Jetblue making changes??

[goofy4tink]

So, just read on Boston.com that JB is adding 15 seats, taking away an inch or so of leg room, and is considering charging for all checked bags.
Any thoughts?

 

[webworm]

I bet it may not be that long before Southwest follows the baggage revenue generator.

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to agree. I imagine they might go with one free checked bag, but not two!

 

[DebbieB]

I bet it may not be that long before Southwest follows the baggage revenue generator.

I don't know, they make such a big deal about free bags. Last month I noticed they painted on the side of the plane "free bags go here" with an arrow to the baggage door. I think the free changes are likely to go before free bags. I think they have also made it up by higher fares. I can't remember the last time I was under $300 round trip. I remember when they were $150-$200.

 

[cmwade77]

Jetblue has announced that they are making changes:
http://blog.jetblue.com/

From what I read there, it appears that they will be offering different "branded fares", which I interpret to simply mean different levels, the lowest will offer no checked bags, moving up to include two checked bags.

We just qualified for Mosaic level, so we get two free checked bags no matter what, at least until the end of 2015.

As for the leg room, I have flown on both the old and new style and there is not a noticeable difference in the leg room for me and I am 6'2" tall, so that is normally an issue for me. Now if I get into Even More Leg Room seats, there is a very obvious difference. But overall, the new difference isn't bad, especially compared to other airlines.

Additionally, they sent me an email letting me know about the changes and that email detailed that they are going to add a fourth flight attendant to their flights to provide better service.

 

[DebbieB]

Additionally, they sent me an email letting me know about the changes and that email detailed that they are going to add a fourth flight attendant to their flights to provide better service.

They are doing that because they are legally required to do so. They have to have 1 FA for every 50 seats. So with 150 seats, they need to have 3. With 165 seats, they need 4.

 

[goofy4tink]

I got the email as well. I'm not impressed. I truly think JB is making is 'look' as if they are doing this to improve our flying experience. I doubt they are going to lower fares for those flying with checked bags. More likely, they will keep the fares the same and charge for those bags. Then, if you want one of the other 'packages' you will pay for it. Free bags=higher fares.
I'll wait and see how it all shakes out, but I seriously doubt any of this is being done for the flyer's benefit...it's for the investor's benefit. To say that they have found that only half the customers fly with checked bags is ludicrous. When they add these addtl seats, it will mean more waits for potty breaks, longer times to get snacks or drinks, and longer times for on and off the plane. More crowding at the gate.

 

[DebbieB]

Most airlines have squeezed more seats on their planes, this isn't just a Jet Blue thing. I know Delta installed the "slim line" seats to add more rows. USAirways did it a few years back, reducing rows from first class and squeezing in more coach.

American has a similar fare setup, where you can add benefits in a package.

Most business flyers do not check bags, so the 50% carryon might be correct.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As for the leg room, I have flown on both the old and new style and there is not a noticeable difference in the leg room for me and I am 6'2" tall, so that is normally an issue for me. Now if I get into Even More Leg Room seats, there is a very obvious difference. But overall, the new difference isn't bad, especially compared to other airlines.

.....

I don't think you have flown on the planes with the additional seats, as JetBlue has not yet implemented this change.

 

[conandrob240]

Then, JetBlue eliminates everything it had that differentiated it from all the other airlines. Coming off two years where the profits of airlines have been astounding (billions of $ due to lowered fuel costs), it is extra greedy to shove more seats on the plane and start charging for bags now.