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When airlines release new products my hands get sweaty and the old ticker starts to race. Not only did JetBlue throw doors on every single Mint Suite, but they introduced a completely new configuration called the Mint Studio. Sure, these will roll out on JetBlue’s new London routes later this year, but they also told us a version will fly from LAX to JFK starting in June!
Say what?! Where do I book?
Let’s fanboy out and take a look at what could be the best way to fly from coast to coast, and be a true transatlantic competitor to the big 3. Full presser hereHere’s the JetBlue Promo video. It highlights the Mint cabin, but multiple IFC have told me that an economy cabin will be aboard these planes as well.
Let’s take a look at the JetBlue Mint Studio
Up until this product launch I would have argued that the best way to fly from coast to coast was on in row 2 or 4 on JetBlue to have the doors, AA First Class on the A321T, one of the new United Polaris Dreamliners, or perhaps a widebody Delta flight with the new Delta One. This sets a new standard and even features a guest seat so someone could dine or hang out with you. Fa-reaking cool.
Here’s what JetBlue has to say about it:
The all-new Mint Studio – conceptualized by Acumen and developed in partnership with AIM Altitude – is JetBlue’s latest game-changing innovation, offering the most space in a premium experience from any U.S. airline. Each aircraft will have two Mint Studios in the first row, providing ample room for working or relaxing, and featuring a 22-inch tilting Thales AVANT seatback screen, an extra side table for added productivity, and a guest seat that can accommodate an additional Mint customer during flight at cruising altitude. When reclined, customers can kick back and relax on the largest lie-flat bed of any U.S. carrier
I mean look at the size of this thing.
- First row on either side of these configured planes will feature the Mint Studio
- 22 in tilting tv
- It will have to be stowed during take off and landing which could be annoying
- Extra side table
- A guest seat for dining
Pretty incredible amount of room when converted into a bed
The new JetBlue Mint Suites aren’t too shabby
Two things I think are musts for business class
- All Aisle Access
- Lie Flat bed
Not only do they tick those boxes, but every single suite has a door.
If you’ve ever flown business on Air New Zealand or the old Virgin Upper Class, it’s a similar setup called herringbone. Head to the inside with your feet out. Personally, this is not my favorite configuration because it leaves you facing everyone walking past, but these have doors. Every single one of them. That should eliminate most of the privacy issues while putting you furthest from the aisle – social distancing anyone?
Jet Blue used Tuft and Needle to design their seat
I personally haven’t used Tuft and Needle, but I’m excited to try out this technology and see if it really does make a more comfortable experience. Here’s what JetBlue had to say
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Our proprietary seat design is truly a bed in the sky: JetBlue tapped Tuft & Needle, the innovative mattress company that pioneered the bed-in-a-box trend, to shape the entire Mint sleep experience onboard. Engineered for comfort, every Mint seat is layered with Tuft & Needle’s proprietary T&N Adaptive® foam and a breathable cover to create a cool and comfortable sleep experience unlike anything in the sky. The seat complements additional sleep amenities developed in partnership with the brand, including a convertible blanket with a built-in foot pocket, a memory foam lined pillow with a pillowcase, and a snooze kit with a matching eye mask and earplugs.
Added luxurious touches to the Vantage Solo seat
- Flannel covered privacy dividers
- Woodgrain table patterns
- vegan leather seats and headrests
Overall:
I can’t wait to try the new JetBlue Mint Suite and JetBlue Studio out. I love the color palette they chose and I’m eager to see how private it feels in the herringbone layout as well as the comfort level of the new bed. Part of me thinks it looks a bit narrow compared to the Cirrus and Super Diamond reverse herringbone seats featured on the likes of Cathay and AA, but that’s what a review is for!
The fact that product will be on planes that fly coast to coast is incredible and puts some big time pressure on the big 3. Great job JetBlue
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
60k Points after $4k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 60k points after $4k spend in 3 months
- Worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ and way more if you maximize transfer partners
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
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