Jetblue launch suites on narrowbody Airbus A321

3^rd Feb 2021

The US low-cost airline Jetblue has launched its new Business Class seating as it prepares for transatlantic flights, with new private suites including a sliding door. The front row seats have a large cabin, including an extra seat and table.

JetBlue's A321LR business class, called 'Mint', is undoubtedly one of the best in the class for any airline, let alone an airline which is launching the product on a single airline aircraft normally reserved for short haul flights.

The Business class cabin features 24 private suites with a sliding door for every passenger, along with a custom-designed seat cushion by Tuft & Needle, a 17 inch video screen with AV on demand and live TV, lots of storage areas, with three cupboards for shoes or laptops, mains power (universal socket) and USB charging, and the rarity on an aircraft of wireless charging.

JetBlue's latest business class seat is based on a basic frame by Thompson Aero called the Vantage Solo, and refined by Factorydesign.

The new cabin exudes an aura of calm, with subtle mood-lighting accentuated by 1970s style suede cocooning the seat. Those 1970s touches are also highlighted with the denim (style) carpet and concrete finishes through the cabin.

Jetblue launch suites on narrowbody Airbus A321

The airline promotes the new seat, by saying; "every Mint seat is layered with Tuft & Needle's proprietary T&N adaptive foam and a breathable cover to create a cool and comfortable sleep experience unlike anything in the sky."

"The seat complements additional sleep amenities developed in partnership with the brand, including a convertible blanket with a built-in foot pocket, a memory foam lined pillow with a pillowcase, and a snooze kit with a matching eye mask and earplugs."

However it is at the front of the long thin cabin that the design comes to the fore, with 'Mint Studio'. This extra space comes because of the nature of the seat, where each seat 'tucks' into the one in front. However, the bulkhead means that there is more space here, which means there is room for an extra side table and another cupboard with a mirror, while the TV screen has been upsized to 22 inches.

It follows the trend for many airlines to create a quasy-First Class at the front of the Business Class cabin, with a little more space, on airlines like China Eastern, and Malaysia Airlines.

There's also a guest seat for sharing an inflight meeting, meal or cocktail with another Mint guest. The 'sofa seat' drops to become part of the flat-bed area, increasing the size of the bed.

JetBlue has been long touting its desire to compete on the Transatlantic market. With Norwegian now abandoning the long haul market, and with Air Berlin long gone, there is room once again for another low-cost airline to have a go at Business Class longhaul. The airline planes a fleet of new Airbus A321LR jets which will connect New York and Boston with London.

Jetblue has been granted 14 weekly slot pairs at London Gatwick, and will probably schedule just one flight a day to New York. It also has

28 weekly slot pairs at London's Stansted airport, and plans two flights a day to Boston, however these tentative plans are subject to change.

The new seats will also be part of several factory-fresh Airbus A321neo (with a shorter range than on the A321LR) which will fly between New York and Los Angeles from June, however these will have only 14 suites and two studios up the front.

As if the A321neo and LR don't have enough of a reach, there is no doubt the Airbus A321XLR (standing for extra long range) aircraft will be a game changer when they start to arrive in many airlines fleets by 2025. With two extra central fuel tanks the longest haul of the narrow bodies will have a range of 8,700km or 4700 nautical miles. That's enough to fly from Sydney to Tokyo or London to Miami. Seating up to 220 passengers (in low cost configuration) the aeroplanes are likely to open up many new 'long-thin routes" as the world opens up again after the pandemic.

Jetblue launch suites on narrowbody Airbus A321

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