JetBlue TrueBlue - Jetblue trip report

I recently flew on 4/16 JFK-RIC and the reverse on 4/21. This is a summary of those two flights.

I arrived at the airport about 1.5 hours before the flight. The check-in area was wide open and fairly quiet. We were able to get through check-in in about 10 mins. Then, just as quickly as the check-in was, the security was a breeze. They seem to do a good job in this terminal with the previously stated operations. Leaving out of gate 3, there was a lack of seating, even though the terminal was pretty quiet. There was definitely a lack of concessions in this terminal, so we took advantage of the free hot-spot. This was shortly followed by boarding, which, once again, was a piece of cake to get through. With a quick glance of the cabin, it looked like the flight was in the 90% load factor range, which is pretty good for the flight since this route started less then a month ago.

This was my first flight on a 190, so I was pleasantly surprised with the interior. One of the definite advantages is to have a lack of a middle seat, but this is definitely not a regional jet. This plane was equipped with DirecTv, XM radio, and the Fox movie choices. The pilot gave a little speech to the passengers, with attempted humor, but it was a little tiring. However, Jetblue has it's crew enthusiastic about their job, as he was excited about describing this brand new plane. I am not sure if this is usual practice, but it is good to see spirit. We took off ontime, which eased my fears of a delay because of all of the teething problems of the new Embraers. We got a selection of 4 drinks and a few different choices of drinks. I love the blue chips, so I asked for them (and a Diet Coke, where I received the ENTIRE CAN) and I settled in to the XM radio. The flight took about 45 mins, where we landed promptly and on time. However, it was a rough landing, so I wondered if the pilot was still getting used to the plane.

After deplaning, we travelled through the airport (UGLY) to the baggage claim. The bags took a while to get out, and most came on time. However, one of my bags, as well as about 20 others, get misplaced on the ramp. The poor Jetblue rep was working as hard as she could to find the missing bags. It was first thought that they would be on a later flight. However, someone found them on the ground and sent them out. After all of the commotion, a couple of people were still missing their bags. However, I received mine and quickly left the airport.

On the return flight, we got to the airport early, and got through check in and security very easily. The incoming flight got in about 30 mins before our flight, so they are keeping the turnarounds to a minimum. The incoming flight was around 100% capacity, as well as my outbound flight to JFK, so they chose another strong route from the looks of it. Again, we left early, and were only airborne for about 50 mins. Once again, we had 4 drink choices and either cookies or chips for a snack. So, I watched Emeril until landing at JFK. (On a side note, our landing pattern was one that I have never seen before. We were perpendicular to 13R, about 2.5 miles out, and made a turn over the highways and maintenance facilities. Is this a common approach?) We arrived at Gate 1, and went to the baggage facility, where the bags arrived in about 10 mins.

Overall, I thought that Jetblue did a splendid job from beginning to end, and I look forward to my next flight.

Glad to hear about your positive jetBlue experience! They truly do the best job when it comes to domestic air travel. They are not perfect, and the few times they do mess up - they give a sincere apology and usually some form of compensation.

The lack of seating in T6 at JFK is an issue - especially during busy hours. I'll admit that I usually find myself standing or cramped between two strangers, even if I am traveling with someone. However, keep in mind that as the new T5 is being constructed and the temporary gates are coming in June, improvements are definitely on the way! Once these new gates open, jetBlue's waiting areas will definitely be less crowded. Rome was not built in a day...and I'm sure the old TWA facility will look great and serve jetBlue customers well.

One question...what do you mean by a lack of concessions? I always thought that the available concessions in jetBlue's terminal was plenty. There is that strip of 'fast food' restaurants once you get through security (near the wireless hotspot signs). You have wraps and sandwichs from Boar's Head (spellcheck), Chinese food, etc. You have that pizza stand opposite that strip. Across (near those 2 or 3 gates in the middle of the concourse), you have the large store/gift shop (the one with jetBlue ShopBlue merchandise on the left side) and on both round ends, you have magazine/news/candy stands and small sandwich/wrap stops.

To answer your approach to JFK 13R question, yes I have been in that landing pattern a few times recently - usually my flights land on 31L or 31R...but sometimes we use 13R...and yes, it is a strange approach, as you make a sharp bank over the highways (near the hotels) right before touchdown.

How was the XM radio? I've not gotten to fly on the E190 yet...and none of my A320's were equipped with it yet. Last week I flew JFK-FLL and we did have the larger retrofitted screens which are really nice. This is the second time I have had these screens. But, the credit card reader still sucks! This Fri. I'll be flying FLL-JFK, hopefully I can experience the XM already!

After deplaning, we travelled through the airport(UGLY) to the baggage claim. The bags took a while to get out, and most came on time. However, one of my bags, as well as about 20 others, get misplaced on the ramp. The poor Jetblue rep was working as hard as she could to find the missing bags. It was first thought that they would be on a later flight. However, someone found them on the ground and sent them out. After all of the commotion, a couple of people were still missing their bags. However, I received mine and quickly left the airport.
Once .

