JetBlue has always been good at the “core” of their business, by offering an exceptional domestic economy product.
JetBlue A320 economy
But in 2014 JetBlue expanded that with the introduction of Mint Class on select Airbus A321 aircraft. These are used primarily for flights between New York and Los Angeles/San Francisco, and on them JetBlue offers a truly competitive product.
JetBlue A321 Mint
There are 12 Mint Class seats, spread across four rows — two rows have four seats per row, while two rows have just two seats per row, with fully enclosed “suites.” Arguably JetBlue offers a better product than what’s offered by the legacy airlines operating in the market.
But perhaps the best effect of JetBlue Mint wasn’t even the product as such, but what it has done to pricing in the market. JetBlue priced Mint Class starting at just $599 one way, which was cheaper than what the other carriers in the market previously charged. Other airlines were forced to compete, so JetBlue’s cheap Mint Class pricing drove down prices in the market across the board. United even exited the transcon market out of JFK, instead switching those flights to Newark.
Around the middle of last year JetBlue announced that as of 2016 they’re expanding Mint to transcon flights out of Boston as well. While no airline presently offers regularly scheduled flat beds on transcons out of Boston, JetBlue figured they might as well be the first, given what a high yield market it is.
As an update, JetBlue Mint Class is now bookable out of Boston. Via airlineroute.net, JetBlue will launch Mint Class flights between Boston and San Francisco as of March 24, 2016, on the following frequency:
B6133 Boston to San Francisco departing 8:10AM arriving 11:43AM
B6534 San Francisco to Boston departing 12:55PM arriving 9:39PM
Then Mint Class service will be expanded to a second daily frequency as of April 20, 2016:
B61833 Boston to San Francisco departing 10:40AM arriving 2:10PM
B6834 San Francisco to Boston departing 9:20PM arriving 6:04AM
Then Mint Class service will be expanded to a third daily frequency as of September 20, 2016:
B6833 Boston to San Francisco departing 7:50PM arriving 11:24PM
B6434 San Francisco to Boston departing 7:24AM arriving 4:09PM
It’s interesting that JetBlue is introducing JetBlue’s Mint flights out of Boston will be to San Francisco before Los Angeles, as Boston to Los Angeles will see a plane with Mint Class start on October 20, 2016.
JetBlue’s Mint Class pricing out of Boston is similar to the pricing out of New York — it starts at just $599 one-way.
Bottom line
JetBlue’s Mint Class is one of the best things to happen to the premium transcontinental market, based on the degree to which it has driven down fares. JetBlue’s pricing is fantastic, and the product seems to be top notch. I’m hoping to give them a try soon, finally.
JetBlue A321 Mint
To those who travel to/from Boston, do you plan on giving JetBlue’s Mint a try?
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