If The Company and its all-business class flights have now gone down in history, the idea of transatlantic routes specialising in premium traffic.
Highly anticipated the arrival of JetBlue in Europe in summer 2021. The US carrier is due to begin flights from New York JFK and Boston to the airports of London Gatwick and Stansted.
JetBlue had initially requested slots at Heathrow. It finally received slots from the British authorities for the other two London hubs. These are fourteen weekly frequencies to Gatwick and 28 to Stansted. Gatwick would be linked to New York JFK, the airline's hub, while Stansted would be connected to Boston.
The appliance should be a Airbus A321LRthe long-haul version of this single-aisle aircraft. But instead of offering 200 seats in a single-class configuration, JetBlue will only be offering 24 for sale. The airline wishes to targeting the premium market with a unique business class.
At the beginning of the week, the carrier unveiled its new product "Transatlantic Mint Suite. JetBlue already offers four private "Mint Suites" in addition to its classic product on some thirty US domestic routes. But for its future transatlantic routes, the carrier has worked on a complete overhaul of its product.
Suites throughout the cabin
The Transatlantic Mint will offer greater privacy with 24 individual suites. Each suite will feature a seat-bed with a revolutionary mattress technology, a removable table, a 43 cm video screen, personalised storage spaces and telephone and electrical sockets. Two Mint Studios on the front of the aircraft will offer a superior comfort. The 'Studio' will include a 56 cm screen, an additional side table and a seat for a potential guest.
The company is aiming to win over business travellers with a very attractive pricing. It would be modelled on what JetBlue already offers between the East and West coasts. On transcontinental routes, the arrival of JetBlue has in fact helped to halve premium fares...
The airline's Managing Director, Robin Hayes, promises a similar effect on the transatlantic market. The latter would remain highly competitive despite the disappearance of many carriers in 2019 and 2020.
Especially since Jet Blue has big ambitions in Europe. The company has converted an order for 13 Airbus A321neo to A321XLRa very long-haul version. "The very extended range of the A321XLR means we can envisage more intercontinental destinations. Particularly in European markets plagued by high fares and poor service", said Robin Hayes at the time.
The delivery of the first A321LXR to the company will take place in 2023. By then, we can hope that the covid crisis will be a long way off...