Hmmm, I see the JetBlue baggage system has not had all its kinks worked out yet. When my bag didn't make a flight of an even shorter duration, I was told the high volume of bags at JFK was to blame. I see you said JFK wasn't that crowded. What a shame that JetBlue, which once was seen as the easiest and most-efficient airline, still cannot get a passenger's bag on a flight of about an hour.

Hmmm, I see the JetBlue baggage system has not had all its kinks worked out yet. When my bag didn't make a flight of an even shorter duration, I was told the high volume of bags at JFK was to blame. I see you said JFK wasn't that crowded. What a shame that JetBlue, which once was seen as the easiest and most-efficient airline, still cannot get a passenger's bag on a flight of about an hour.

Not to be negative, but the legnth of the flight really should have nothing to do with baggage getting on. The shortest jetBlue flight is no less entitled to have baggage delays than the longest Singapore Airlines flight. Problems happen, length is unrelated.

Not to be negative, but the legnth of the flight really should have nothing to do with baggage getting on. The shortest jetBlue flight is no less entitled to have baggage delays than the longest Singapore Airlines flight. Problems happen, length is unrelated.
You cannot be more correct! the poster above you hangs around, waiting for one tiny negative comment about jetBlue and then he posts a response to it. The sad thing is that he simply does not understand that every airline has its problems - but jetBlue is doing the best job. US Airways has the WORST baggage handling performance, yet he seems to ignore that fact. Even after jetBlue compensated him, with a great deal, he still thinks he deserves a lifetime of free flights and boycots jetBlue.

JetBlue is doing a great job...at least everyone else thinks so.

Hmmm, I see the JetBlue baggage system has not had all its kinks worked out yet. When my bag didn't make a flight of an even shorter duration, I was told the high volume of bags at JFK was to blame. I see you said JFK wasn't that crowded. What a shame that JetBlue, which once was seen as the easiest and most-efficient airline, still cannot get a passenger's bag on a flight of about an hour.

First off, I was talking about Richmond, not JFK, so I don't know who does the handling for B6. Also, the bags did come on our flight, they were just misplaced, although I am not sure how. The couple of people who were left without their bags, I would assume, eventually came.

Glad to hear about your positive jetBlue experience! They truly do the best job when it comes to domestic air travel. They are not perfect, and the few times they do mess up - they give a sincere apology and usually some form of compensation.

The lack of seating in T6 at JFK is an issue - especially during busy hours. I'll admit that I usually find myself standing or cramped between two strangers, even if I am traveling with someone. However, keep in mind that as the new T5 is being constructed and the temporary gates are coming in June, improvements are definitely on the way! Once these new gates open, jetBlue's waiting areas will definitely be less crowded. Rome was not built in a day...and I'm sure the old TWA facility will look great and serve jetBlue customers well.

One question...what do you mean by a lack of concessions? I always thought that the available concessions in jetBlue's terminal was plenty. There is that strip of 'fast food' restaurants once you get through security (near the wireless hotspot signs). You have wraps and sandwichs from Boar's Head (spellcheck), Chinese food, etc. You have that pizza stand opposite that strip. Across (near those 2 or 3 gates in the middle of the concourse), you have the large store/gift shop (the one with jetBlue ShopBlue merchandise on the left side) and on both round ends, you have magazine/news/candy stands and small sandwich/wrap stops.

To answer your approach to JFK 13R question, yes I have been in that landing pattern a few times recently - usually my flights land on 31L or 31R...but sometimes we use 13R...and yes, it is a strange approach, as you make a sharp bank over the highways (near the hotels) right before touchdown.

How was the XM radio? I've not gotten to fly on the E190 yet...and none of my A320's were equipped with it yet. Last week I flew JFK-FLL and we did have the larger retrofitted screens which are really nice. This is the second time I have had these screens. But, the credit card reader still sucks! This Fri. I'll be flying FLL-JFK, hopefully I can experience the XM already!

I agree, they are definitely one of my favorite airlines.

I know that they are constructing T5, as well as the temp gates, but they may still have problems in the short term. However, Jetblue has simply outgrown their terminal, so there isn't too much that they can do with the seating. Their new terminal will surely be an improvement.

I must have missed the concessions. I just saw one restaurant, where I then preceded directly to the gate 3 pier. In that pier, they only have a Hudson News Stand.

Regarding the 13L approach, I thought that was pretty cool as I got to see the aircraft takeoff on 13R. Since I had never taken that approach before, I actually thought that we were doing a go around.

The XM radio is pretty nice. It has over 100 stations of just about any taste in radio. It shows up on the screen with the channel number and the song. The armrest is a little confusing at first as it has the volume control, channel control, a button with an XM logo, and a button with a Fox movie logo.

I hope that I answered your questions.

First off, I was talking about Richmond, not JFK, so I don't know who does the handling for B6. Also, the bags did come on our flight, they were just misplaced, although I am not sure how. The couple of people who were left without their bags, I would assume, eventually came.

Hi, prhs1989. I know you were talking about Richmond, but when my bag was delayed it wasn't the destination's fault but JFK's error. I see you also flew from JFK, so that is why I compared our situations.