Inside JetBlue's First 'Phase 2' Retrofitted Airbus A320
JetBlue's fleet is certainly getting up there in age. The airline's first Airbus A320, N503JB, was delivered way back in 1999, and is still flying for the carrier today. Soon, however, passengers boarding even the oldest aircraft in the carrier's fleet will feel like they're traveling on a brand-new plane, thanks to a massive fleet-wide overhaul program aimed at bringing the carrier's workhorse aircraft up to date.
JetBlue is undergoing a two-stage retrofit process, with 15 aircraft now complete as part of "Phase 1," and the first "Phase 2" A320 re-entering service any day. While the first batch represented a huge improvement overall — adding the airline's A321 seat to a handful of older A320s — the latest-generation retrofit has landed JetBlue a truly industry-leading narrow-body plane, as I experienced during a pre-launch visit at the airline's Lake City, Florida (LCQ) contractor facility this week.
Cabin Overview
As part of the retrofit, JetBlue is adding two rows of seats, for a total of 162, up from 150 on the original A320 configuration. As a result, the carrier is adding a fourth cabin crew member as well, with a total of four flight attendants working the cabin.
The cabin now features a slick low-light mode, enabling this cool blue glow on nighttime flights.
You'll find the two extra rows of seats at the rear of the cabin, replacing the lavatories on the older configuration (don't worry, they've just been moved). The one notable downside here is that row 26 only offers one window, while the last row in the cabin, 27, doesn't have any at all.
All seats are arranged in a 3-3 configuration, and offer a whopping 18.4 inches of width. Pitch has been reduced slightly to 32 inches in most rows, with 35 inches in Even More Space, though a slimmer seat design means the difference should hardly be noticeable — that was my experience, at least.
There's a large lavatory just behind the cockpit — if you're seated near the front of the plane, that's the one I'd pick.
The rear lavatories, meanwhile, have been moved to the rear galley. They're still decently spacious — especially the one on the left.
Seats and Amenities
N729JB is the first JetBlue aircraft to feature Collins Aerospace's Meridian seat. Despite the slim-line design, I found them to be really comfortable, thanks to the airline's decision to add memory foam padding.
These seats also offer fully adjustable headrests, making them far more comfortable when it comes time to sleep. They have an entirely different look, too, with orange accents highlighting the Even More Space (extra-legroom) seats, for example.
Each passenger has access to a 10.1-inch in-flight entertainment system, and a full-size fold-down tray table.
There are also two water bottle pockets, plus this nifty holder, which makes it easy to secure small items (a charging smartphone, perhaps) with elastic straps.
Finally, JetBlue slightly reduced the recline, making it easier to use a laptop even when the passenger in front is leaning all the way back. (Thanks to Eric Dunetz for snapping this photo!)
In-Flight Entertainment
JetBlue opted for the Thales AVANT seat-back entertainment system — the same model you'll find on the latest long-haul aircraft, flying with carriers ranging from American Airlines to Emirates.
In addition to touchscreen support (no armrest controllers here!), JetBlue was able to fully customize the Android-based interface, starting the experience with a fun personality-identifying quiz that offers up content suggestions based on the options you select.
You can also access the full list of movies and TV shows, of course — everything's available free of charge, and the films I tried looked great, with an HD-quality image. This version of JetBlue's IFE also offers 100+ channels of free DirecTV with a new DVR-like feature that lets you pause and re-start programming.
In addition to USB power ports below the display, every row now offers universal power outlets — one for every seat in Even More Space rows, and two for each set of three seats throughout the rest of the plane.
This is also the first aircraft to feature an updated version of JetBlue's free gate-to-gate Fly-Fi internet service, which connects to the new ViaSat-2 satellite, delivering more bandwidth and much-expanded coverage, including almost all of Central America, the Caribbean and even parts of South America.
Bottom Line
I flew JetBlue's original A320 configuration from New York-JFK to Jacksonville (JAX) and back to check out this first refurbished plane, and as much as I loved the aircraft's thick leather seats, the seat-back entertainment and the cabin overall felt quite dated, especially after seeing the refreshed version in Florida.
With the first 'Phase 2' retrofitted A320 expected to re-enter service later this week — and up to seven aircraft progressing through the process each month — frequent JetBlue flyers should have a chance to experience the updated interior for themselves soon.
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| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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.