Just kidding…
Most of you may have heard the big news yesterday about JetBlue. The carrier will be doing a few customer-unfriendly things to generate lots of extra money in the future.
Here is a recap for those of you that missed the news:
JetBlue will start charging fees for checked bags in the first half of 2015. To spin this development in a positive light, they will offer three fare options. The cheapest option is meant for those not planning to check a bag. The other two options will offer one and two free checked bags. (I think calling the bags free is a bit of a joke. They aren’t free, you are paying extra for the option so JetBlue should just say bags are included.)
According to a JetBlue press release, “…the latter two will offer one and two free checked bags, respectively, along with other attractive benefits, including additional TrueBlue points and increased flexibility.”
There will also be an Airbus A320 cabin refresh. I know that when a word like refresh is thrown around, it can’t be a good thing for us, the passengers. Lighter, more comfortable seats will be used which allow for an increase in the number of seats on the plane. This refresh should begin in the middle of 2016.
According to an article in USA Today, “the capacity of those planes will jump to 165 from the current 150. The average “seat pitch” — or a standard measure of distance between seats — will decline to about 33 inches, down from more than 34 inches currently“.
According to the press release, “initiatives expected to generate more than $400 million in additional annual operating income”.
My .02¢:
Is it only a matter of time until JetBlue starts charging for the popular Terra Blues chips? Or better yet, maybe they will no longer be offered at all as a way to save a few dollars.
Did JetBlue introduce/ name its premium class Mint as a signal of things to come? With these new enhancements, it sounds like the airline will be minting lots of money by charging fees!
With this projected influx of money in the near future will a name change also be in the cards?
How does JetGreen sound? 🙂
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The average “seat pitch” — or a standard measure of distance between seats — will decline to about 33 inches, down from more than 34 inches currently“.
“to about 33 inches” = closer to 32 inches
Bummer.
Flyer Hound- Any loss of space is not good!