Jet Blue newbie- what to expect?

[MarBee]

Hello!

I’m toying with the idea of flying Jet Blue for the first time for a Spring Break flight since airfare is (expectedly) high everywhere. They do not offer direct flights out of my home airport (PHL), so we’d have a layover in Boston.
I can use some Chase Ultimate Reward points to transfer to the Jet Blue point system, and they offer two tiers of flights: Blue and Blue Extra for 4,000 more points a person.
I’m just wondering what to expect on Jet Blue. I’ve flown other budget carriers (Southwest and Frontier). Wondering how they compare.

I’d preferably not like to but any bags and just pack school bags to put under the seat in front of me. I wasn’t sure how Jet Blue handled personal items.

Also, is it worth the upgrade to Blue Extra? How likely am I to be seated with my children?

Thanks in advance for any help, insight, and advice you may have!

 

[Meglen]

Jet blue uses select seats. So when you purchase you pick what seats you want. Thus sitting with your kids 100%. Blue extra just lets you check a bag I believe. So that's ok you. I think you mean "even more speed/space". Worth every penny for me. But I only purchase it when it's just me and my husband due to the cost.

The extra leg room was amazing. The speed section is usually a wash because not alot fo airports use that lane. But you do get to board first and make sure your carry one don't have to be checked.

 

[ClapYourHands]

If you purchase Blue or Blue extra, you will be allowed to choose your seats when you purchase your tickets. Only Blue Basic charges for them. At any level, you are allowed to bring a personal item (fits under the seat) and a traditional carry on (can be a suitcase) that fits in the overhead compartments at no additional charge. At all levels, you pay for checked bags only.

Jet Blue has complimentary beverages and snacks in flight. Usually just a bag of cookies or chips, but they won't nickel and dime you like Frontier.

Jet Blue has individual entrainment consoles on the back of the seats in front of you, with a pretty decent selection of inflight entertainment.

 

[ClapYourHands]

If you are traveling with young children, you will likely be offered complimentary family boarding after the "even more room" passengers, but before general boarding. Since seats are assigned, unlike Southwest, this isn't really a perk in terms of getting a better seat, but it does allow you to get settled and claim overhead bin space.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I would say that Jet Blue is on par with Southwest, and above the ultra low cost carriers like Frontier.

This trip, I'm flying down on Southwest and back on Jet Blue to maximize savings and optimize park time. My last two Florida trips have been Jet Blue round trip, and I've been happy with my experiences.

Jet Blue is based out of New York. I don't know where near Philly you're located, but it might be worth your while to make the trek north for a direct flight from JFK.

 

[rg35]

Jet Blue has not really been a budget carrier for a long time, despite billing themselves as such when they first launched. Their fares are usually not less than premium carriers as Delta, American, etc., and their amenities are more on par with top domestic carriers.

 

[MarBee]

Thanks everyone! Doesn’t seem too bad! I am thinking I will hold out for a couple weeks to see if anything direct hits a sale and then go with Jet Blue if not. I’ll probably go “Blue” level because I can sit with the kids, get a carry on, and I’m not too worry about the extra comfy seats for the short trip. Thanks again!

 

[ClapYourHands]

Thanks everyone! Doesn’t seem too bad! I am thinking I will hold out for a couple weeks to see if anything direct hits a sale and then go with Jet Blue if not. I’ll probably go “Blue” level because I can sit with the kids, get a carry on, and I’m not too worry about the extra comfy seats for the short trip. Thanks again!

Just so you know, if you go with a Blue Basic you can opt to pay for seat assignments, and you still get the carry on. They started at $5 each when I booked my flight (Hartford to MCO). Much less than the cost to upgrade to Blue.

 

[Meglen]

Just so you know, if you go with a Blue Basic you can opt to pay for seat assignments, and you still get the carry on. They started at $5 each when I booked my flight (Hartford to MCO). Much less than the cost to upgrade to Blue.

love that jetblue always does direct to MCO from Bradley. Hello CT neighbor

 

[tellingson]

We love JetBlue because the snacks are way better than any other airline we have flown domestically, and don't blink twice if you want 2 of something. They have assigned seats, and the staff seem friendlier. We also love that they board back to front because it just makes everything go smoother.

