Above: a seat in Mint
By the Caribbean Journal staff
JetBlue Airways is continuing its Caribbean push with another big move: the addition of its Mint premium service on certain flights to the region.
Beginning with seasonal service in November, the carrier will be offering Mint on flights from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport to both Barbados and Aruba.
That will make JetBlue the only US carrier to offer regularly-scheduled lie-flat seats to the Caribbean.
“Ever since we launched Mint, customers have been asking us where we will take it next,” said Marty St George, executive vice president for commercial and planning at JetBlue. “We re-invented transcontinental flying with Mint, and we anticipate demand for an enhanced product will be equally strong for these Caribbean destinations.”
The Mint premium class will include amenities like a tapas-style menu curated by New York restaurant Saxon+Parole, organic desserts by Blue Marble Ice Cream, amenity kits from Birchbox and a “sweet treat” from Mah-ze-Dahr Bakery.
For now, the service will launch with roundtrip flights on Saturdays to Aruba and Barbados.
Between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4, JetBlue will operate one roundtrip flight daily during the holiday season.
“Since JetBlue began flying to Aruba in 2006, we have built a strong partnership that connects the airline’s customers with the very best our island has to offer,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. “We’re pleased to see that partnership strengthen with new service to our island on the A321 aircraft featuring Mint so that travelers will also enjoy the very best experience the air.”
According to an analysis by Caribbean Journal, a sample roundtrip flight for one person from New York to Aruba on Mint cost around $2,612.50, including taxes and fees. (That covered a roundtrip flight departing and arriving Nov. 14-21, respectively.)