What makes JetBlue one of the top-rated airlines among passengers? What is behind these cool new innovations they are pushing out, such as Mint, Travel Bank, and TrueBlue? How does it manage to keep its company culture so positive when the industry is competitive?
I will address expert questions to tease out exactly what consensus characteristics set JetBlue apart.
Get ready for an inside peek at what really makes JetBlue tick, straight from the horse's mouth of those who know it best.
How do you believe seasonal travel affects JetBlue's ticket prices?
Beginning March 22, JetBlue has quietly implemented additional checked baggage charges during peak travel periods. It now charges $50 for the first checked bag and $70 for the second checked bag if the passenger checks their bags within 24 hours of their flight and travels within the US, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean during an off-peak season.
JetBlue’s peak period includes most of April, late June through Labor Day weekend, and late November through January. The seasonal charges of JetBlue also depend on the origin and destination. For example, transatlantic flights have separate bag fee charges, where passengers have to pay $70 for the first checked bag and $115 for the second checked bag.
Passengers can still save themselves from paying such a huge amount by checking their luggage 24 hours prior to departure, which will save them $10. You can omit the checked baggage fee entirely if you are a JetBlue Plus Card holder. The card offers one free first checked bag on JetBlue flights and up to three companions on the same reservation.
Marc Bromhall, Founder, Cape Trek
Have you noticed a pattern in flight pricing changes during certain days of the week for JetBlue?
Yes, I have observed the following:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: These are the best days to get the cheapest fares. Most of the airlines, like JetBlue, let out a storm of sales and reduced fares on Monday evenings. Tuesday will likely be the day when most people are finding and booking cheaper flights. Wednesday tends to show lower demand, which then results in cheaper prices.
Saturday and Sunday: While weekends are indeed times of peak travel, there can be some weekend flights on Saturdays and Sundays that are cheaper. It might have something to do with flying at early morning or late-night time slots. Keep in mind that it does depend on the route and demand.
These can vary at different times, driven by seasonal demand, holidays, or other events. To get the best deals, it is highly recommended to book early and track prices regularly.
Tanya Lamont, CEO, Conversational
How do you perceive JetBlue's flight prices in comparison to other major airlines you've experienced?
JetBlue does offer competitive rates with other major carriers most of the time. Be it the budget traveler or the need for luxury, JetBlue has variable price options to suit many different needs and desires. Comparing this airline to others, I personally have found JetBlue's prices to be at par with some of the low-end priced airlines and even lower on some occasions—without lack of quality for customer service.
The Blue Basic fare is perfect for customers who simply want a no-frills flying experience at the best possible price. Their Blue Plus and Blue Extra fares add perks like free checked bags and extra legroom, all for a slightly higher cost. Actually, I will be impressed with how competitive the pricing strategy of JetBlue has been, really helping it stand apart from others to become one of the major carriers in the market.
Susan B. Merry, Owner, Inner Joy Activewear
How far in advance should I book a JetBlue flight to get the best deal?
If you time it just right, the best deal on a JetBlue flight is usually about one to two months in advance. Domestic travel shows an ideal window of 44 days prior, and this is normally the window that can give the lowest prices for some destinations. Be sure to have a look at fares at least six months in advance for an international flight, and start booking 2-3 months in advance—this will be when the cheapest fares come out, approximately 72 days before your departure.
There could also be some advantage to booking on a Tuesday afternoon, since many airlines—like JetBlue, which starts its sales early in the week—would be done adjusting prices by the afternoon and so would their competitors. You can also use fare alerts to know when prices have dropped, and follow JetBlue's social media to find out about any sales announcement.
Other than that, a price predictor like AirHint will be able to analyze the pricing patterns to guide whether to book now or wait for the potential fall of prices.
Chris and Alex Manos, Gourmaze
What is your most effective strategy for saving money on JetBlue Flights?
A JetBlue Plus Card maximizes the perks to save you money during your journey by using one of the best methods of travel with JetBlue Airlines. This credit card offers many privileges, such as the ability to earn points faster and to get discounts on in-flight purchases.
My personal experience with the JetBlue Plus Card was that it has led to a significant reduction in the costs of my travels. To put it differently, I've made use of early bookings and the points I collected from my everyday purchases to net zero or largely discounted flights. The benefits are also seen in the fact that passengers are allowed to check one bag with every flight for free, making it a money-saving option, especially on longer trips.
Also, signing up for fare alerts and keeping an eye on JetBlue's sales and promotions is another route. I came to the conclusion that the lowest airfares could be reached by using these variables: being extra flexible with the travel dates and then purchasing sale tickets, thus leading to huge savings. The combination of these two methods has always been my choice for reducing travel costs while at the same time enjoying the benefits JetBlue offers.
