JetBlue has carved out a unique space in the American airline market. It charges more than Frontier or Spirit, but less than Delta or United, and promises an experience that justifies the difference. In 2026, with nearly 1,000 daily flights and over 100 destinations across the US, Caribbean, Latin America and Europe, JetBlue is the fifth-largest US carrier by passengers.
This JetBlue review covers everything a traveler needs to know before booking: seat comfort, Mint business class, baggage fees, WiFi quality, on-time performance, TrueBlue rewards, and how the airline compares to its closest rivals.
JetBlue at a Glance: Key Facts and Performance Data
JetBlue was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York. It primarily operates out of JFK, Boston Logan, Fort Lauderdale, Long Beach and Orlando. In 2025, the airline carried approximately 47 million passengers, a 4% year-on-year increase. Its fleet of around 290 aircraft includes the Airbus A320, A321, A321neo and A220, with Airbus making up 100% of its active fleet.
| Metric | JetBlue 2025 Data |
|---|---|
| Fleet Size | ~290 aircraft (all Airbus) |
| Daily Flights | ~1,000+ |
| Destinations | 100+ across USA, Caribbean, Latin America, Europe |
| On-Time Arrival Rate | 73.8% (DOT, 2025) |
| Passenger Volume (2025) | ~47 million |
| Headquarters | Long Island City, New York |
| Hub Airports | JFK, BOS, FLL, MCO, LGB |
| Frequent Flyer Program | TrueBlue |
JetBlue’s on-time rate of 73.8% places it in the middle of the pack among US carriers. Delta led the industry in 2025 at 80.1%, while Frontier sat near the bottom at 67.2%. That context matters when you are deciding between JetBlue and its competitors.
JetBlue Seat Comfort: Economy, Even More Space & Mint
Blue (Economy) Class
JetBlue’s base economy cabin is called Blue. Seats on the A320 offer a 32-inch pitch, which is above the US industry average of 30 inches. The A321 matches that at 32 inches. Every seat comes with a free personal TV screen, free snacks and free soft drinks, which is not the case on American or United in basic economy.
- Seat pitch: 32 inches (economy), 33 inches on some A321neo configurations
- Seat width: 17.8 inches on A320, 18 inches on A321
- Personal seatback screen: standard on every seat, no exceptions
- Free snacks included: yes, on every fare type including basic Blue fares
- Power outlets: available at most seats on A321 and newer A320s
If choosing where to sit matters to you, check out our detailed guide on window seat types and how to identify the best position on any aircraft before your next JetBlue booking.
Even More Space
Even More Space is JetBlue’s premium economy option within the main cabin. These seats deliver a 38-inch pitch and early boarding. On the A321, Even More Space seats are primarily in rows 1-5 and the exit rows. Pricing ranges from $40 to $180 extra per segment depending on route length and how far in advance you book.
Mint Business Class
Mint is JetBlue’s premium product and is genuinely one of the best business class offerings in the US domestic and transatlantic market. It launched on transcontinental routes between JFK, BOS, LAX and SFO, and expanded to London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
| Feature | JetBlue Mint Detail |
|---|---|
| Seat Type | Lie-flat suite with sliding door (Mint Studio) or standard Mint |
| Bed Length | Up to 6 ft 8 in fully flat |
| Screen Size | 22-inch TV monitor |
| Amenity Kit | Hayward & Hopper collaboration |
| Dining | Multiple-course meal with tapas-style starters |
| Routes | JFK/BOS-LAX/SFO, JFK-LHR, JFK-CDG, JFK-AMS (from 2026) |
| Price Range | $599–$2,800 one-way depending on route and date |
Mint Studio, available on the A321LR fleet, includes a full closing door and a guest seat beside the bed. It is the closest experience to a private jet suite available on any US domestic carrier. For transatlantic routes, Mint competes directly with British Airways Club World and Air France Premium Economy at a fraction of the full-service carrier pricing.
JetBlue Baggage Fees 2026: What You Pay and What You Get
Baggage policy is where JetBlue’s tiered pricing model becomes most important to understand. What you pay depends entirely on which fare type you book.
| Fare Type | Carry-On | 1st Checked Bag | 2nd Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Basic | Not included ($65 at gate) | $35 | $45 |
| Blue | Free | $35 | $45 |
| Blue Plus | Free | Free (1 bag) | $45 |
| Blue Extra | Free | Free (2 bags) | Free |
| Mint | Free | Free (2 bags) | Free |
Blue Basic JetBlue’s cheapest fare does not include carry-on overhead bin access. That is a significant drawback for anyone trying to travel light. The $65 gate fee for carry-on access on Blue Basic makes it competitive with Spirit and Frontier, but undercuts the value of that low base fare.
| Traveler TipIf you travel with a carry-on bag, Blue Basic rarely saves money after fees are added. Step up to Blue fare and you protect your bag access from day one. |
JetBlue WiFi and In-Flight Entertainment
Fly-Fi: Free WiFi on Every Flight
JetBlue is the only major US airline to offer free high-speed WiFi on every flight without requiring a subscription or loyalty status. Its Fly-Fi service uses ViaSat satellite technology and has been available fleet-wide since 2017. In 2025, JetBlue began upgrading select A321neo aircraft to ViaSat-3, which delivers speeds of up to 100 Mbps per aircraft.
