd. It means really they are only trying compete with premium (Polaris, AA Flagship, etc) lounges and they must not be planning more locations at this time. They need to at minimum establish contract agreements with lounges for the return trips of their transatlantic routes....
At first, the strategy just sounded like they were modelling an easy coast version of Alaska (not a terrible idea) but to focus solely on their transatlantic flights is super odd. It means really they are only trying compete with premium (Polaris, AA Flagship, etc) lounges and they must not be planning more locations at this time. They need to at minimum establish contract agreements with lounges for the return trips of their transatlantic routes. To be fair, if T5 had any lounge, I imagine they would have tried contracting at their hubs first before establishing their own
Great news for the best airline in America!
I wonder if Jetblue lounges will be accessible with Priority Pass. That would be nice.
Based on the published entry requirements, not a chance. It would seriously dilute the value of their upcoming premium CC.
Jetblue AA tie up is next, with the airline merger landscape currently. They need to contain costs with hopefully increasing customer revenue to prevent a tie up in the future.
Will that come with a ticket price increase? Will see time will tell.
Build lounges when the airline is struggling financially, makes a lot of sense. People aren't not choosing Jetblue to fly across the pond because they don't have a lounge lol. People are not choosing Jetblue because of their schedule and pricing, period.
Lounges in this case aren't adding any incremental value. I'd rather see them fly premium only planes across the pond. Their food and service is far superior than the big 3.
Given that many more passengers are accustomed to lounge access, this is overdue. However, if JetBlue is trying to actually compete with Delta and AA long term, they need to let transcon Mint passengers into the lounges. Passengers flying transcon out of JFK have access to Delta One lounges, the AA/BA lounges, Centurion, Sapphire, etc. Glaring omission
According to JetBlue, the aforementioned lounges will not be available to guests of other airlines, even those that work with JetBlue. Overcrowding concerns oblige!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
From what I recall last I took JetBlue from JFK, besides Cape Air at JFK T5, JetBlue is the only occupant of JFK T5 so their other partner airlines likely have their own lounges or partner lounges in their respective JFK terminals.
I am sitting in JFK T5 as I write. How is there only 8000 square feet? There is an upper level above the whole main food court and checkin area. Has to be bigger. Or are they choosing to have a crowded lounge?
Another attempt at lipstick on a pig. What a garbage airline.
I never understand people spending thousands on a B6 flight when there are real airlines with proper products and full service experiences out there.
Why spend $3k on LCC B6 JFK-LAX mint roundtrip where there's no lounge, old seats, and awful reliability, when you can spend that on AA F, get access to the Chelsea lounge, have a nice meal with true premium champagnes? People amaze me.
I'm AA EP, so I love AA, but your comments above about B6 are inaccurate. Mint is the best way to fly premium transcon. The food and service simply are better than any other carrier. The pricing is usually $2K roundtrip, not $3K. Finally, as to reliability, transcon is virtually immune from this. B6's reliability issues relate to shorter, east coast trips, not transcon. In all my years of flying B6 transcon -- which I...
I'm AA EP, so I love AA, but your comments above about B6 are inaccurate. Mint is the best way to fly premium transcon. The food and service simply are better than any other carrier. The pricing is usually $2K roundtrip, not $3K. Finally, as to reliability, transcon is virtually immune from this. B6's reliability issues relate to shorter, east coast trips, not transcon. In all my years of flying B6 transcon -- which I do many times a year -- I've had literally only one B6 transcon delayed and none cancelled. Reliability simply isn't an issue for transcons, although I know it can be for other shorter east coast flights.
Mint is shint.
B6 will be bankrupt before the Lounges open.
Disappointing that transcon pax will be left out. Despite opening these lounges, B6 will still lag behind the competition. Doesn't move the needle that much.
Blue bsaic no longer has same day switch and even more space for Mosaic, such an useless royalty program!
If you are flying a basic economy ticket, you shouldn't expect the perks of a full fare ticket. The change seems fair.
A bit disappointing that transcon Mint doesn’t get access (since similar tickets do on DL, UA and AA), but I get that capacity constraints are a big consideration given the size of the lounges
My guess is that in addition to size, the fact that B6 runs Mint routes to the Caribbean from JFK and BOS (not just trans-cons) meant they just decided to do a blanket trans-atlantic only policy to keep things simple.
Great news. Wondering how long this has been in development.