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.

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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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