JetBlue walks back most restrictive part of basic economy policy
JetBlue is making a big — and welcome — change to its basic economy fare.
Beginning Sept. 6, travelers booking the Blue Basic fare will be allowed to bring a full-size carry-on bag with their ticket.
This change will apply to all new and existing basic economy tickets for travel beginning Sept. 6, regardless of the purchase date.
Any full-size carry-on will be subject to the usual size limits and will be in addition to the one small personal item that needs to fit below your seat.
Loyalty basics: Best ways to earn airline miles
However, while basic economy travelers will technically be allowed to bring a rollaboard through security, there's no guarantee that it'll actually make it into an overhead bin.
That's especially true for those purchasing the cheapest JetBlue fare because unless you have Mosaic elite status, you're boarding at the end.
In fact, JetBlue even acknowledged this reality in the fourth paragraph of its press release.
"While many of JetBlue's aircraft are outfitted with larger overhead bins to accommodate more customers, in the event of space constraints, customers may be required to check carry-on bags at the gate for no additional charge," reads the press release.
(Note that JetBlue's carry-on guarantee, which provided a flight credit if there's no room for your carry-on, was cut late last year and no longer applies to any fares.)
Network shake-up: JetBlue trims London, Paris and New York LaGuardia service; doubles down on San Juan
Even so, this represents a nice improvement for this fare product that first debuted in 2019. When these fares debuted, JetBlue allowed flyers to bring a carry-on bag, but it then walked back this inclusion in 2021 when it overhauled its fares and eliminated (most) change and cancellation fees.
Once this change was enacted in July 2021, JetBlue became one of the most restrictive U.S. airlines by not allowing basic economy flyers to travel with a full-size carry-on bag.
But now, going forward, the only major U.S. airline that doesn't allow full-size carry-on bags for basic economy travelers is United Airlines.
As part of the news, JetBlue isn't adjusting any other aspect of its fare products. Basic economy tickets cannot be changed, and cancellations are allowed for a $100 fee per person for all flights except transatlantic flights, which come with a $200 cancellation fee.
Same-day changes and standby are not available with Blue Basic tickets, and there are no checked bags included with this fare.
Maximize your flying: JetBlue TrueBlue program: Earn and redeem points, transfer partners and more
JetBlue is seemingly making this move as a way to boost profitability, as the carrier has struggled to stay in the black in recent quarters.
"Carry-on bags are an important piece of travel to customers, and when presented with a choice between JetBlue's award-winning service and another carrier's basic offering, we want JetBlue to be the easy winner," Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, said in a statement.
"This is a win-win as we improve the customer experience and keep JetBlue competitive in our industry," he added.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees