JetBlue Unveils BlueFirst Domestic First Class Experience
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JetBlue has unveiled BlueFirst, a new domestic First Class experience that will bring larger seats, upgraded in-flight entertainment (IFE), seatback ordering, and expanded food and beverage options to its network. The airline will open bookings this fall, with the first BlueFirst-equipped aircraft entering service later this year. JetBlue plans to offer BlueFirst on routes that do not currently have access to its Mint product, bringing a premium option to more of its domestic network.
BlueFirst Brings More Space and Technology Onboard
BlueFirst will introduce specially designed seats arranged in a two-by-two configuration, giving passengers up to seven inches of additional legroom compared with JetBlue’s Main cabin seats, for a total of up to 37 inches of pitch, along with up to five inches of recline.
With JetBlue placing seat comfort at the center of the new product, the airline worked with Tuft & Needle to develop its seats using T&N Flex foam, designed to provide added support and pressure relief throughout the flight. “Customers told us loud and clear that comfort matters most, so that’s where we started. We worked with Tuft & Needle to create an added level of comfort that makes BlueFirst feel different from the moment you sit down,” said JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty.
BlueFirst seats will feature 13.3-inch seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing passengers to connect their own wireless headphones. The screens will also include the latest version of Blueprint by JetBlue, the airline’s personalized inflight experience platform. Each seat will include USB-A, USB-C and 110VAC power, while complimentary Fly-Fi will provide gate-to-gate connectivity. On red-eye flights, BlueFirst passengers will also receive a blanket and snooze kit.
“Domestic first class has become easy to predict. We think it’s time for a fresh take,” Geraghty said. “Customers are increasingly looking for more premium experiences, and BlueFirst gives them an elevated experience that feels distinctly JetBlue, with thoughtful touches, caring service and great value. It’s another way we’re bringing our JetForward strategy to life and giving customers more reasons to choose JetBlue.”
BlueFirst will also use technology to make JetBlue’s inflight service more personal and convenient. Through Blueprint by JetBlue, passengers will be able to order meals, drinks and other onboard products directly from their seatback screens. The system will also feature “Mixologist Mode,” allowing passengers to create a custom cocktail by choosing their spirit, mixer and flavorings before sending the order directly to an inflight crew member.
“Domestic first class has become easy to predict. We think it’s time for a fresh take.”
– Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue
JetBlue Expands Its Premium Experience
JetBlue will pair BlueFirst’s new seating and technology with an updated food and beverage program called FirstFare. On flights of 899 miles or longer, the airline will serve meals in custom bento-inspired boxes that include an entrée, side and dessert.
Meal choices will include options such as sweet or savory crepes and sesame noodles with beef or tofu. BlueFirst passengers will also receive rotating premium snacks from brands including Sockerbit, Tosi, Wholesome Bakery, Pop Daddy Snacks and Cape Cod Chips, with selections varying by route and flight.
All the meals will be complemented with sommelier-selected wines from New York-based Parcelle, specialty coffee from Cometeer and Joe Coffee, and teas from Smith Teamaker. Fable glassware and coasters created with New York City illustrator Danielle Rose Fisher will round out the onboard presentation.
“Traditional first-class food and beverage can feel stuck in the past. BlueFirst is our way of refreshing the experience for today’s traveler,” Geraghty said. “From creating your own cocktail and ordering right from your seatback screen, to a thoughtfully crafted seat that offers responsive comfort, we’re making the experience more personal, modern and fun. Premium should feel special, not stuffy.”
The BlueFirst experience will also extend beyond the aircraft. BlueFirst passengers will receive Group 1 boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, priority check-in and access to expedited security lanes at more than 30 airports. BlueFirst and BlueFirst Flex fares will also include two free checked bags, priority baggage delivery and no change or cancellation fees.
BlueFirst represents the latest step in JetBlue’s JetForward strategy, under which the carrier recently opened its second BlueHouse lounge in Boston, following the debut of the concept at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The new product will complement JetBlue’s existing Mint experience, giving the airline two distinct premium offerings. Mint will continue to serve select transcontinental and transatlantic routes, while BlueFirst will bring a dedicated First Class cabin to more of JetBlue’s domestic network.