Jet Blue prices

JB just announced price for checked bags will increase.

Now between $25 and $50 depending on flight (Blue vs. Blue Plus)

Maybe because of this reported last month:

It is sad to see what Jet Blue is doing to themselves the last couple of years. Besides their customer service going down, and the prices going up ridiculously, the once best airline is killing themselves. First after touting for years, the No Charge for baggage...they went ahead and started to charge. Then, the flights all over were cut back. Then the last few flights we took, the seats have shrunk. Then the price of their internet service is crazy. Then they added the different categories. Now they are going to be raising the prices on baggage?? Why doesn't JB finally come clean, and change their name to Spirit Airlines, because real soon there won't be any difference between the two airlines.

Looks like the honeymoon with JetBlue might be coming to an end.

The reality is they are a business and need to make money. $$$

One can only hope Southwest gets to fly to SXM. Prior to the hurricane we flew SW within the states and I chatted with desk person who said the airline was considering a couple of changes, one being assigned seating and that they were trying to get SXM route.

JetBlue hasn't really been a budget for quite some time.

So far!!! We have gotten great prices out of Jfk. but have to be flexible. Prices are different every day of the week. So if you can get the cheapest fare on one day rather than the next, your saving... Not everyone can do that. But as mentioned!! they have to make money. After Irma they were right back flying to St.M. not many others can say that. For us it was a blessing, as we needed to get on Island after hurricane... Everyone has a different situation, but so far for us they are the most reliable. What happens this coming season? That remains to be seen. But I check flight frequently and have learned its not nessesery to book way in advance, have gotten cheaper fares closer to when we want to go. I think they sell the high tickets first and then they seem to lower the fare . Could be wrong on that, but never book way ahead...

sasasal, there seems to be a curve of sorts in that cheap when date first opens up then fares go higher until closer to departure then down for a day then way up to fill remaining seats.

We booked SXM for March back in July and the rates have gone way up from then. But last March we got fares for half what we're paying this next trip closer to departure.

They probably lost money on paper. think reduced taxes. I'm betting that they are really making money.

The bottom line is!!! Fares can change from one day to the next. Must go in and do the work checking and checking. I can go in to jet blue today and see different fares two days later, crazy, but I just do not buy tickets way in advance. I usally get tickets 2 or three monthes before flight. It works because the truth is flying during the week!!! The flights are almost never filled. Anyway that has worked for us, but not everyone can be flexible. We can. If monday is high, and thursday is cheaper, we go thursday. But its crazy how they price. Guess we are lucky going non stop from Jfk. But I still prefer Jet blue unitll they prove different. So far we have had no major problems. We left American because they were so unreliable after the merger... Good luck anyway everyon


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Ok...yes they are increasing their baggage fees BUT it is part of their previous three tier system with the ONLY difference between the first two IS that a checked bag is included. The baggage fee is NOT in addition to the Blue Plus fare. If we are only checking one bag we book one Blue fare and one Blue Plus fare...works out the same as paying for a checked bag.

..and...their internet wifi (Fly-Fi) is free ....not crazy priced within the satellite coverage area. Used it last month. As is the live Directv and taped movies/TV shows when out of the coverage area

..and..their seat pitch (32 in) and seat size (18 in) is better than most economy seats on other airlines (AA 319 31 in/15.9-17.3in) (Delta 737/757 30-31-32 in/17.2 in) SWA 31-32 in/17 in)

They are just joining other airlines and charging a bit more than they did for bags. I should add that a couple of flights I checked the fee was $25 more for Blue Plus so no different from other airlines...but there are some outliers there at $50 more.....The rest of the experience is fine.

Edited to add: here's a link comparing seat pitch and seat size for ALL short haul airlines

link for seat size

We've used to use JB when they had an SXM to JB flight where we could get a connection to BDL. When they dropped SJU connection used AA (horrible) or Delta (not bad). Post Irma our only reliable and close to affordable is JB direct to JFK and find a 3 hour ride back and forth to the airport. The seats are the same as when we flew them thru SJU. We don't check bags unless they call for free gate checks at the gate. Hopefully, when more rooms open in the bigger hotels, we'll get back some of our flights.

