JetBlue unveils first ever airport lounge, BlueHouse
JetBlue Airways’ new lounge at JFK Terminal 5 is BlueHouse.
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airlines‘ The first airport lounge since he started flying nearly 26 years ago is here, inspired by a New York City apartment – but bigger.
The 9,000-square-foot lounge, called BlueHouse, will open at 5 a.m. Dec. 18 at the airline’s headquarters at John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 5.
Seating area in JetBlue’s new airport lounge
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
With new space, JetBlue joins larger carriers Delta Airlines and credit card companies To follow, American Express And Capital One In the industry’s never-ending struggle for customers willing to spend more on travel. He is not alone in the race. Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC on Wednesday that the airline is “actively pursuing” a network of airport lounges.
JetBlue plans to open another BlueHouse at its Boston hub next year.
The second floor of JetBlue’s first airport lounge.
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
The airline said the two-story JFK lounge is designed in an art deco style, features free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating and takeaway New York standards like bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast and pastrami on rye later in the day. Beverage providers include Joe Coffee and beer bar chain Greats of Craft.
The lounge’s cocktail partner is bar Please Don’t Tell, and just like the East Village speakeasy, not everyone can get in.
Here’s who:
- Customers booked JetBlue’s trans-Atlantic Mint business class cabin. They can bring one free guest and each additional visitor is $39.
- Owners of JetBlue Premier MasterCard With a credit card, you can bring the first guest for free and pay $39 for each guest thereafter.
- Mosaic 4 elite frequent flyer status holders, who are at the top tier of JetBlue’s loyalty program.
The airline plans to sell tickets to lower-status members, customers traveling nationwide in the Mint cabin and other credit card holders and lounge members starting in February, but the airline has not announced pricing.
JetBlue said customers traveling on basic economy tickets are not entitled to free access or one-time passes.
JetBlue said its first lounge was inspired by a classic New York City apartment.
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
BlueHouse’s 140-person capacity makes it smaller than the spaces offered by some of its larger rivals, despite having a smaller network.
New York-based JetBlue spent months pruning unprofitable routes and redeploying its aircraft to better position itself for high-end leisure travel and a return to profitability.
The airline recently partnered with United AirlinesWhich doesn’t fly out of JFK but operates a huge hub in Newark, New Jersey.
