JETBLUE-Unfair practice!

[buzzrelly]

We like Jetblue and fly them all the time BUT I find it unfair that now the first half of the plane you have to pay extra to sit closer to the front AND people on our last Florida flight were all bragging that they give them the extra legroom and front of the plane, even though they book the cheapest fair (Blue Basic). When nobody pays extra for the extra legroom, and close to the front seats, all those people who didn't get a seat assignment got put up front in the expensive seats. Definitely poor policy!

I'm not sure why this is unfair when you could also do that and have a shot at sitting in the front/extra legroom seats, though it's more likely that you'd be sitting in the middle in the back of the plane.

It's not unfair because nobody is telling you you couldn't also try this. It's a gamble for sure and it may or may not work out in your favor but maybe it's worth it to you. Seems like it's worked out for at least a few people you've talked to.

Personally, I pay for the seat I'm happy with and mind my own business. I have no idea what everyone else booked or paid for, nor do I care.

 

[EACarlson]

I'm wondering why people are laughing at this post? Honestly, I don't see what's funny about it. Please explain because I want to laugh also. Lol.

I laughed at it because it's an unhinged rant about something that is neither unfair nor unwise as JetBlue is selling the seats and the flight is presumably going out full. If JB is selling the EMS seats for $68, are they making more or less than that on the Blue Basic seat they sold? I don't see any difference between this and the three upgrades I got a few weeks ago on Delta. The person sitting next to me in Comfort+ was a basic economy passenger that got assigned that seat. Would you rather see that seat go out full with a Blue Basic passenger, or should everyone on the plane be forced to pay extra for the seats that would have gone out empty otherwise?

 

[jimmymc]

I'm wondering why people are laughing at this post? Honestly, I don't see what's funny about it. Please explain because I want to laugh also. Lol.

I think people are laughing because OP is complaining about getting exactly what they paid for.

When it comes to basic economy fares, all you're getting is a seat on the plane. It could be great, it could be terrible. OP is welcome to book that fare and gamble getting an upgrade for less money, but if they lose, they'll be sitting in a middle seat right in front of the rear lavatory. Meanwhile, people who pay for seat selection are getting exactly what they selected. I'd personally rather have a normal aisle seat than an extra legroom middle seat, so I'm good paying the regular fare.

Maybe Jetblue is charging too much for seats and should lower the cost. That doesn't change the fact that OP got what they paid for but can't be happy because someone else was upgraded.

 

[kandb]

Who's in a tizzy? Just discussing an issue! Believe me, I am not losing sleep over it, just don't think it's fair. Make the better seats less expensive.

Because this is a hilarious thing to get into a tizzy about?

 

[kandb]

I laughed at it because it's an unhinged rant about something that is neither unfair nor unwise as JetBlue is selling the seats and the flight is presumably going out full. If JB is selling the EMS seats for $68, are they making more or less than that on the Blue Basic seat they sold? I don't see any difference between this and the three upgrades I got a few weeks ago on Delta. The person sitting next to me in Comfort+ was a basic economy passenger that got assigned that seat. Would you rather see that seat go out full with a Blue Basic passenger, or should everyone on the plane be forced to pay extra for the seats that would have gone out empty otherwise?

An "unhinged rant"? Wow, you have some imagination! I guess people perceive what they want to in all aspects of life!

 

[kandb]

I think people are laughing because OP is complaining about getting exactly what they paid for.

When it comes to basic economy fares, all you're getting is a seat on the plane. It could be great, it could be terrible. OP is welcome to book that fare and gamble getting an upgrade for less money, but if they lose, they'll be sitting in a middle seat right in front of the rear lavatory. Meanwhile, people who pay for seat selection are getting exactly what they selected. I'd personally rather have a normal aisle seat than an extra legroom middle seat, so I'm good paying the regular fare.

Maybe Jetblue is charging too much for seats and should lower the cost. That doesn't change the fact that OP got what they paid for but can't be happy because someone else was upgraded.

Nope, OP is complaining because most people don't buy the upgraded seats because they are too expensive and then they give them to people who paid the least amount of money!

 

[pooch]

Many years ago, DD & I were flying to MCO on Delta. I think we paid $49 for the tickets & got upgraded to first class. Should they have checked to see who paid the most for their non-first class ticket and moved them instead? I dunno but we enjoyed the flight. This is a non-issue IMHO. But maybe you should buy the cheap tickets next time & see what you get.

 

[tjmw2727]

This is common for airlines as well as hotels as it is easier to resell the less expensive fare/room. Hotels and airlines will upgrade someone who has already paid to free up the cheap fares/rooms to resell.

So, the more premium open seats you see the more likely it is that someone will be upgraded from the lesser fare.

 

[jimmymc]

Nope, OP is complaining because most people don't buy the upgraded seats because they are too expensive and then they give them to people who paid the least amount of money!

I still don't see how this is unfair. What JetBlue and I consider upgrades or better seats aren't always the same, and there's no guarantee a cheaper fare gets you a better seat.

 

[tony67]

Jet Blue is my preferred Airline in the states and has been for a long time.

Its an extra 100+ for the seats in the first 5 or 6 rows - you get free drinks etc..
At check in its rare there is even a seat available other than the middle seat and that is either not sold or someone upgrades to it with mosaic status.

Even a week or two out its rare to get an isle or window in that area.

Now that they charge the $100 and give free drinks I don't think they put people in them randomly and usually people with minimal mosaic status get them a free upgrade at check-in usually take the middle seat for the extra room and free drinks.

Before this change it was not uncommon for folks on standby to get those seats - any time I was standby I got those seats - but in my experience that is not happening anymore. Most likely because of the premium fee and free drinks - premium seats are very profitable and they don't want to upset those folks. As time goes on we will see the prices and benefits of those seats go up IMO.

It's still possible the extra room seats that are not that "even more" seat are still randomly assigned - but again its hit or miss and not something you can count on.

Also there are a lot of seat that are standard seats just in the front middle of the plane. Charging for those is a bit ridiculous IMO, but if they can sell them they should. They are not extra room seats. In general JetBlue had decent leg room even in there regular seats, so maybe there is some confusion there.
I recently flew on a TAP A321 and an Aer Lingus A321 and standard seats on JetBlue have a lot more room than standard seats on those planes - same plane but more leg room.
Anyway - yeah there is a good chance you will get those seats but they are not all that much better and I would not pay for them.

Basic Blue is also get on last and they have a carry on (space permitting) so even if they can bring a bag there will most likely not be space in the overhead as they get on last typically. They also get no refunds and the fee to change is often more than the cost of the ticket.
Many downsides to Basic Blue other than the price - I typically avoid it - for me its not worth the risk of getting a middle seat or having to gate check a bag with my laptop in it. Gate checked bags seem to get stuff stolen from them far more often than any other bags in my experience.

This is how Airlines have always worked - they are not going to leave a seat empty in Economy when they can charge for it.

If you want a specific seat somewhat guaranteed then pay for it otherwise its the luck of the draw.