6 things JetBlue should change about Mint business class
JetBlue offers one of the best business-class products in the U.S., but it's not flawless.
When the Mint product was unveiled nearly nine years ago, the New York-based carrier shook up the domestic premium-cabin market. Since then, the airline has won a plethora of awards for its top-notch product, which has also scored rave reviews from flyers and TPG reporters alike.
JetBlue took things up a notch last year when it unveiled its next-generation Mint product, which is now flying on select domestic frequencies and on the airline's new transatlantic service to London. Along with a brand-new seat, the airline brought a revamped inflight service experience to all of its Mint-equipped Airbus A321 jets.
But, for all the praise that JetBlue deserves for both the new and old Mint experience, the original product is starting to show its age. As the product comes up on its 9-year anniversary, it's time for JetBlue to consider making some long-term adjustments to the original Mint experience.
An outdated inflight entertainment system
The original Mint product is still sporting the same inflight entertainment system that it launched with in 2014.
The 15-inch screens offer nearly 100 channels of DirecTV programming and over 100 channels of SiriusXM radio, along with a handful of on-demand movies and TV shows.
While that might sound like plenty, the entertainment system could definitely use an upgrade.
In terms of the hardware, the screen itself has a glossy finish that's highly reflective, making it especially hard to focus on the content when there's lots of ambient light. Additionally, the screen doesn't tilt or swivel, which isn't ideal for those who enjoy watching movies when lying down.
The remote is also showing its age. It only has a few physical buttons, but many of them are worn out from overuse, and you won't feel any physical feedback when pressing them down.
Finally, the content itself could use an update. The live TV and satellite radio don't work on Caribbean routes and the on-demand movies and TV shows can get repetitive for frequent flyers.
Seat padding (or lack thereof)
The seats in the original Mint product are cushioned with padding that can be adjusted to your preferred firmness. The cushions fill up with air as you increase the firmness.
Unfortunately, this air-based cushioning hasn't aged well. On three recent Mint flights, I've arrived at my seat only to have it feel like I'm sitting on or against a steel wall.
In all three cases, there was no air in the cushioning system, and I was sitting against the bones of the seat. I asked the flight attendant to reset the system on all three cases, but it only fixed the problem on two of the three flights.
On my most recent flight, the flight attendant profusely apologized that she couldn't fix the padding issue. Fortunately, the airline had stocked a replacement seat cushion on the flight (due to this being a common issue), so she installed that instead.
Allergens on inflight menus
The food and drinks offered in Mint are some of the best you'll find in the sky.
I love that JetBlue publishes its inflight menus before your flight, so I can decide whether to pre-order a special meal or stick with the standard offering.
If JetBlue wanted to take its menus to the next level, it should consider adding symbols for allergens and dietary restrictions. This way, those with special diets could better determine if the food offering suits their aversions and preferences.
Choice of bread
JetBlue offers a tapas-style service in Mint, giving you a choice of three out of five appetizer-size portions to build your own meal.
However, one thing you can't choose is your bread selection. Unlike the legacy carriers that offer flyers a pick from a bread basket, JetBlue gives each Mint flyer the same type of dinner roll.
Of course, this is minor in the grand scheme of things, but those who are used to business-class service on JetBlue's competitors might miss a pick from the bread basket (especially if it includes a pretzel roll).
Configuration isn't ideal
JetBlue's original Mint product is arranged in an alternating 1-1 and 2-2 configuration, spread across five rows. There are four total single suites, along with 12 couple seats in rows one, three and five.
If you're traveling alone, you might not love JetBlue's original Mint configuration. Sure, the "thrones" are great, but they represent just 25% of the cabin's footprint. If you're booking at the last minute, or if there are lots of solo travelers on your flight, odds are that you'll be stuck in one of the couple seats, which offer minimal privacy and much less storage.
Of course, the only way for JetBlue to improve the configuration is to retrofit its existing jets. Hopefully, that's something the airline is considering as its charting the future of the Mint experience.
Collecting headphones so early
Before JetBlue refreshed the Mint experience in late 2020, the airline used to give passengers a pair of subpar Grado SR80e Prestige Series Headphones to use throughout the flight.
Along with the new Mint came a new model of headphones for all premium-cabin flyers: Master and Dynamic MH40 over-ear headphones. These offer much better sound and significantly improved noise reduction compared to the legacy model.
The Master and Dynamic headphones retail for $299, and JetBlue is serious about them staying on the plane. Flight attendants pass through the cabin handing them out during boarding, and they're collected and tallied before the initial descent, roughly 45 minutes before landing.
While flight attendants offer flimsy earbuds for the remainder of the flight, it'd be great if JetBlue could figure out a system that allowed flyers to use the premium headphones until the plane is parked at the gate.
This one isn't only a JetBlue issue. The airline's new partner, American Airlines, also hands out premium headphones (Bang and Olufsen), and they're also collected and tallied well before landing.
Perhaps, both American and JetBlue could copy Lufthansa, which bolts a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 into the headphone jack, so flyers can use the top-notch earphones from takeoff to touchdown without worrying about them becoming a gift.
Bottom line
There's lots to love about the JetBlue Mint business-class experience.
Even on the carrier's oldest jets, the New York-based airline offers a top-notch product, especially in the single seats, along with delicious food, trendy amenity kits and personalized service for all.
That said, the original Mint product is quickly approaching its 9-year anniversary, and some elements of the experience are starting to show their age.
If JetBlue wants to keep winning awards, the airline ought to start planning for the future of the original Mint product.
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