Going on vacation is exciting, and flying first class is like an extra bonus trip on top of it. On long flights especially, choosing to fly first class can make all the difference when you’re settling into your new destination or returning home. You arrive at your next stop feeling refreshed and taken care of (you deserve it!) and ready to take on the world.
JetBlue has long been my favorite airline, so when I realized I could use points from my travel credit card to buy a first class flight on their “Mint” program, I didn’t hesitate. JetBlue Mint provides an exceptional first class experience, and I landed after my red eye ready to get to work (… though I may have closed my eyes for a few minutes by the pool first 😉 ).
This post, which for the record is not sponsored by JetBlue, is about why you should book a JetBlue Mint first class flight without doubt. A few of the perks might surprise you!
1) Separate Check In
If you are Mint or Mosaic, you get a separate check-in booth at the airport. Now while you might be thinking “Why would I need this?”, imagine the following scenario: you are packing for a multi-destination trip and need a lot of variety in your clothes. It might snow, it might rain, and you need to be prepared! You have several pieces of luggage to check in and when you get to the airport, you have to lug them all to a confusing ticket printing machine and then wait in a meandering line. So unpleasant. Not a deal breaker, but imagine how nice it would be to stroll up to a dedicated check-in area where they can take care of all that for you.
Or, imagine you are running late but have carry-on luggage with you… and when you arrive at the airport, the regular line is out the door. Now this does become a deal breaker for you since waiting in that long line can mean missing your flight!
JetBlue has a special check-in dedicated to Mint (first class) and Mosaic (frequent flier) customers. This means a much shorter line. And, in my personal experience, they’re much more forgiving about bags that are slightly overweight (see giant suitcase below).
2) First To Board
JetBlue Mint and Mosaic passengers are first to board the plane (after folks who need assistance of course). This is a huge relief for those who want to get settled right away or need guaranteed space for their carry-on. Plus you have more time to enjoy the comfy seats, and the…
3) Good Plane Food and Drinks
JetBlue Mint's plane food is far more edible than most. It’s great for those with allergies too. I have celiac, which means I can’t have gluten or anything that has touched gluten. The attendants were all very considerate about looking up what I could and couldn’t eat and made the necessary modifications when possible. For example, the ice cream dessert came with a crumble that they simply didn’t have to put on… and voila, it was gluten free! (I loved the peach sauce).
The drinks are a huge part of Mint’s appeal. If you’re the type that likes to indulge or needs alcohol to put you to sleep while in the air, you can get as many drinks as you want at no extra cost. They have one in particular that I’ve tried to replicate at home. Aptly named “Mint Condition,” it has gin, club soda, ginger, lime, cucumber, and mint of course.
4) Comfy Lie-Flat Seats
It is hard to overstate how important the seats are. On long flights, these Mint seats are a godsend. For someone under 6 feet, you can fully lie down and hopefully get some rest. Even if you’re just looking to watch a movie and not fall asleep, the recline and spacious accommodations make the experience a significant upgrade. The seats even have a built-in massager that can work on your back in preparation for your trip.
5) Blanket and Headphones Are Included
If you’re anything like me, the idea of taking an extra item to the airport feels… exhausting. I try to be a light packer most of the time, and bringing unnecessary items bothers me. It pains me to bring carry-on blankets or even bulky sweaters during summer travel. Planes get very cold, though, so a solution is necessary. With JetBlue Mint, a Tuft & Needle blanket is waiting on your seat upon arrival. This was a total game changer for my packing and airport experience. The blanket was thick and substantial enough to keep me warm, even as I wore a strapless summer dress to the airport.
6) The Goodie Bag
Now, while it may have been a while since you received a goodie bag from a friend’s birthday party, getting one is still a great feeling. The suspense as you contemplate what’s inside, the surprise as you open it… so much mystery! It’s a fun adventure, and JetBlue doesn’t disappoint. Most, if not all, of the items are deliberately allergen free, which was great for a celiac like me who has to read the ingredients on a lip balm. Their oxygen spritzer quickly became a new favorite travel essential and made my skin feel super fresh. They also included some melatonin and energy mints to help you fall asleep and wake up, respectively.
They also gave out a bag of delicious chocolate-covered cashews, which taste like a "healthier" version of those truffles that are super popular around Christmas time. A delicious and great finale to the flight.
7) Great Service
JetBlue provides exceptional service to facilitate the “Mint experience.” Flight attendants were very gracious and friendly, and it was just an all-around pleasant atmosphere. My seatmate and I got several rounds of drinks and didn’t have to flag anyone down – they very attentively anticipated our needs, a testament to the program’s hospitality.
A former JetBlue flight attendant told me that JetBlue’s CEO used to come around and be an attendant himself from time to time! I’m not sure if that’s still true, but business standards really do start from the top and I wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case.
In Sum...
The dedicated check-in, priority boarding, food & drink options, comfy lie-flat seats, blanket & headphone provision, goodie bag, and great service are a few reasons why you shouldn’t wait to book your next flight with JetBlue Mint. Make sure to bring some plane slippers and get ready to sink into the lie-flat seats. The perks live up to the cost of the ticket, and you’ll get to your next destination feeling rejuvenated and ready to conquer the world.
BONUS TIP: You don’t have to purchase a Mint ticket online to get a seat. If they have space available, you can upgrade at the front desk for $499-$699 in most cases. If you want to fly Mint and are comfortable winging it, this can be a great trick for less popular flights.