JetBlue announced a new fare structure ahead of the launch of its upcoming domestic first class seats.
The airline will offer four seating types, according to a July 27 news release:
- Main: JetBlue’s renamed “signature onboard experience”
- EvenMore: The airline’s premium-economy seats with additional legroom, early boarding and other perks
- BlueFirst: The official name of the airline’s new domestic first-class experience
- Mint: The airline’s premium lie-flat seating option
Passengers can choose between three fare types within those categories. Base is the most restrictive and excludes seat selection – though it will not be sold for Mint bookings – while Standard allows customers to choose seats and has no change fees. Flex, meanwhile, includes seat selection, has no change fees and gives passengers refunds rather than travel credit for eligible cancellations.
“With the introduction of BlueFirst and our recently improved EvenMore experience, we want to make sure customers can easily find the JetBlue experiences they are looking for,”
JetBlue president Marty St. George said in the release. “In two simple clicks, customers will be able to book what’s right for them. First, the onboard experience, and then the fare option depending on their preferences around seat selection and refundability.”
The changes will begin rolling out in the “coming days,” and BlueFirst will launch later this year, according to the release, though JetBlue did not share exact dates. Travelers can find a full breakdown of the fare types on the airline’s website.
Consumer choice and flexibility are levers that airlines are pulling to drive stronger revenue performance.
Southwest Airlines noted that expanding its basic economy product led to more base-fare sales and a higher rate of customers trading up when they had the option. Delta Air Lines said last month that it will offer basic fares across all premium cabins to allow travelers to access premium products at a lower cost.
Contributing: Reuters
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JetBlue overhauls fare structure ahead of first class seating launch
