JetBlue fare options change as airline prepares BlueFirst cabin

JetBlue fare options are being reorganized around cabin type and ticket flexibility as the carrier prepares to introduce BlueFirst, its domestic first-class product, later this year. The change affects how customers see economy, extra-legroom and first-class choices on JetBlue’s booking page, according to details from JetBlue reported by CNBC.

The airline is dropping the current “Core” label and moving economy fares into a “Main” category. Travelers will first choose the kind of seat they want: Main economy, Even More extra-legroom seats, or BlueFirst domestic first class. They will then choose among fare rules that determine price, refund treatment, seat selection and loyalty earning.

What are JetBlue's new fare options?

JetBlue’s new fare structure uses three main ticket types: Base, Standard and Flex. A fare tier is the rule package attached to a seat, so two passengers in the same cabin may have different refund rights, change terms or loyalty earnings depending on the fare they buy.

• Base is the lowest-priced option. JetBlue says it includes a carry-on bag but not seat selection. The ticket can be refunded as a travel credit, changes or cancellations carry a fee, and customers earn 1 TrueBlue point for each dollar spent.

• Standard includes seat selection and removes change and cancellation fees, although a passenger would still owe any fare difference. Travelers buying Standard fares earn 3 TrueBlue points for each dollar spent.

• Flex includes the Standard features and allows refunds to be returned to the original form of payment, according to JetBlue.

The company’s Even More seats, which offer additional legroom, will continue to include earlier boarding and priority airport screening, according to CNBC. BlueFirst is the name JetBlue has chosen for its forthcoming domestic first-class cabin, though the airline has not announced a launch date beyond saying it is planned for later this year.

How does Mint fit into the new structure?

JetBlue’s Mint product, the lie-flat business-class cabin used on longer routes such as transcontinental flights and service to European cities including Paris, London and Milan, will have only Standard and Flex fare choices, CNBC reported. JetBlue is not adding a Base-style fare for Mint.

That decision differs from moves by United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which CNBC reported introduced basic business-class fares this year. Airlines have been separating the seat and the service bundle more finely across cabins, including premium areas of the aircraft. United also said this month that it will charge extra on some aircraft for a blocked middle seat, according to CNBC.

The fare redesign comes as carriers seek more revenue from passengers willing to pay for added space, priority treatment or more flexible ticket rules. For JetBlue, the new structure also prepares the booking system for BlueFirst, giving the airline a basic, standard and flexible framework across much of the cabin map.

JetBlue is scheduled to report results on Tuesday, according to CNBC. The company has not provided additional details in the reported material on BlueFirst pricing, routes or the exact timing of the rollout.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.