Agreed. Still a reasonable airline compared to most of the others.

I should also add (full disclosure) re: JB and Delta, we now reward ourselves with either JB "Extra space" or Delta Comfort....huge difference a few inches makes AND at a reasonable price. We are flying Delta to Amsterdam/Toulouse in 10 days and the Delta comfort was a no brainer. With both...board before the regular economy so no issue with overhead space.

Also JB credit card makes drinks and food half price on JB....makes my Harpoon UFO only $3.50

We have just under a 3 hour ride to the airport. which means we need to have trust that our flight is not changed. Having to get a ride there and back means planning. We have a choice flying out of Jfk. but have not had a problem with jet blue... Thats our experience. but in life businesses and people can do 10 things right, but we only fix on the 1 or 2 they do wrong... We have been flying to and from St. M. since the mid 80s. Original pan am folks than American for years, but they just can not be trusted. If I book non stop I want to go non stop etc. After Irma tourisim was lost, and only folks that needed to fly in did, I commend Jet blue for taking those folks and we are two of them... just our experience...

I wish Southwest would start flying into SXM. I've been using them to fly from Balitmore to Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cancun. No charge for checked baggage and they tend to push the price down for anyone else flying the same route.

Yup....SWA would definitely add some valid competition....

The fuel cost issue is a poor excuse, a few years ago when fuel prices were 25% higher the air fares were 25% lower.
Go figure !

in order for putting in another airline, or lowering prices!!! they need the people, I do not think they have the people. These airlines are not going to fly half empty and loose money... If I am wrong tell me that the flights are busting out all over... Over the past number of years!!! We have never seen a full plane, except for once or twice... they can not fly a plane with it half empty... So when theres a call perhaps things will change... Anyway thats how I see it... You will not get any more airlines in unless they know they can make the money. I do not think this is about fuel... Its about people... just my cents.

Our experience is our JB flights are always full. In fact they offer free checked luggage at the gate stating full plane means less room. Last flight we didn't pack the usual one suitcase between us to check and instead brought 2 , 22" carry-ons (JB' s size limit) and got them checked for free.

Yes, I've seen Southwest change the market in areas multiple times over the last twenty years. On our upcoming trip we're flying Spirit and they're website and pricing structure is nonsensical. If they're prices were not good, in this instance, I wouldn't have used them. I hope flights our go well. We'll see soon.

Don’t forget another huge benefit about SWA, no change fees! One of the biggest ripoffs not just in the airline business, but any business.

..and if SWA starts flying there is good news for equine fans.....(From Travel & Leisure Magazine)



Travel & Leisure article link

I was hoping that was posted on April Fool's Day but it wasn't ...and yes...a mini horse IS a support animal according to the ADA...but....on a plane?

With rising costs for jet fuel, they needed to add revenue to their lowest-coast seats.

Only dogs can be service animals and they must be certified. They also must perform a specific service, e.g. seeing eye, opening doors, fetching items, etc.

Correct but the article and policy refers to support animals and they only need a "credible verbal explanation" why they are needed

Maybe for SW but for other airlines a letter from a licensed professional e.g. a therapist, psychologist , etc. is needed and several days notice is needed and the airline can still refuse if it deems the animal not trained or can otherwise be a nuisance.

The baggage fees were put into effect when oil was $100 a barrel. Over the years oil went down to around $50 a barrel. It’s funny how the airlines can raise prices when oil goes up but when oil prices were down they couldn’t lower their baggage fees! At some point there has to be some regulation on how the airline companies keep coming up with fee after fee being put on the passengers. It’s rdidculous. They are making billions on all the extra fees they charge on top of what they make on the regular fare. It’s almost criminal in my opinion!

Is it really any different than the gas stations changing their prices for the stuff already in the underground tanks? On the way into town last week gas at the local station was $2.69 a gallon, 30 minutes later that same station is showing gas price at $2.74. Now that was just 5 cents but I've seen it when the price overnight increases upwards of 20 cents per gallon. Then when they "drop" the price it's usually by a penny or two. It's just another way for them to get deeper into your pocket. They know that have us over a barrel (pun intended) because what's the other option?