Summary

  • JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare now includes one carry-on bag, matching American and Delta’s offerings with basic fares.
  • Passengers with the Basic Blue fare are last to board, but may choose the Blue fare for earlier boarding and more benefits.
  • Recent changes at JetBlue include bringing back carry-on bags for Blue Basic fares, CEO change, and fleet transitions to Airbus A220.

Starting this fall, passengers flying on JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare will be able to take one carry-on bag on flights.

Carryon bags are back

Twelve years ago, Delta Air Lines became the first American carrier to introduce a basic economy fare. Five years later, American Airlines and United Airlines followed suit. The goal was to create a fare offering more competition to low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

LOS ANGELES, US - Sep 03, 2022: A JetBlue Airlines aircraft soaring against a blue sky backdrop.

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

JetBlue has its own basic economy product called Blue Basic. Passengers flying on the airline’s lowest fare are not eligible to take a carry-on bag on board, but only a personal item that fits under the seat. From September 6th, this will change. JetBlue announced earlier today that its Basic Blue passengers will be entitled to one carry-on bag in addition to their personal items.

By making this move, JetBlue can match the American and Delta’s offerings, which include carry-on bags with basic fares. Marty St. George, who recently returned to JetBlue as president, said the airline hopes to remain competitive.

“Carry-on bags are an important part of travel to customers, and when presented with a choice between JetBlue’s award-winning service and another carrier’s basic offering, we want JetBlue to be the easy winner. We’re always looking for ways to evolve our offering in response to customer preferences.”

It is important to note that passengers with the Basic Blue fare are the last to board, and overhead bin space is subject to availability on any flight. If passengers want to board earlier and have free advanced seat selection, the airline’s second-lowest fare, Blue, is the perfect option. The Blue fare also includes no cancelation or change fees and general boarding.

JetBlue A321 shutterstock_165731765

Photo: Kunertus | Shutterstock

Three years ago, JetBlue removed carry-on bags from the Blue Basic fares. The airline had said in an internal memo that removing the carry-on allowance was a way to set the Blue Basic price apart. Now, it is evident that the airline has seen the value of carry-ons and has reverted its decision.

Recent changes

Since the court ruling that JetBlue would not be able to acquire Spirit Airlines, the airline has been on a marching path forward and making changes. In recent months, the airline has had a CEO change and brought Marty St. George back as President. JetBlue has also announced future fleet plans and has taken several steps toward expansion.

Earlier this year, JetBlue shared it would begin phasing out its Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft and opt to move forward with the Airbus A220. Earlier this week, Simple Flying reported that from April 2025, JetBlue will no longer operate the Embraer aircraft from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Related

JetBlue Planning To Shift All Embraer E190 Operations At New York-JFK To Boston Before Retirement

The Airbus A220 has been Embraer’s main rival in the aircraft market. Following the success of its E-Jets, Embraer developed the E2 family, which includes the E190-E2 and E195-E2. However, neither of the latest-generation jets operates in the US. JetBlue’s A220s have 140 seats, slightly more than the E195-E2s’ capacity of 132 passengers. JetBlue has added more since its first order for A220s and will operate a fleet of 100.

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