JetBlue ditches hot meals for cold in coach on transatlantic flights
JetBlue is ditching hot meals in coach on each of its transatlantic flights.
The New York-based carrier quietly rolled out a new dining menu for its “core” cabin this fall. It included a key disclaimer at the top: “All items served chilled.”
A quick look at the menus suggests JetBlue’s inflight economy meal service will still include strong offerings and will likely be tastier than what you’ll find on many other carriers in the main cabin.
However, JetBlue’s impressive dining options — even in coach — have been a key differentiator for the airline on its transatlantic routes since it launched its first flights to Europe in 2021.
Before we go any further, we should mention that JetBlue is planning no such changes to its premium Mint cabin, where the top-notch food and beverage service remains a standout feature of its service.
But, in a statement confirming the shift to chilled meals, JetBlue representatives alluded to the high cost of providing the hot, elaborate meals throughout the cabin.
“This change is part of our effort to ensure we can continue to provide a great experience at JetBlue’s competitive fares on these routes,” a spokesperson for the carrier told TPG Monday.
Shifting its coach menu
All-chilled meals in economy class aren’t an entirely novel move for JetBlue.
The carrier tested similar dining options on its two seasonal routes this past summer to Dublin and Edinburgh, operated with its Airbus A321neo jets — as opposed to the A321LRs that have been part of its other transatlantic service.
JetBlue will continue to collaborate with New York-based eatery Dig on the core dining menus, which “lives up to the standard we set for high-quality meals," the airline said.
A quick glance at the new menu for eastbound transatlantic lunch and dinner reveals a main course choice of a chicken grain bowl or ginger garlic tofu paired with a kale apple salad or green beans.
Westbound lunch or dinner includes a pesto pasta salad or mushrooms and lentils; it's served alongside a tomato and cucumber salad or buffalo cauliflower.
An example of the breakfast: If you’re flying to Europe overnight, you can choose between a crepe with smoked turkey, brie, fennel, arugula and balsamic onion jam, or overnight oats paired with fruit or coconut yogurt.
JetBlue’s core meal service will continue to be highly customizable. Passengers can select their entree and side dish using the airline’s touchscreens at each seatback.
A time of change at JetBlue
These changes at JetBlue come as the airline has been undergoing a major transformation aimed at boosting its earnings and capitalizing on the high demand for premium accommodations.
The latter goal recently saw the airline announce its first-ever airport lounge planned for New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) by late 2025; a second is to follow at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
JetBlue also plans to announce a new premium cobranded credit card in the near future which would come with complimentary JetBlue lounge access. Earning Mosaic 4 elite status in its TrueBlue program would also come with access to the lounges, as would purchasing a Mint seat on a transatlantic flight.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.