Industry experts have said that air travel will ever be the same again, and JetBlue has taken this prediction to heart.
The New York-based airline’s latest policy change will establish a new post-pandemic business model. Effective April 1, Passengers traveling Blue, Blue Extra, Blue Plus, and Mint fares will no longer be charged fees for changing or canceling a flight but must pay the ticket cost difference. Blue Basic passengers, or passengers using the economy option, may have to pay a change fee, depending on the route.
Passengers making same-day changes will incur a flat $75 fee but are not responsible for the ticket cost difference. Blue Extra passengers can make same-day changes on a complimentary basis. Before the changes, JetBlue charged change fees on a sliding scale based on ticket price.
In the summer of 2020, JetBlue and other airlines rushed to temporarily eliminate their change and cancellation policies shortly after United Airlines did so permanently in August.
Starting on July 20, JetBlue will scrap the overhead carry-on baggage allowance for its Blue Basic fares. Passengers traveling Blue, Blue Extra, Blue Plus, and Mint fares will be guaranteed overhead bin space and offered a $25 credit if it isn’t available. Blue Basic passengers will be allowed one personal item that can be stored under their seats.
Numerous airlines have adopted budget-friendly options to compete with Southwest Airlines and Spirit but hope to push customers to purchase standard fares.
“Currently, our Blue and Blue Basic offerings are very similar to each other,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue president and COO, said. “We need to better differentiate the two by making the Blue the gold standard while strategically focusing on lowering the price of Blue Basic.”
