JetBlue Airways will open the primary airport lounges in its greater than twenty years of flying, which is a significant change for the low-cost airline in its hunt for big-spending travelers.
The lounges will open at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York late next yr, followed by Boston, JetBlue said Thursday.
The airline also plans to launch a brand new “premium” bank card with its partner Barclays, targeting firms reminiscent of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines And American Airlineswho’ve generated billions in sales through lucrative bank card transactions.
Customers who hold the soon-to-be-announced premium bank card, those that have booked JetBlue's Mint business class for transatlantic travel and people with high-level frequent flyer status may have access to the lounges, the corporate said.
JetBlue said it plans to open the 8,000-square-foot lounge in Terminal 5 at New York's JFK Airport late next yr, followed shortly thereafter by a 1,200-square-foot lounge in Terminal C at Boston Logan International Airport.
JetBlue is attempting to cut costs and return to stable profitability by delaying the delivery of dozens of latest Airbus aircraft, amongst other things. The airline has canceled dozens of routes this yr and is searching for ways to raised utilize its planes, which feature the Mint cabin, which offers lie-flat seats, upscale meals and other perks.
Access to the lounges won’t be permitted – no less than for now – to travelers on other Mint routes, reminiscent of transcontinental flights, Jayne O'Brien, JetBlue's director of selling and customer support, told CNBC.
She said JetBlue doesn’t need to disappoint customers if they can not access the lounges because they’re too crowded. “We want to be very thoughtful about how we approach this,” she said, adding that the lounges will feature cocktail and espresso bars, “light snacks” and space to work.
The highest tier of JetBlue's loyalty program and holders of the brand new premium card receive free lounge access for one guest.
O'Brien declined to comment on rumors that JetBlue plans to supply a Mini Mint cabin, a smaller version of its popular cabin, on some planes.
Other airlines have renovated their airport lounges to draw more big-ticket customers and handle crowds. Delta, which had restricted access to a few of its popular Sky Clubs at airports after complaints about long lines, opened its first Delta One lounge at JFK Airport in June, reserved exclusively for purchasers in the very best cabin category and certain elite members of the SkyMiles program, where access is by invitation only.
American and United even have their very own lounges for travelers in the highest First and Business Class cabins.
Credit card firms reminiscent of American Express, chase And Capital One To attract customers, they’ve also opened airport lounges in cities across the country.
JetBlue isn't the one airline considering expanding the perks that include higher fares.
Southwest Airlines plans to supply seats with more legroom to spice up revenue, the most important change in the corporate's greater than five many years of flying. Southwest will provide more details on its strategy at an investor day next week. Spirit Airlines And Border airlines have also launched packages that include more spacious seats and earlier boarding.
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