You Now Have to Pay More for Select JetBlue Seats

09.02.2024 - 14:03 / afar.com / Joanna Geraghty / Airlines

Seasoned travelers know that sitting closer to the front of the plane means you can get on and (perhaps more importantly) off the plane faster than those sitting further back. JetBlue Airways lets passengers pick their seats at the time of purchase as long as they didn’t book a basic economy fare.

As of January 28, JetBlue is now charging up to $49 extra for what it is calling “Core Preferred” seats, the aisle and window seats in the rows directly behind JetBlue’s Even More Space premium economy cabin; these seats used to be available with no added charge for all but basic economy passengers. While the Even More Space seats have additional legroom, the Core Preferred fee is just for the seat.

The preferred seat fee is a change for JetBlue but it’s nothing new for a U.S. airline. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines all charge for a similar product they call preferred seats. Even ultra-low-cost airlines like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, which charge for all seat selections, charge more for seats closer to the front. The only major airline that doesn’t is Southwest Airlines, which famously has no seat selection at all and a free-form boarding process.

The winner here is JetBlue’s Mosaic members, passengers who have gained elite status with the airline because they either fly it so much or spend a lot on the airline’s cobranded credit card. They are allowed to choose any preferred seat at no extra charge at booking as long as they don’t purchase a basic economy fare. Now those seats are more likely to be available for these passengers whenever they book. Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president, COO, and incoming CEO, told investors in a January 30 earnings call that offering this perk is “another way to reward our most loyal Mosaic customers.”

On the other hand, the move is a loss for customers who always booked their flights early and got their pick of the seats on the plane. They’ll have to either pay more or start flying more to get the elite Mosaic perks.

The new “Core Preferred” seats are right behind the premium economy equivalent Even More Space seats.

Courtesy of JetBlue Airwayws

While many may groan at the mere idea of yet another new fee charged by an airline, those who watch the airline space appear split on JetBlue’s new preferred seat fee.

Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time railed against it as another “junk fee,” while Carissa Rawson of Upgraded Points said it was understandable and “ensures JetBlue still maintains a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving airline industry.”

In a statement to AFAR, JetBlue was transparent about the reason for the new fee.

“The introduction of preferred seating, in line with many other airlines, allows us to continue to offer our