 

[n2mm]

We always fly Jetblue and used their value tier this time Fir my June trip. I paid for my seat assignment, traveling with 4 granddaughters. The prices were different depending where you sat. Prices ranged $5 for middle seats, to $7 for window. Much cheaper than the basic fare. I’m also an elite Jet blue MasterCard holder, so l get free checked bags. Keep in mind if you buy the value seats, you are last to board, it’s a requirement outlined and you must click confirm that you agree to this before being allowed to purchase. So chances are, there will be NO overhead space by the time you board. On the rare times they offer family boarding it’s been for children under 2. But my last 10+ flights I think they offered it once. I usually jump on flights out of DCA to MCO. SW out if Baltimore are usually double the price Now.

 

[MouseyMin]

JetBlue also has free wifi, TV, and movies. And great leg room!

 

[n2mm]

JetBlue also has free wifi, TV, and movies. And great leg room!

we miss the movies now. Only if your flight is over 2 hours. Out of BWI it was 2+ hours, but they ended flight out of BWI to mco. So now we fly dca which is just slightly under 2 hours, so no movies for us.

 

[RivShore]

Hello!

I’m toying with the idea of flying Jet Blue for the first time for a Spring Break flight since airfare is (expectedly) high everywhere. They do not offer direct flights out of my home airport (PHL), so we’d have a layover in Boston.
I can use some Chase Ultimate Reward points to transfer to the Jet Blue point system, and they offer two tiers of flights: Blue and Blue Extra for 4,000 more points a person.
I’m just wondering what to expect on Jet Blue. I’ve flown other budget carriers (Southwest and Frontier). Wondering how they compare.

I’d preferably not like to but any bags and just pack school bags to put under the seat in front of me. I wasn’t sure how Jet Blue handled personal items.

Also, is it worth the upgrade to Blue Extra? How likely am I to be seated with my children?

Thanks in advance for any help, insight, and advice you may have!

Depending on where you are in the PHL area, you might want to check directs out of EWR or maybe even BWI. We have had good luck on pricing out of EWR and I think their amenities and seat comfort beats the other budget carriers and are better than most of the major airlines (regular seats).

 

[MarBee]

Depending on where you are in the PHL area, you might want to check directs out of EWR or maybe even BWI. We have had good luck on pricing out of EWR and I think their amenities and seat comfort beats the other budget carriers and are better than most of the major airlines (regular seats).

Thanks! We are right outside of Philly so Baltimore, Newark, and New York are all 1-2 hours away. Typically any discounts from other airlines we would get for purchasing flights from those gets negated by the time/gas/parking. We usually have my dad drop and pick us up from PHL- benefits of having a retiree nearby

 

[MarBee]

Just so you know, if you go with a Blue Basic you can opt to pay for seat assignments, and you still get the carry on. They started at $5 each when I booked my flight (Hartford to MCO). Much less than the cost to upgrade to Blue.

Thank you! I don’t see the Blue Basic level as an option to buy with points. Is that typical for points flights?

 

[n2mm]

Thank you! I don’t see the Blue Basic level as an option to buy with points. Is that typical for points flights?

yes, it seems to not be an option. I bought my 7 seats down for June with points and paid cash value seats for the flight home. You have to book one way flights if you do it this way.

 

[40ariel]

This was our experience flying Jet Blue last year:
Our flight to MCO was cancelled and our return flight was delayed 4 hours.
Although we had booked our seats, once our flight to MCO was cancelled, I had to work hard to try and get us on the next flight and we were not able to sit together.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

We've flown JetBlue several times and have always had a good experience. No delays or customer service issues. They're my favorite carrier if I'm not flying first class. I don't consider them a budget airline, because pricing is similar to SWA and the legacy airlines, you get to choose your seats, they have good in-flight amenities, etc.

 

[Denise W]

Just so you know, “direct” is not the same as “non stop”. Direct flights make a stop but you usually don’t have to change planes.
Denise