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SALT LAKE CITY — The discount airline JetBlue Airways is making a big change to their seating and strategy.
When JetBlue launched in 2000 it was a welcome departure from other big time airlines for frugal fliers.
The airline offered planes with all coach seats and free Direct TV in every seat back. The airline prided itself on cheap tickets and humble accommodations. Times have changed, however, and the airline has now released plans of redesigned premium seats.
JetBlue is calling the new seats “suites” and they convert into lie-flat beds and even have sliding doors to wall the passenger from the aisle. The premium seats will also offer hot meals and free alcoholic drinks.
The airline plans to make the new seats available on flights to L.A. and San Francisco from New York.
While the new seats seem to turn JetBlue into the kind of airline they made a point to avoid becoming, they still plan on keeping costs lower than the competition.
Most airlines charge around $4,000 for a round-trip ticket in first class or business class for a flight from New York to L.A. JetBlue currently charges between $600 and $700 for a round-trip ticket, and they plan on charging somewhere between their current prices and the competition for the premium seats.
JetBlue plans on making the new seats available on a few dozens aircrafts this fall.