Alli Widman, Founder & CEO, Avant Ski
How do you feel holidays and peak travel times influence JetBlue airline ticket prices?
The cost of JetBlue flights climbs during weekends and vacation times since demand is obviously much higher. Actually, demand is the driving factor that leads to elevated prices on these days. For example, during the Christmas and New Year season, I have seen ticket prices increase between low and peak hours.
On one Sunday, for instance, I planned a trip to Turkey for Thanksgiving, taking into consideration that the prices of my last-minute tickets would be high. I got a much better fare by observing price trends and booking several months before my departure.
JetBlue and other airlines use pricing algorithms that monitor prices based on demand, the booking window, and the figures set by their competitors. Being aware of this and planning ahead can help passengers spend less, even during peak times.
Aviad Faruz, CEO, FARUZO
What is one tip for minimizing extra fees when flying with airlines like JetBlue?
Rely on Travel Insurance
Travel insurance helps!
Whether it's JetBlue or any other similar airline, I've always found the flight rescheduling options to be rather limited or expensive. The cheat code I use here is to rely on my travel insurance package to cover these additional costs whenever I have to reschedule.
Yes, it is somewhat of a hassle to make calls and exchange emails with my insurance agency, but it sure saves me money, so there's no reason to complain. My travel insurance also protects me from a long list of other risks, so I've always found it to be worth the effort and fee.
Abraham Samuel, Co-founder, Boost My Domain
Based on your personal experience, which airline is better for budget travel: JetBlue or Southwest, and why?
As someone who used to work for Southwest and has flown JetBlue many times, I personally believe Southwest is better for budget travel. Let me also be clear that even though I no longer work for them, these are my honest insights into flying with them before and after.
One of the things many budget airlines love to charge for is extra baggage. With Southwest, you can check in two free bags underneath, plus go with a carry-on and a personal item. They have awesome perks like the Wanna Get Away Plus tier where if you cancel a flight, that flight credit is transferable. That tier also provides the ability to make a same-day confirmed change, so if you want to leave a little later or earlier, you can make the shift at no extra cost!
In addition, if you book in advance and during their sales, you get pretty awesome flight deals. If the price you paid is higher, you can always get a flight credit, and at Southwest, they never expire. So whether you want to travel in two months or two years, that flight credit will always be there. Even their cheapest ticket tier, Wanna Get Away, has awesome benefits like same-day standby... Meaning if there's space on a flight, you can change your ticket for free.
Southwest is the biggest American domestic carrier, and with destinations everywhere at affordable prices, it's easy to see why they're the top carrier. They offer a lot more flights per day compared to JetBlue. On the other hand, JetBlue has packaged services which make flying with them a lot more expensive. You also don't get the perk of flying with two free checked bags whenever. You have to be a Mint or Mosaic member to get this perk.
Between JetBlue and Southwest, Southwest is the only carrier that flies to Hawaii direct from Oakland, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. It's also cheaper to get to Hawaii via Southwest. When it comes to budget travel and flexibility, Southwest is the top choice.
Gina Panozzo, Blogger, Gina Bear's Blog
What is your honest review of JetBlue's in-flight services and amenities?
I flew JetBlue for the first time in spring 2024 without even realizing that I'd be flying JetBlue. Up until that point in time, I had never even heard of the airline. And as a nervous flier, when I noticed JetBlue written on my ticket, I was, well...nervous!
But my nerves were calmed the second I stepped onto my first JetBlue aircraft. It was so much more spacious than any of the aircraft I'd traveled on in the last months (many of which made me feel claustrophobic). It was beautifully illuminated, clean, and very new.
The staff were polite and welcoming, and the snacks and drinks they offered us on board were actually proper brand names—none of the usual stuff you find on flights. When it came to the in-flight meals, we selected our choices on our TV monitors, allowing us to customize our food to the max. It felt like such a VIP experience, even though I was flying in economy.
Overall, JetBlue went very quickly from being an airline I'd never heard of before and accidentally booked a flight with, to being one of the top airlines I've ever traveled with.
Marina Krivonossova, Founder & CEO, Retold
As one expert aptly put it,
"JetBlue isn't just flying planes; they're building a community of loyal customers who value the experience as much as the destination."
It is this sentiment, above all, that is central to their philosophy and explains, at least in part, why JetBlue is getting it right—not just by industry standards but in setting a new standard.
Stay tuned as I continue collecting insights from industry leaders and JetBlue insiders, providing you with the latest updates and a deeper understanding of this remarkable airline.