Airport lounges evolve as demand for luxury travel grows
More travelers seek premium airport lounges, pushing operators to offer better food, seating, and amenities for a luxury experience.
- JetBlue will introduce a domestic-style first class product on some aircraft starting in 2026.
- The airline’s current premium offering, Mint, features lie-flat seats but is only available on select routes.
- JetBlue recently revamped its “EvenMore” ticket bundle to include perks like extra legroom and priority services.
JetBlue, which currently offers its highest-end Mint service with lie-flat seats on select long-haul routes, plans to introduce a domestic first class–style product on aircraft that do not have Mint beginning in 2026.
While the airline is yet to release details, CEO Joanna Geraghty told The Wall Street Journal the seats would be in the style of traditional first-class seats.
But do Mint aircraft count as first class? It depends on how travelers define it.
JetBlue doesn’t have “first class” in the traditional sense, but the airline says its premium offerings are designed to cover much of that territory.
The New York-based carrier officially rolled out its revamped EvenMore ticket bundle across its network earlier this year, expanding perks beyond extra legroom as airlines compete more aggressively for higher-spending leisure travelers.
JetBlue President Marty St. George said in a statement that customers are increasingly looking for “unique experiences,” and the airline is responding by packaging comfort, priority services and amenities into a more elevated option without abandoning its low-cost roots.
The EvenMore bundle includes extra-legroom seating, early boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, priority security access at select airports, premium snacks, free headphones on request, and up to three complimentary alcoholic drinks. JetBlue has long sold extra-legroom seats, but the new branding formally bundles those perks into one premium product.
What’s JetBlue’s current premium option?
Travelers searching for first class may already be familiar with JetBlue Mint, the airline’s top-tier offering on select routes.
Mint, available on all transatlantic flights and certain coast-to-coast routes, features lie-flat seats or private suites with direct aisle access, large seatback screens, premium dining and cocktails, amenity kits and priority airport services. The front-row Mint Studio includes extra space, a guest seat and the largest TV currently offered on a U.S. airline, according to JetBlue.
While Mint delivers many hallmarks of international business class — including fully flat beds and curated meals — it’s not available across JetBlue’s entire network.
JetBlue’s approach mirrors a broader industry trend. Carriers like Spirit and Frontier have also rolled out premium bundles and are testing first-class-style seating on select aircraft, betting that travelers will pay more for comfort even on shorter flights.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