In practical terms, Fly-Fi handles video streaming, video calls and cloud-based work without significant interruption on most routes. It degrades over the ocean on transatlantic routes during peak usage hours, but remains usable for email and messaging throughout.
Seatback Entertainment
Every JetBlue seat, including Blue Basic, includes a personal seatback screen with live TV from DirecTV (36+ channels), on-demand movies and TV shows. This puts JetBlue ahead of American, United and Spirit in in-flight entertainment, all of which charge for content or do not offer seatback screens on short-haul routes.
TrueBlue Loyalty Program: How It Works in 2026
TrueBlue is JetBlue’s frequent flyer program. Unlike most airline programs, TrueBlue awards points based on dollars spent rather than miles flown, which benefits infrequent travelers who spend more on premium fares. Points are earned at a rate of 3 to 6 points per dollar depending on fare class, and they never expire as long as your account shows activity every 12 months.
- 3 points per dollar on Blue Basic fares
- 5 points per dollar on Blue and Blue Plus fares
- 6 points per dollar on Blue Extra and Mint
- Mosaic status (JetBlue’s elite tier) unlocks bonus multipliers, free Even More Space upgrades and waived change fees
TrueBlue points are worth approximately $0.014 each when redeemed for flights, which is competitive with Delta SkyMiles ($0.013) and ahead of United MileagePlus ($0.012) on average redemptions. For a deeper look at how TrueBlue stacks up against every major US carrier loyalty program, read our full best airline loyalty programs guide for 2026.
Mosaic Elite Status
| Tier | Qualifying Spend | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Mosaic 1 | $2,500/year | Free Even More Space, expedited security, 1 free checked bag |
| Mosaic 2 | $5,000/year | All Mosaic 1 perks + 2 free checked bags, Mint upgrades |
| Mosaic 3 | $10,000/year | All above + complimentary Mint on select routes |
| Mosaic 4 | $20,000/year | Maximum benefits, dedicated support, companion upgrades |
JetBlue Pets Policy and Family Travel
JetBlue allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic US flights for a fee of $125 per carrier, each way, as of 2026. Pets must fit in a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front and must remain in the carrier throughout the flight. Emotional support animals are no longer accepted in the cabin following the DOT rule change in 2021.
For a complete walkthrough of what to prepare before flying with your pet, including carrier size requirements and breed restrictions, our JetBlue pet policy guide covers every detail you need before booking.
For families, JetBlue does not currently have a dedicated family seating guarantee for children under 14, but agents will generally accommodate seating requests at check-in. The Even More Space seats in exit rows are restricted to passengers 15 and older.
JetBlue Routes and Network: Where It Flies in 2026
US Domestic Routes
JetBlue’s domestic network is strongest in the Northeast US, the Caribbean and Florida. It dominates the JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO transcontinental corridors where Mint competes directly with American’s Flagship Business and Delta One. Between 2024 and 2026, JetBlue added 14 new domestic routes including Nashville, Charlotte and Raleigh connections from Boston.
Transatlantic Routes
JetBlue’s transatlantic operation launched in June 2021 with JFK-LHR and expanded to JFK-CDG in 2022. As of 2026, it serves five European cities from JFK: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Paris CDG, Amsterdam and Edinburgh. One-way Mint fares to London start from $599, which consistently undercuts British Airways and Virgin Atlantic on comparable dates.
| Route | Frequency | Mint From | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK – London Heathrow | Daily | $599 | 7h 05m |
| JFK – London Gatwick | Daily | $549 | 7h 00m |
| JFK – Paris CDG | Daily | $699 | 7h 30m |
| JFK – Amsterdam Schiphol | 5x/week | $749 | 7h 50m |
| JFK – Edinburgh | 4x/week | $649 | 7h 20m |
| JFK – Cancun | Daily | N/A | 3h 30m |
| BOS – San Juan | Daily | N/A | 3h 40m |
JetBlue On-Time Performance and Customer Complaints
JetBlue’s 73.8% on-time arrival rate in 2025 was an improvement over its 68.1% rate in 2022, when the airline faced significant operational disruptions following its attempted merger with Spirit Airlines. The DOT ordered JetBlue to cancel the Spirit acquisition in January 2024 after antitrust review, and the airline has since refocused on network optimization.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics 2025 Air Travel Consumer Report, JetBlue received 2.1 complaints per 100,000 passengers in Q3 2025. Delta received 1.4 and American received 2.8. JetBlue sits in the middle of the industry range.
