A JetBlue plane at Terminal 5 of JFK Airport in New York.
Leslie Josephs | CNBC
JetBlue The airline is opening airport lounges for the first time since it began operations more than two decades ago, a major shift for the low-cost carrier as it pursues high-spending travelers.
JetBlue announced Thursday that the lounge will open at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport late next year, followed by one in Boston.
The airline also plans to launch new “premium” credit cards with partner Barclays, including: Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlineshas generated billions of dollars through lucrative credit card transactions.
The company said the lounge will be available to customers with its soon-to-be-released premium credit card, customers who book JetBlue’s Mint business class for transatlantic travel and those with elite frequent flyer status.
JetBlue said it plans to open an 8,000-square-foot lounge in Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport late next year, and an 11,000-square-foot space in Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal C shortly thereafter.
JetBlue has been working hard to cut costs and return to steady profitability, including postponing the introduction of dozens of Airbus jetliners. The airline has cut dozens of routes this year and is exploring ways to better utilize aircraft equipped with Mint cabins that offer perks like lie-flat seats and fine dining.
JetBlue’s head of marketing and customer support, Jane O’Brien, told CNBC that, at least for the time being, travelers on other Mint routes, such as transcontinental flights, will not be able to enter the lounge.
JetBlue doesn’t want to disappoint customers if they can’t get into the lounge because it’s too crowded. “We want to be very thoughtful about how we approach this issue,” he said, adding that the lounge will also have a cocktail bar, an espresso bar, “light snacks” and space to work.
JetBlue’s highest-level loyalty program members and new premium cardholders will be able to bring one guest to the lounge for free.
O’Brien declined to comment on rumors that JetBlue plans to offer a Mini Mint cabin, a smaller version of the airline’s popular cabin, on some of its planes.
Other airlines are revamping their airport lounges to attract more high-spending customers and accommodate larger crowds. Delta Air Lines has scaled back access to some of its popular airport Sky Clubs after complaints about long lines, but in June it opened its first Delta One lounge at John F. Kennedy Airport, reserved for customers in its top-level cabins and invitation-only elite members of its SkyMiles program.
American Airlines and United Airlines also have lounges exclusively for their top-of-the-line First and Business Class passengers.
Credit card companies, etc. American Express, Tracking and Capital One To attract consumers, it has also opened airport lounges in cities across the country.
JetBlue isn’t the only airline considering expanding perks to accompany fare hikes.
Southwest Airlines To boost revenue, Southwest plans to offer more legroom in its seats — the biggest change the airline has made in more than 50 years in the airline business — and is expected to provide more details about the strategy at an investor meeting next week. spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines Packages have also been launched which include more spacious seats and earlier boarding.
