By Connor Sadler
JetBlue Plans to Reshape Transatlantic Travel with London Service
JetBlue has announced its plans to change the transatlantic market when it begins its London service later this year.
The latest update sees the airline setting out its main cabin offering. JetBlue recently showcased its reimagined Mint product for transatlantic and longer flights.
Customers will benefit from a unique build-your-own meal offering, as well as free unlimited WiFi, seatback entertainment and more legroom across the Atlantic. JetBlue is also offering wider seats than widebodies and a more customer-friendly experience to win over travelers. The airline is due to debut flights from New York’s JFK airport and Boston to London in the fall of this year.
“From generous personal space, to our innovative build-your-own dining concept, every detail has been thoughtfully designed and will be made even better with the attentive service standards that a single-aisle aircraft allows,” said Jayne O’Brien, Head of Marketing and Loyalty at JetBlue, per Business Wire.
“We know all too well the pain points of international flying – the dreaded center section, the ‘choice’ of assembly-line chicken or beef, and the lack of connectivity. JetBlue is ready to change all that with our take on transatlantic travel where you are well taken care of and fully connected if you want to be,” continued O’Brien.
JetBlue and Airbus have teamed up to launch Airspace by Airbus on the A321LR. TAP Air Portugal was the program’s launch customer with its Airbus A330neos.
The JetBlue experience is set to offer the most legroom of any economy class across the Atlantic. Business Wire reports the airline will offer 32 inches of pitch, with Collins Meridian seats designed with customer experience in mind.
The aircraft will feature 114 Ultraleather ‘Core’ seats, each at 18.4 inches wide with AC and USB-C power. There will be four rows of Even More Space seating, offering up to six inches more pitch.
Even little details have been considered, with sidewalls redesigned for additional shoulder space and larger window bezels. Every seatback storage pouch has custom-designed mesh pockets for loose items and water bottles. The overhead bins on board are larger than those in JetBlue’s existing fleet, offering more luggage capacity for transatlantic travelers.
JetBlue is using the Airspace by Airbus interior to improve its customer experience throughout the cabin. The airline has customized every aspect of the aircraft’s cabin to optimize its onboard experience. These features include custom mood lighting designed to reduce jetlag and an iconic glowing ceiling with a custom JetBlue pattern.
JetBlue’s Airspace by Airbus main cabin interior on its Airbus A321LR aircraft, featuring wider seats, more legroom and features tailored to the traveler (Photo: Business Wire)
The four onboard lavatories pay homage to New York with subway tile patterns, and a reimagined entryway offers a warm, bright welcome to customers.
On transatlantic flights, JetBlue will offer a build-your-own meal menu in partnership with New York restaurant group Dig.
According to Business Wire, customers can choose from three main selections, including a protein or vegetable; that comes with a base and two out of three hot and chilled side options.
A selection of Dig’s build-your-own options for JetBlue’s transatlantic meal offering (Photo: Business Wire)
Some of the other offerings will include a grab-and-go snack basket, complimentary drinks and a light bite before arriving.
On the new dining experience, O’Brien said: “Great food doesn’t have to be limited to the premium cabin, and our customers in core also deserve a dining experience that is thoughtfully prepared and offers choices.”
“Dig has earned a big following in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, where customers love the fresh ingredients and customizable concept. We wanted customers in the air to have the same freedom to design their own meal, just like they would if they were dining at a Dig restaurant,” added O’Brien.
Meals will be served in reusable containers and cutlery created from a natural polymer to fulfill JetBlue’s sustainable commitment.
JetBlue will become the first airline to offer free, unlimited WiFi on all transatlantic flights. The free WiFi would also compliment the seatback entertainment, which Business Wire says is how people use technology at home.
Each Core seat will feature a 10.1 inch, 1080p screen. The system will include on-demand content, including full seasons of shows and movies. In addition, there will be live TV channels, a picture-in-picture function, a 3D flight map and handheld device pairing capabilities.
Customers can also benefit from a personalized seatback experience, where they can customize their Dig meal right on their screen.
Connor has been in love with flying since the first time he boarded a plane when he was 5 years old. He loves all things aviation, and he hopes to make that his full time career in the future.
