FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - AUGUST 31: JetBlue Flight 387 pushes back from the gate at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as it prepares for take off to become the first scheduled commercial flight to Cuba since 1961 on August 31, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. JetBlue which hopes to have as many as 110 daily flights is the first U.S. airline to resume regularly scheduled airline service under new rules allowing Americans greater access to Cuba. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Bargain travelers, this one’s for you. JetBlue is shaking the table with its new ticket perks and restrictions.
The airline is lowering prices on many basic economy tickets to compete with no-frill discount airlines like Spirit and Frontier, USA Today reports.
But y’all know that lower fare comes with a catch! Travelers who now buy JetBlue’s ‘Blue Basic’ tickets will not be allowed to bring a traditional carry-on bag as of July 20th.
They will only be allowed to bring a small bag that fits underneath the seat in front of them and any other bags they bring have to be checked for a fee.
JetBlue might be shaking it up but they’re technically late to the trend.
United Airlines has a similar restriction on its basic economy tickets while Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant passengers have to pay a fee to bring a full-size carry-on bag on board.
American and Delta do not have those restrictions and well, Southwest Airlines doesn’t have basic economy tickets.
JetBlue’s reason for the switch-up, as explained by its executives, is because the airline wants to align its restrictions with those of the no-frills carriers, and it wants to free up overhead bin space as part of a bold new promise guaranteeing higher-paying passengers spots for their carry-on bags.
Beginning July 20th, JetBlue will guarantee room for one carry-on in the overhead bins for passengers who buy non-basic economy tickets for flights within the U.S.
If the airline runs out of space and a passenger’s bag has to be checked at the gate, the airline adds it will issue a $25 travel credit good for one year.
Concerns about having enough room for carry-on luggage are reportedly a top stressor for travelers, and that was apparently a real problem for JetBlue. The airline’s planes are only able to accommodate about 60% of passengers’ carry-on bags if everyone brings a roller bag.
“We’re really excited to be offering this … first-of-its-kind in the United States carry-on bag guarantee,” said Dave Clark, JetBlue’s vice president of sales and revenue management. “We think that makes our (standard economy) Blue Fare really strong.”
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