Mount Yoshino in the Nara Prefecture is one of Japan’s most popular spots for cherry blossom (sakura) viewing. There’s a wide range of varieties and approximately 30,000 cherry trees and according to Japan Travel, they were planted over 1300 years ago. In spring, the area gets extremely busy with people traveling to see the light pink to white flowers with a backdrop of the region’s stunning natural landscape peppered with historic temples, hillside towns, and must-visit cities. This other-worldly natural phenomenon is so famous that people plan bucket-list vacations to Japan during the season in order to see the trees in full glory. But if you don’t like the idea of walking through crowds of people on cramped paths, you might want to consider a more luxurious way to enjoy the sakura and book a helicopter flight with AIROS Skyview. Matador Network reached out to AIROS Skyview to chat about the various routes they offer and how you can tailor-make your own cherry blossom voyage to take in the collage of colors from the sky.
No more Blade helicopter rides: JetBlue scraps unique Mosaic elite status perk
23.09.2024 - 21:25 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy
JetBlue made a major splash last week when it revealed that it will open its first-ever airport lounges in New York and Boston, a move that will bolster the allure of top-tier elite status in its TrueBlue loyalty program.
But there are also a couple of cutbacks coming to Mosaic status, JetBlue revealed, including the elimination of one of the more unique elite status perks currently offered by any U.S. airline.
The end of 2024 will spell the end of JetBlue's Blade helicopter benefit, the New York-based carrier said in an email to customers.
Plus, starting in 2025, JetBlue will remove some of the leniency afforded to Mosaic members traveling on a no-frills Blue Basic ticket, including free access to its extra legroom seats.
Here's what to know about the upcoming changes.
Currently, TrueBlue members with top-tier Mosaic 4 elite status receive credits for four one-way transfers on Blade's choppers between Manhattan and either New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The perk offers Mosaic elite members hundreds of dollars in annual value, and — as Northeast travelers know all too well — potentially hours of traffic avoided by taking the five-minute chopper ride.
But this perk will end after 2024, JetBlue said in an email to TrueBlue members.
If you have Blade credits, don't worry — but do read carefully: You can use your credits beyond 2024. However, you'll need to transfer those credits to your Blade account by Dec. 31, 2024, or they'll be forfeited.
Removing the Blade perk seems to represent something of a give-and-take for the Mosaic 4 status tier.
While Mosaic 4 elite members will lose Blade as a perk of the status, they'll get complimentary access to JetBlue's forthcoming lounges at JFK and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), which are slated for opening in late 2025. (Transatlantic Mint passengers and cardholders of a soon-to-be-announced premium JetBlue credit card will also get free lounge access.)
Related: A look at Chase's splashy Sapphire Lounge in Boston
Also announced as part of JetBlue's TrueBlue program tweak: a few added restrictions for basic economy passengers — specifically, elite status members traveling on a basic ticket.
Beginning March 1, 2025, Mosaic members traveling on Blue Basic fares will lose some of their perks and flexibility.
Mosaic members will no longer be eligible for free Even More Space seats, free preferred seats or free same-day switches.
Those three benefits are signature perks for all Mosaic members. In the past, they've also offered Mosaic passengers an avenue to pay less for a Blue Basic ticket while still skirting some of the restrictions most customers face when flying on a basic fare.
That
How to Get More Out of a Vacation With Delta Vacations
What’s better than booking a customer? Booking a customer who is engaged with the product you’re selling and who is loyal to you, their trusted Travel Advisor. The best way to gain that trust? Make sure they’re getting the most out of their vacation, a great experience from start to finish, and a head start on their next getaway. Delta Vacations can help you provide just that, with every booking.
American's AAdvantage is now JetSmart’s loyalty program; more flights qualify for AA for miles
Members of American Airlines AAdvantage have a new option in South America via budget airline JetSmart.
How cruise ship stabilizers make your vacation at sea more comfortable
Cruise ship stabilizers are features built into the ship to reduce its side-to-side motion (or roll). Though most cruise ships have a variety of active and passive design elements working to provide a smoother ride for passengers, the retractable wing-type stabilizers on the sides of the ship below the water line are the kind the average passenger commonly thinks about.
Capitalize on Alaska-Hawaiian merger: Potential strategies to maximize your miles, elite status and more
Attention, points and miles enthusiasts: You've probably been keeping up with the breaking aviation news regarding Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. On Tuesday, the merger was finalized, and details were revealed regarding how the two airlines would continue to operate while maintaining their distinct brands.
For the First Time Ever, JetBlue Will Finally Have Its Own Airport Lounges
JetBlue announced on Thursday it would open its first-ever lounges, at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). The new premium spaces are set to debut in late 2025, first at the airline’s JFK Terminal 5 hub followed “soon after” by a JetBlue lounge space in Boston Logan’s Terminal C.
Delta Reveals New Summer 2025 Schedule, Adding More Flights to Spain, Italy, and Ireland
Summer travel planning just got easier.Delta Air Lines announced their summer 2025 travel schedule with new or increased service to popular destinations from Barcelona to Naples. The airline will operate its «largest-ever» summer schedule, with 700 weekly flights. Delta will begin new service to Catania, Sicily in Italy, as well as new routes to Barcelona, Dublin, Naples, Rome, the airline shared in an announcement. With a high level of passengers from the United States traveling to Italy, Delta will be increasing its seat availability by 10 percent with more weekly flights to Milan, Naples, and Rome. These will include four weekly flights from Atlanta to Naples, as well as four new weekly flights from Minneapolis-St.
Emirates Is Making Flying out of the U.S. More Luxurious — Here’s How
Dubai-based airline Emirates is expanding its premium economy service in the United States by bringing an upgraded cabin to six new routes.
JetBlue enters lounge space with JFK, Boston clubs planned for 2025 — a stunning shift
JetBlue is making a major splash in the premium travel space with its first-ever airport lounges. The New York-based carrier will open two lounges starting in 2025, JetBlue said Thursday — one at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and another at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
Here's Why More Indian Passengers are Opting for Nonstop International Travel — India Report
More Indian passengers are opting for direct international flights, according to aviation consultancy firm OAG. The firm compared data from 2019 with 2023, and found that even though India’s international air traffic last year was 600,000 lesser than 2019, the number of passengers flying directly to their destination increased by 2 million.
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
The chief executive of Alaska Airlines, Ben Minicucci, has big plans. Now, he has a second airline to help achieve them.
This $1,400 luggage is the hottest quiet status symbol for celebrities and wealthy travelers. The more beat up it looks, the better.
HBO's hit TV series "Entourage" has had a big influence on John Baptist's life.