JetBlue debuts new Mint amenity kits, menus in product revamp
JetBlue's Mint business class is already one of the best products in the sky, and it's getting even better with a full revamp of the soft product.
This includes all-new amenity kits, refreshed onboard menus and even some new inflight entertainment options, all of which will be debuting over the coming weeks.
The move comes as the airline is gearing up to expand its long-haul portfolio with the launch of flights to Dublin and Edinburgh.
You'll catch all the details of JetBlue's latest announcement below.
JetBlue new Mint amenity kits
The revamped onboard experience begins with new amenity kits, which, for the first time ever, will be offered in two different styles.
One will be available exclusively on domestic and short-haul international flights, and the other will be offered on service to Europe.
JetBlue is partnering with a selection of New York City-based brands for its amenity kits, including Caraa, Dr. Dennis Gross and Plus Ultra.
The domestic amenity kit comes in four colors — sage, clay, sand and gunmetal. It features a selection of staples, such as a Tuft and Needle-branded eyemask and earplugs, Dr. Dennis Gross hand cream and lip balm, and an exfoliating pad.
The kits also include socks, which seem to be of higher quality than the ones that airlines typically include in amenity kits.
Interestingly, with these new kits, JetBlue will now offer an eye mask and earplugs to all travelers. Previously, these were only available by-request-only in a separate "snooze kit" that was branded by Tuft and Needle.
It seems that the one downside to these new kits is that you won't receive a toothbrush or toothpaste on domestic flights. Instead, the kits are stocked with a small bottle of Plus Ultra mouthwash.
The Caraa-branded kits are reusable, and they make a great accessory pouch. If you receive more of these kits, you can snap them together to create a larger collection of pouches.
Meanwhile, the long-haul amenity kit is stocked with a few more goodies, such as a Plus Ultra bamboo dental kit and a deodorant wipe.
The real upgrade with the long-haul kit is that it can be reused as a foldable drawstring bag. This could come in the clutch if you're looking for a bag to carry some travel essentials while you explore London, Paris or Amsterdam.
In advance of the launch, JetBlue sent me some samples of its new amenity kits. They feel decidedly more premium than the previous ones, and the new brand partnerships seem to be just as hip and upscale as they were before.
New menus
Since late 2020, JetBlue has partnered with New York's Delicious Hospitality Group for its Mint menus, which are always a highlight of the airline's business-class experience.
The airline rotates the featured DHG restaurant every few months, and you'll find some picks from Legacy Records during the spring rotation.
Some of the seasonal dishes that will be offered include lamb shoulder with roasted carrots, harissa and citrus breadcrumbs, as well as orzo served with roasted tomatoes, marinated feta and arugula.
JetBlue's Core, or economy, cabin also includes complimentary meal service on flights to and from Europe. Since this service launched in 2021, the airline has offered picks from Dig.
The airline will maintain its tie-up with Dig, but it's debuting some new seasonal picks. They include marinated jerk chicken with coconut rice and pickled habanada peppers, served alongside shredded beet and carrot salad with candied sunflower seeds and a kale, parsley and quinoa salad.
As always, JetBlue does a great job of posting its menus (with associated allergens and dietary restrictions) online each month. Be sure to check out the airline's "inflight menus" page to preview what will be served on your flight.
More inflight entertainment options
JetBlue was one of the first airlines to offer seatback screens with live TV and movies for every passenger.
In March, the airline is adding some new content to its entertainment lineup, including a new "Luck of the Irish" category to coincide with the upcoming launch of Dublin flights.
Under this new category, you'll find such titles as "Brooklyn," "Belfast" and "The Quiet Girl."
The airline is also introducing a new "Awards Season" category, which will feature box office hits such as "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer."
While it's nice to see the airline diversify and refresh its content offerings, it's worth mentioning that JetBlue's original Mint product offers one of the most outdated TV screens available in the U.S.
The touchscreens aren't super responsive, and many of the remote controls don't work anymore. JetBlue hasn't announced a hard-product refresh for the Airbus A321 fleet with the original Mint product, so you'll likely still be better off bringing your own content onboard your next domestic flight. (The newer jets feature a much-upgraded entertainment screen.)
Bottom line
JetBlue remains one of the only domestic carriers to consistently refresh its onboard experience in business class.
This latest update includes new amenity kits, onboard menus and enhanced entertainment options.
Of course, a revamped soft product won't alone help JetBlue return to profitability, but it could certainly help the carrier win some more awards for the best domestic business-class product.
I just wish the airline would announce a long-overdue upgrade to its original Mint product, which is a decade old at this point.
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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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| 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. |
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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.