In July 2024, I exclusively reported that as JetBlue seeks to innovate in response to persistent losses and a blocked merger with Spirit Airlines, it plans to introduce a domestic first class cabin it will call “Mini Mint” across its fleet of Airbus jets. Those plans were officially confirmed in December 2024 and JetBlue has just provided an update on the timeline.

Coming In 2026: “Mini Mint” (Domestic First Class Recliner Seats) On JetBlue

For months, JetBlue has been hinting about a new premium product and Live And Let’s Fly has reviewed a memo from Marty St. George, JetBlue’s President, that there will be a domestic-style first class recliner seat coming to JetBlue’s entire Airbus family of jets starting in 2026. JetBlue has “probably” chosen the Collins Aerospace MiQ seat, pictured above, as its seat for these new premium cabins, though the memo does not explicitly state this (other sources have told me this).

The MiQ seat offers:

• Four-way adjustable headrest
• Up to 10 inches of recline
• Large bi-fold table
• Adjustable aisle armrest
• Literature and personal item storage
• In-flight entertainment integration

We see this seat widely used in the airline industry as a premium economy seat, including on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. It also serves as a business class seat on carriers including Aeromexico and Turkish Airlines and also a “domestic first class” seat on American and Hawaiian Airlines.

Live And Let’s Fly has learned that JetBlue will configure its aircraft with the following seat counts:

• A220 – 143 seats, including 8 Mini Mint (MM) and 135 Core (economy)
• A320 – 162 seats, including 12 MM and 150 economy
• A321ceo -198 seats, including 12 MM and 186 economy
• A321neo 200 seats, including 12 MM and 188 economy

How will JetBlue be able to add Mini Mint seats without sacrificing the overall seat count? Unfortunately, it plans to shrink legroom in economy class.

• Mini Mint – 36-37 inches
• Even More Space (extra legroom economy) – 35 inches
• Core (“regular” economy) – 30 inches

Core seats currently have 32 inches of pitch, an industry best, that apparently will be sacrificed as Mini Mint seats are added.

Retrofits will begin in 2026 with the oldest A320 jets, then proceed to newer jets that do not currently have the Mint product installed.

There’s no word on placing premium cabin seats on JetBlue’s fleet of 100-seat Embraer E190 jets.

JetBlue has internally called this project “Mini Mint” but will abandon that name going forward:

While we’ve all had fun calling this project “mini-Mint”, the truth is the Mint brand is unique and we don’t want to confuse customers. With that, our domestic first offering will have its own brand identity, reflecting, a domestic first experience distinct from Mint.

The Timeline

JetBlue just shared an update on its timeline for rolling out this product, with a quarter of the fleet slated for retrofit in 2026:

JetBlue is on track to launch domestic first-class in 2026, with 25% of our non-Mint fleet expected to be retrofitted next year, and the vast majority completed by the end of 2027.

Completing this retrofit by the end of 2027 still strikes me as ambitious.

Why JetBlue Is Offering Domestic First And How It Will Approach The Cabin

The memo sheds light on why JetBlue chose to install first class seats and how it is thinking about this new premium cabin.

“Customer demand for premium options is stronger than ever. From Even More Space to Mint, JetBlue has evolved to compete in premium leisure. Domestic first, paired with Mint, our updated EvenMore, and upcoming lounges, will ensure we have the premium options that leisure customers want from a brand they love. And to be clear, while we talk about it as “domestic” product, it will be offered all across our network where Mint does not operate.”

To that end, JetBlue is “crafting a product that leisure customers will love while keeping operational complexity low and staying true to our low-cost model.” It emphasizes the new product will:

• Offer elevated comfort with more space to relax and details that make a difference
• Be designed with value in mind – a great experience at an affordable fare

This Is Long Overdue And Great News

In early 2024, JetBlue said it was looking into “evolving our product offering and network to reflect customer trends, including a focus on premium leisure.”

As One Mile At A Time smartly pointed out long ago, there are many compelling reasons for JetBlue to add a domestic first class product, including:

• JetBlue is in premium markets
• JetBlue could introduce first class efficiently
• It would feed into JetBlue’s long haul network
• First class would greatly enhance JetBlue TrueBlue
• First class would help JetBlue maximize revenue
• JetBlue could reduce flight attendant staffing on A320s (though it seems instead JetBlue will just squeeze economy class passengers instead of capping seats at 150 passengers in order to reduce one flight attendant position)
• First class would help JetBlue with partnerships

I fully agree and think there is great sense in JetBlue adding a first class product and am thrilled there are finally more concrete plans underway.

This will complement JetBlue’s two new lounges, one in New York, one in Boston, quite nicely.

> Read More: JetBlue Will Open Posh Airport Lounges In New York + Boston

CONCLUSION

JetBlue plans to introduce “Mini Mint” premium cabins to its entire Airbus family of jets, likely using the tried-and-tested Collins Aerospace MiQ seats. Retrofits will not begin immediately, with the new cabins gradually entering service starting in 2026.

I view this as progress: this is the sort of product that has been logical for many years and a product that will drive premium traffic and revenue to JetBlue.

What are your thoughts on JetBlue Mini Mint?

image: rendering and logo created by Live And Let’s Fly, not official