- Cancellation rate 2025: 1.3% (industry average: 1.8%)
- Average delay length when delayed: 52 minutes
- Mishandled baggage rate: 4.2 per 1,000 bags (industry average: 5.1)
- Customer satisfaction: 797/1,000 in J.D. Power 2025 North America Airline Study (2nd among low-cost carriers)
JetBlue vs Competitors: How It Compares in 2026
| Criteria | JetBlue | Southwest | Delta | American |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free WiFi | Yes (all flights) | Yes | Paid | Paid |
| Seatback Screens | Yes (all seats) | No | Yes | Most flights |
| Free Carry-On | Blue+ and above | Yes | Main+ | Main+ |
| Seat Pitch (Economy) | 32 in | 31 in | 30–32 in | 30–31 in |
| Business Class | Mint (select routes) | No | Delta One | Flagship Business |
| On-Time Rate 2025 | 73.8% | 77.1% | 80.1% | 72.4% |
| Loyalty Points Expire | No (with activity) | No | No | 18 months inactivity |
JetBlue sits comfortably above budget carriers like Frontier and Spirit on experience, and competes meaningfully with the legacy carriers on long-haul routes where Mint is available. For transcontinental and transatlantic travelers, Mint business class delivers a product that beats United Polaris on some configuration reviews and rivals Delta One at a lower average price.
Who Should Fly JetBlue?
JetBlue Works Best For
- Northeast US travelers flying in and out of JFK or BOS where JetBlue has the most schedule density
- Business travelers on transcontinental routes who want Mint business class without paying full legacy carrier fares
- Transatlantic flyers seeking a competitive Mint product to London or Paris under $800 one-way
- Families and leisure travelers who want free WiFi, seatback screens and decent legroom on a mid-range budget
- Pet owners who need in-cabin pet access on domestic routes
JetBlue Is a Harder Choice If
- You fly primarily in the Midwest or South where JetBlue’s network thins out significantly
- You book Blue Basic and travel with carry-on bags, as the fee structure eliminates most savings
- You need international connections beyond Europe and the Caribbean, where JetBlue has no service
- On-time reliability is your top priority, as Delta and Alaska consistently outperform JetBlue
| Overall VerdictJetBlue earns a strong recommendation for East Coast travelers, transatlantic business flyers and anyone who values in-flight comfort over the lowest possible base fare. The Mint product in particular is one of the best value premium cabins in the sky in 2026. |
Ready to plan your next trip? Explore more expert flight guides, airline comparisons and money-saving tips at TalkTravel’s full travel blog your go-to resource for smarter flying in 2026.
Final Verdict: Is JetBlue Worth It in 2026?
JetBlue is not the cheapest airline in the US market, and it does not try to be. What it offers instead is a mid-market experience that punches above its weight on in-flight comfort, free WiFi, entertainment and, in Mint’s case, a world-class business product. The TrueBlue loyalty program rewards spending over distance, which suits infrequent travelers better than most airline programs.
The carrier’s weaknesses, mainly its route network gaps in the Midwest and its on-time performance sitting below Delta and Alaska, are worth factoring in. But for its core markets, particularly the Northeast US and transatlantic to Europe, JetBlue in 2026 delivers a compelling, well-rounded product at a price that makes it genuinely worth choosing over the alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JetBlue a good airline in 2026?
Yes. JetBlue ranks second among low-cost carriers in J.D. Power’s 2025 customer satisfaction study with a score of 797/1,000. It offers free WiFi, seatback screens and above-average legroom, making it one of the better mid-range options in the US market.
Does JetBlue have first class?
JetBlue does not have a traditional first class cabin. Its premium product is called Mint, which is a business class cabin with lie-flat seats, a closing door on Mint Studio, and multi-course dining. Mint is available on select transcontinental and transatlantic routes only.
How much does JetBlue charge for checked bags?
JetBlue charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on Blue and Blue Basic fares. Blue Plus includes one free checked bag and Blue Extra includes two. Mint passengers receive two free checked bags on every booking.
Is JetBlue WiFi actually free?
Yes. JetBlue’s Fly-Fi is free on every domestic flight with no login wall, subscription or loyalty status required. Speeds support video streaming on most routes. Transatlantic routes include free WiFi but speeds can vary during peak hours.
What is JetBlue’s on-time performance in 2026?
JetBlue’s on-time arrival rate was 73.8% in 2025 according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That places it fifth among major US carriers, behind Delta (80.1%), Alaska (78.4%), Southwest (77.1%) and United (74.9%).
Is JetBlue TrueBlue worth it?
TrueBlue is worth joining for any JetBlue traveler. Points are earned based on dollars spent rather than miles flown, they never expire with account activity, and the Mosaic elite tiers unlock meaningful perks including free Even More Space upgrades and waived fees from a modest $2,500 annual spend threshold.
Does JetBlue fly internationally?
Yes. JetBlue serves destinations across the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and since 2021, Europe. As of 2026, European destinations include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Paris CDG, Amsterdam and Edinburgh, all operated from JFK with Mint business class available.
