As much as I’d like to claim credit for the catchy title above, it’s actually the name of the Airbus A321 flown for this review of jetBlue’s sparkling new US transcon service, aptly called ‘Mint.’ Ticket prices for this impressive coast-to-coast travel range from an ultra-thrifty $599 to a still-thrifty $999 per-person one-way (before fees), depending on how far in advance you book your flight. In this editor’s opinion, it’s a steal at either price, especially compared to first class fares of competing legacy US carriers that run between $1,100 and $2,000 per-person one-way. Seating in the Mint cabin is arranged in alternating rows of twin-seats (Rows 1, 3, and 5) and private suites (Rows 2 and 4) with sixteen seats total. Surprisingly, there is no price difference between the two. Suites are simply sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, and although the large twin-seats offer great comfort and the same recline and lie-flat bed features as the suite, there’s really no comparison to having your very own private compartment complete with sliding door. The suite also offers much more storage space including an outsize 12-inch by 32-inch shelf below the windows.
Seat and amenities
jetBlue’s Mint experience begins well before boarding with a dedicated check-in line and ultra-convenient express PreCheck status at TSA security checkpoints. Upon entering the aircraft as first to board, Mint passengers find luxurious oversize pillows and blankets, a ‘Snooze Kit’ containing eyeshades and earplugs, and a welcome card with the names of their two Mint flight attendants. (No amenity kits were on the seats, as those are personally handed-out later in the flight.) Seats measure 22 inches across – the widest seats available on any US domestic flight today.
Although seat pitch can’t be measured in the traditional sense, leg room in the footwell ahead of your seat is 54 inches – a staggering statistic for non-international airline service. Footwells are wider at the window seats (22 inches) than those at the aisle seats or suites (14 inches). Private suites measure 54 inches from window to aisle, and a generous 50 inches from the rear wall of your compartment to the rear of the twin seats in front of you. All Mint seats are equipped with air-bag-augmented seatbelts for maximum comfort and safety.
The seats themselves are quite handsome, covered in supple charcoal gray leather with Royal Blue stitching. There are three settings available as shown on a user-friendly pictogram control panel. For takeoff and landing the seat must be in its fully upright position, but a ‘Relax’ setting moves the seat smoothly into BARCO lounger mode with raised footrest. The ‘Bed’ setting articulates into a 6-foot 8-inch lie-flat bed, although you are almost lying on the floor and restricted in width by the seat side walls. Seats also feature lumbar back-support cushioning and a smooth wave-like massage if desired.
Dasani water bottles are tucked neatly into special holders at each seat, and side panels include dual 110-volt power outlets with two USB ports, plus a push-button over-the-shoulder reading light. A ‘Wake Me’ button signals flight attendants for service at your beck-and-call.
One small surprise was finding seats 5A and 5C at left rear of the Mint cabin situated directly in front of the Economy cabin’s forward lavatory. If seated there, be prepared to endure the sounds of distant canon fire as that lavatory toilet is flushed continuously throughout the flight.
Customer service on board
While cabin service was excellent on both my flights, the New York-bound crew was truly exemplary. Lead Flight Attendant Erin brought a grace, elegance, and precision to the flight that harkened back to the luxurious days of Connies and Stratocruisers during the Golden Age of air travel. Mint flight attendants are not only specially selected and specially trained for this exceptional service, but share a high esprit de corps as the best of the best.
The finishing touch to the flight is a customized and gender-specific amenity kit personally delivered to your seat. Containing an array of grooming aides for men and beauty products for women, this fine collection of goods is provided by Birchbox. After another round of hot towels, a small box of Mah ze Dahr bakery treats is delivered to your seat prior to landing, and the Mint experience is now complete.
Catering
Service on my outbound LAX-JFK flight was impeccable, with drinks, hot towels, and meals all served within our first hour in the air. jetBlue’s signature ‘RefreshMint’ beverage of honey-infused limeade with fresh mint and your choice of vodka or plain was served before leaving the gate.
The menu contained a fine selection of dishes, with a cocktail and small serving of chilled soup beginning the meal. You could select any three of the five entrees listed – two hot dishes and one cold. On the outbound flight, I chose Corn custard & poached lobster, Roasted Atlantic cod in a tomato-caper broth, and Ribeye steak with fingerling potatoes. Although serving sizes were modest, the food was served fresh and piping hot, and tasted excellent. Meals are inspired by New York’s popular Saxon + Parole gourmet restaurant, a fitting establishment for this level of service.
For my wine selection, I chose a Honig Sauvignon Blanc which was served slightly chilled and complemented the meal beautifully. All onboard wines are carefully selected by Josh Wesson, jetBlue’s award-winning sommelier. Dessert was either a seasonal fruit salad or ice cream from Brooklyn’s famed Blue Marble or both. Complimentary beverages, light snacks, and fresh fruits were available throughout the flight at a small buffet set-up in the galley aft of the Mint cabin.
Inflight entertainment
If there’s one thorn on jetBlue’s mint leaf, it’s their A321’s inflight entertainment system with its odd combination of early and current-generation technology. The 15-inch (diagonal) TV shows six different entertainment options, but is operated by a wired remote attached to the armrest that looks like a throwback to the 1990s.
On my JFK-LAX flight, the SIRIUS XM Satellite radio was inoperative, and I learned that several recent Mint flights had to be downgraded to non-Mint A320s when the entire IFE system failed to work on a new A321. An upgraded Thales system with the latest software is in the works, although a release date has not been announced.
There are 100 channels of DirecTV programming, 100-plus channels of SIRIUS XM radio (when it’s operating), a movie channel and inflight Map Channel. Image quality on the flat-screen TV is outstanding, and not as affected by outside sunlight as many earlier-technology inflight screens. High-fidelity Grado Labs SR60e padded headphones give passengers exceptional audio quality including a sub-woofer sound as good as any recording studio-playback. (Headphones do have to be returned.)
Extra information
Overall, flying aboard jetBlue’s new Mint A321 represents a unique and most pleasurable airline experience, enhanced all the more by the tremendous value of the ticket price. Like flying on the aforementioned Constellations and Stratocruisers of yesteryear, passengers are treated to a relaxed and luxurious inflight experience that is unquestionably superior in comfort, convenience, dining, and entertainment. Currently available on all five daily non-stop flights between New York and Los Angeles, Mint service will be added to the New York-San Francisco route this October.
Unlike luxury airliners of yore, however, Mint passengers receive this consummate service in a new twin-engine digital-age jetliner flying at nearly the speed of sound at 38,000 feet. In this editor’s opinion, jetBlue Mint is quite simply the best value in air travel today.
SUGGESTED READ: Our review of jetBlue’s Economy Class Extra Space Seat here
Book your Mint experience with jetBlue here
Mike flew as a guest of jetBlue on September 22nd and 23rd, 2014.
