JetBlue

JetBlue’s new livery honors Puerto Rico

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JetBlue unveils a new special livery dedicated to Puerto Rico and people of Puerto Rican descent.

The Airbus 320 aircraft – tail N779JB – is named “Bluericua” and blends JetBlue’s brand with the affectionate name for people of Puerto Rican descent.

The airline says this custom-designed livery is inspired by JetBlue’s admiration for Puerto Rico’s dynamic culture, stunning beauty and the passionate spirit of its community.

It also is one way JetBlue is reaffirming its committment to Puerto Rico and a way for the carrier to remind people to consider Puerto Rico for their next vacation – or to consider a trip home.

JetBlue got help on the Bluericua design from JetBlue crewmembers based in San Juan, Aguadilla and Ponce, Puerto Rico. They identified key cultural symbols to help promote Puerto Rico as Bluericua travels around.

First up: vibrant shade of blue – the brightest JetBlue has used in its fleet, in keeping with the vibrancy of the island.

Layered on that backdrop is the iconic Puerto Rican skyline near El Morro, where seven kites are being flown, representing seven symbols of the island’s culture that include:

  • A Single Star, as inspired by the Puerto Rican flag
  • A Hexagon Kite, in the traditional “chiringa” style for Puerto Rico
  • Dominoes, the ever-present game at gatherings, with the double 6 being the highest tile
  • A Coqui, the singing tree frog and the unofficial symbol of Puerto Rico
  • A Hibiscus, the national flower of Puerto Rico
  • An Iguaca, the parrot found exclusively in El Yunque National Forest
  • and a Tambourine, to celebrate the importance and popularity of music in Puerto Rican culture

Bluericua’s kites start out at the Puerto Rican skyline and “fly” in unison toward the aircraft’s tail fin, to evoke, says JetBlue “feelings of being carefree and happy – all emotions that a trip to Puerto Rico can deliver.”

(Photos courtesy JetBlue)

 

Changes for the JetBlue TrueBlue program

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JetBlue has announced a batch of changes to its TrueBlue mileage program. 

Today JetBlue is sharing a bundle of changes to its TrueBlue mileage program.

In addition to a refreshed TrueBlue digital interface, the carrier is making these changes:

Family Pooling will become Points Pooling:

*Now a pool can be made up of 2 to 7 members of all ages. Anyone can be in the pool- not just people in your ‘real’ family.

*Instead of contributing a set percentage, members will now contribute 100% of their points to the pool. Members will be able to redeem or leave the pool with their unused points when they want to.

*The Pool Leader, formerly called the Head of Household (21 years of age or older), will be able to give other members in the pool privileges to redeem points from the entire pooled balance.

JetBlue also said its TrueBlue Badges – which give bonus points for a variety of activities – are “going on vacation” for a bit while that part of the program is revised.

JetBlue raises baggage fees 

JetBlue recently made some changes to its list of baggage fees, raising some fees above what other airlines currently charge.

For tickets purchased after August 27, 2018, the fee for checking the first bag goes up to $30 (from $25) and the fee for the checking a second bag goes up to $40 (from $35). The fee for checking a third bag (and any additional bags) will go up to $150 (from the current $100).

Message: Pack light!

See this chart for the other changes to the fees for checked bags on JetBlue.

What do you think of all these changes?

JetBlue delivering NY pizza – to LA!

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JetBlue is kicking off a 3-day promotion (May 9 to 12) delivering pizza – by airplane – from New York to Los Angeles residents living in certain zip codes.

The promotion is limited to 350 pizzas a day and customers can order the pizza by going to the Pie in the Sky website (The site wasn’t working Wed morning; this has happened with some of their previous promotions..) to place an order and pay for the pizza ($12-15, depending on the type). JetBlue is paying for the delivery and picking up the taxes.

If you’re in Los Angeles and don’t have a chance to order a NY pizza, you can still get a free slice.

JetBlue is hosting a pizza party Wed. May 9 from noon to 3 p.m. (Or while the pizza lasts..) at Los Angeles International Airport in Terminal 5 at the JetBlue check-in desk.

In the meantime – here’s Spike Lee to tell you how to eat a New York Pizza.

 

Travel Tidbits: from United and JetBlue

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United Airlines will open its Polaris lounge at San Francisco International Airport (at Gate  G92) on April 30 to passengers traveling in the premium cabin travel.

The two-level, 28,000 square foot lounge has 440 seats, 492 power outlets and USB ports, 5 daybeds with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, 8 shower suites, valets who will steam garments for you, a bistro-like buffet and a restaurant-style dining area.

At the bar, they’ll be serving cocktails inspired by the Bay Area including, says United, the Mai Tai, invented in Oakland in 1944, and the Pisco Punch, “featuring pisco which became all the rage during the California Gold Rush of 1849.”

Not flying through SFO? In addition to this new lounge and the existing one at Chicago O’Hare, United will open Polaris lounges at Newark Liberty International Airport in early June, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston this summer and at Los Angeles International Airport this fall.

United also introduced some food and beverage upgrades for passengers on board.

Starting May 1, pasengers can purchase egg and chicken chorizo tacos (breakfast/$8.99) and barbecue chicken sandwiches (lunch/dinner; $9.99) from the inflight menu and some interesting new beers and ales, including Lagunitas Sumpin’ Easy Ale, New Belgium’s Citradelic Tangerine IPA and, this summer,  Belgian pilsner Stella Artois ($7.99 each). 

For those flying on JetBlue’s Mint flights, be sure to open and take home the limited-edition amenity kit.

In addition to a keeper pair of SuperSoft socks from Basic Outfitters, the kit includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, eye mask, screen wipe, pen, earplugs and pillow pack, and a Hudson Made New York trio of lip salve, facial mist and hand cream – all tucked in a Hayward and Hopper collaboratively designed travel bag inspired by Dennis Hopper and Brooke Hayward’s Los Angeles home circa 1963.

 

JetBlue starts Mint service between Seattle and Boston

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This week JetBlue kicks off its “Mint” preimium service on updated Airbus A321 planes flying between Seattle and Boston, offering passengers who purchase the upgraded fares lie-flat beds, plated tapas-style meal selections, Molly Moon ice-cream and other welcome amenities.

I rode along on the first flight out of Seattle. Here are some pics from the trip.

Mint cabin seating is set up with either single suites or side-by-side seating.

The single Mint suites have an extra-large storage cabinet for belongings you want to keep near by.

In addition to complimentary alcoholic drinks and a seletion of tapas-sized dishes, Mint service out of Seattle includes ice-cream made by local favorite, Molly Moon.

Economy class seating features upgraded seats with adjustable headrests and larger in-flight entertainment screens.

And for those who get hungry during the flight, there’s a serve-yourself pantry with plenty of complimentary snacks and soft drinks.

Not flying between Seattle and Boston? JetBlue will offer its Mint service from Seattle to NY’s JFK starting in mid-April.