First-class is coming to JetBlue later this year. Within the next few months, the airline plans to debut domestic-style, first-class recliners on many of its planes. Eventually, you’ll see those new seats on all JetBlue aircraft that don’t already have the airline’s high-end Mint cabin. JetBlue hasn’t said exactly when you’ll start seeing those first-class seats appear — just that they’ll start to debut by the end of 2026. But the carrier is confirming the much-anticipated name for the new first-class cabin: BlueFirst. It’s a very on-brand name for the carrier’s new seats, an ode to both the airline’s signature color and its loyalty program (TrueBlue). More significantly, the seats should be a welcome addition to the front of its planes, giving the airline a true premium seating option between its coach and lie-flat Mint cabins. More New York City flights coming: JetBlue wins Spirit’s slots at LaGuardia
What will the seats and service be like? And will BlueFirst have the same top-notch food that’s a hallmark of its upper-tier Mint cabin?
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We’ll have to wait and see, but the New York-based carrier is promising a “fresh new take” on first-class. Expect to hear more in the coming months about what that will mean for travelers. Read more: JetBlue’s first-ever lounge makes JFK debut
JetBlue expands ‘basic’ to more cabins
In the meantime, JetBlue will become the latest U.S. airline to lean more heavily into “basic” fares. The carrier on Monday revealed it plans to sell basic first-class tickets as part of the new cabin, which will have tighter restrictions than a standard ticket: These passengers cannot select their seats and will be subject to change and cancellation fees. They will earn fewer points than they would on a standard ticket. Basic extra legroom (EvenMore) fares are also on the way. It’s basically an expansion of the basic economy concept to the front of the plane. JetBlue is following in the footsteps of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. In recent months, the two legacy carriers have begun selling basic versions of their premium seats, expanding the “unbundled” fare concept to more cabins. Going forward, JetBlue will sell tickets in four cabins:
| Cabin | Details |
|---|---|
| JetBlue’s economy seats (previously labeled coach “Core,” but that moniker is going away) | Extra legroom |
| Domestic first-class, which will soon debut on planes that don’t have Mint | JetBlue’s lie-flat business-class product available on certain aircraft |
Within those cabins, it’ll sell three fare types:
- Base: think basic fare
- Standard: a regular fare for that cabin, essentially
- Flex: a fully refundable fare, which costs a little more
One exception? There won’t be a base offering in Mint, meaning JetBlue won’t sell “basic business” as Delta and United do now. Deep dive: Basic economy and the ‘evolution’ that’s sweeping over airlines’ cheapest fares
Understanding JetBlue’s New Ticket Options
JetBlue recently introduced new fare types that offer passengers more choices when booking their flights. These ticket options, ranging from Base to Flex fares, come with varying levels of flexibility and benefits. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a breakdown of JetBlue’s new ticket types and the key differences between them.
| Cabin | “Base” Fare Class (Basic) | Standard Fare Class | “Flex” Fare Class (Refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Base
EvenMore Base BlueFirst Base Note: No base Mint fares |
Main
EvenMore BlueFirst Mint |
Main Flex
EvenMore Flex BlueFirst Flex Mint Flex |
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Not included |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
No |
No |
|
|
Travel credit |
Travel credit |
Full refund to the original form of payment |
|
|
1 point per dollar |
3 points per dollar |
3 points per dollar |
JetBlue has also rebranded its basic economy fare to “Main Basic” and made changes to lounge access for certain fare classes. Passengers flying Main Base and EvenMore Base will no longer have access to JetBlue’s BlueHouse lounge network when booking a Main Basic fare, even with the airline’s premium credit card.
Expanding Fare Options Across Cabins
JetBlue’s introduction of new fare types reflects a broader trend in the airline industry towards offering passengers more choices and flexibility when booking flights. Whether you prioritize affordability or added benefits, these new ticket options cater to a range of preferences.
JetBlue President Marty St. George emphasized the ease of booking with the new fare types, stating, “In two simple clicks, customers will be able to book what’s right for them based on their preferences around seat selection and refundability.”
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Transformed: “Running late for the meeting, she is.”
