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JetBlue hoping to shed discount airline brand with first-class seating, airport lounges in 2026

Beginning in 2026, JetBlue Airways will introduce domestic first-class seating with a recliner-style cabin bridging economy and Mint business class, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Facing nearly $3 billion in losses since 2020, JetBlue is recalibrating its business after years of financial strain, with President Marty St. George saying customers want `unique experiences`.
Certification work shows first-class certification is ongoing, with prototype first-class cabins expected in June 2026 and A320 aircraft installations starting in August, as JetBlue modifies roughly 20 aircraft per month.
The airline will open its first airport lounges in New York and Boston while cutting dozens of unprofitable routes nationwide to focus on leisure travelers in the Eastern United States.
The move departs from JetBlue's long-standing brand identity, as insiders call the new first-class options `Mini Mint` or `Junior Mint`.

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