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Transportation
Review by Thomas Pallini
- JetBlue introduced its version of a basic economy fare in November 2019, following suit with numerous competitors.
- The Blue Basic fare charges for advance seat assignments, restricts changes, and forces passengers to board last.
- During the pandemic, however, new social distancing policies that block seats and change-up the boarding process means the fare is actually a better value.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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JetBlue Airways joined the basic economy bandwagon in November 2019 after holding out the longest compared to most of its competitors who have been all too eager to squeeze additional revenue from passengers. Nearly all full-service carriers in the US now have a basic economy fare, with the only exception being Southwest Airlines.
The introduction of the "Blue Basic" fare, as JetBlue refers to it, was almost inevitable. Recent years have seen JetBlue slowly adopt the ancillary fee culture of the majors like charging for checked bags, though the passenger-friendly staples – including complimentary in-flight entertainment and unlimited brand-name snacks and beverages – have remained.
The cheapest fares at JetBlue were rebranded under the Blue Basic brand with fewer amenities included. Normally complimentary perks – like an advanced seat assignment – are now subject to a premium under the fare.
But the pandemic has upended the ancillary fee model for airlines following the move by US carriers starting in February to temporarily suspended change and cancel fees for flights as a way to maintain confidence in flying and spur new bookings. Then, some airlines began blocking dreaded middle seats as a way to promote aerial social distancing.
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Basic economy, as a result, doesn't have the same drawbacks it used to, especially on JetBlue as I found on a recent flight from New York to Chicago with the fare.
Here's what it's like flying basic economy on JetBlue.
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JetBlue now offers three types of tickets in economy, with Blue Basic is the lowest available fare class behind Blue – the regular economy fare.
There are three main differences as Blue Basic charges for advance seat assignments, restricts changes and cancellations, and assigns the last the group when boarding the airplane.
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When attempting to book the fare, the JetBlue website stops customers with this pop-up, one last reminder of the differences in the fare types. Basically, this warning serves as the point of no return.
Seat selection with Blue Basic comes at a cost, with regular seats on a two-hour flight from New York to Chicago ranging from $12-$5. Prices vary depending on aircraft and the flight's duration.
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Prices gradually lowered for seats the further back in the plane.
The exit row seats were jacked up to $67, though they included extra legroom, priority boarding, and expedited security, where available.
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Otherwise, seats were automatically assigned at check-in, up to 24 hours in advance.
But luckily for thrifty flyers, JetBlue is huge on social distancing and is blocking seats on its jets until October.
Source: JetBlue Airways
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Aisle seats for solo travelers on the smaller Embraer E190 aircraft – on which I was flying to Chicago and is configured in a 2-2 configuration – were blocked.
The same goes for middle seats on its Airbus A320...
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So even though I didn't pay for a seat, I knew I'd get a window seat and I was in no rush to get off the plane so it didn't matter where I sat.
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And I didn't have to stay in my seat as I could swap to any open seat for free, which some other airlines don't allow with basic economy.
Another perk of JetBlue's basic economy is that carry-on bags are still allowed for free. Checked bags are still $30 each if purchased on JetBlue's website.
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Not only that, but JetBlue is waiving change and cancel fees for all of its tickets booked through October 15 so I could make as many changes as I wanted, even with the restrictive fare.
Source: JetBlue Airways
Flying basic economy was shaping up to be less scary than the airline's warnings had made it out to be and I was ahead of the game, by far.
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The next test would come at the gate. JetBlue's normal boarding order is back to front – with the exception of elites and those who paid to board early – but all Blue Basic passengers normally board last.
JetBlue changed its boarding order during the pandemic, however, so that boarding is performed back to front by rows, with no regard for the type of ticket purchased.
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The first section called included rows 25-20 and as I was in 21A, I was among the first on the plane.
Some airlines are adopting back to front boarding as it means passengers in the back do not have to walk through a planeload of people.
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I was at my seat quicker than most on the plane despite being in one of the last five rows and with a basic economy ticket.
Not paying to reserve this seat in advance was the easiest $5 I've ever saved.
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I had the whole row to myself...
And got the classic JetBlue hospitality.
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It was smooth sailing to Chicago and I didn't pay a cent more than I had to.
The E190 is the best choice of aircraft when flying on JetBlue since flying on it guarantees having an entire row – albeit a two-seat row – to one's self until the practice ends.
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The only reasons to pay extra for a seat with the fare, I found, are if getting off the plane a few minutes before everybody else is truly worth the extra expense or you want to ensure a specific seat type (aisle or window) if flying on one of JetBlue's Airbus jets.
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