JetBlue TrueBlue - Only "Express Service" -- cost cutting?

I've been flying IAD-JFK-IAD for a few months now, and in the last 3 weeks, all of my flights have started having 'express service' only instead of once in a long while (1/10 flights before). 'Express service' tends to mean they only serve water, and *sometimes* Coke/Diet Coke/Sprite and snack items.

Its kinda disappointing, and I'm wondering if it may be a cost cutting thing?

Perhaps the flight time was too short to get the regular service. It seems that JFK is a little less delay prone now .

Were the loads lighter on your previous flights? my experience has been that JFK-IAD or RIC have always had express service. Where I HAVE seen cost cutting has been on the "long" flights (6 base trueblue points) where the second drink service is just a pass with water. Yes you can order something else but whereas it used to be formally a full service now it's more stealth full service if it happens at all.

I've had nothing but express service on JFK-BUF and JFK-SYR for a couple of years now-- a flight time often longer than JFK-IAD (at least JFK to BUF).

But at least express service still proivdes "free" snacks that most legacy carriers are loath to provide.

All of the short flights that I've been on (ROC-JFK, BOS-JFK, BOS-BUF, etc...) have had express service for as long as I've been flying jetBlue (since 2002), consisting of water, coke, diet coke and sprite as the drink options, and 2 snacks that they select.

Do they really need to serve anything on a one hour flight?

JFK-IAD is "zoned" as express. Medium haul (full service snacks and drinks) begin at the Carolinas (CLT and RDU) when going south. Everything north is express. JFK-IAD has always been zoned this way since the flight began operating. This has NOTHING to do with cost measures. It is reasonable service level for a completely sold out flight on what could be a short flying time of only 50 minutes.

Additionally, if you don't see any soda, maybe you simply have to ask for it. The inflight crewmembers will announce what the drink selection is. If they go through with just the tray of water that may be because of convenience. They are most likely asking what you would like to drink. Just because there's only water on the tray does not mean soda is not being served.

"Additionally, if you don't see any soda, maybe you simply have to ask for it. The inflight crewmembers will announce what the drink selection is. If they go through with just the tray of water that may be because of convenience. They are most likely asking what you would like to drink. Just because there's only water on the tray does not mean soda is not being served."

Except this announcement you speak of isn't always happening. Trust me a whole lot of crews I've seen in the last six months have just gotten lazy and realize that if they don't make an announcement they end up serving lots of water and doing less work. I usually get water anyway so I don't honestly care much but when you are a regular customer and see the lazyness setting in it makes you think less of the brand.

I'm not saying it isn't a short flight (although, for what it's worth, flights of this length in <insert non-North America continent here> on <insert non-US flag carrier here> manage to serve <insert complex food/beverage service here>).

I'm saying that JetBlue advertises fairly heavily that they're not stiffing customers on drinks and snacks (like my usual carrier, United, which doesn't give you so much as a stale pretzel on a transcon anymore). This creates an expectation that they'll deliver on that promise.

The "its a short flight" excuse has also been used by way of a brush-off for video system issues as well. Oh, well, I suppose it won't matter much longer anyway... with the elimination of the late JFK-IAD flight on Saturdays come May, I'm banished back to the video and soda-less paradise that is the United Express EMB-145. :(

I'm saying that JetBlue advertises fairly heavily that they're not stiffing customers on drinks and snacks (like my usual carrier, United, which doesn't give you so much as a stale pretzel on a transcon anymore). This creates an expectation that they'll deliver on that promise.

And that's the case. You can have all the blue chips and munchie mix and Coke that you want, for free. It's always been that way, and continues to be.

Except this announcement you speak of isn't always happening. Trust me a whole lot of crews I've seen in the last six months have just gotten lazy and realize that if they don't make an announcement they end up serving lots of water and doing less work. I usually get water anyway so I don't honestly care much but when you are a regular customer and see the lazyness setting in it makes you think less of the brand.

Per our inflight service manual, regardless of any announcement made, if a request is made, we are to attempt to honor it time permitting. So even if the inflight crewmember did not announce sodas, it can be requested. Or juices, or coffee, etc. I'm with you, trust me, it's hugely disappointing to see inflight crewmembers not following prescribed announcements, which may create the illusion of a diminished service.

"Additionally, if you don't see any soda, maybe you simply have to ask for it. The inflight crewmembers will announce what the drink selection is. If they go through with just the tray of water that may be because of convenience. They are most likely asking what you would like to drink. Just because there's only water on the tray does not mean soda is not being served."

Except this announcement you speak of isn't always happening. Trust me a whole lot of crews I've seen in the last six months have just gotten lazy and realize that if they don't make an announcement they end up serving lots of water and doing less work. I usually get water anyway so I don't honestly care much but when you are a regular customer and see the lazyness setting in it makes you think less of the brand.

Did you ever think this second announcement not happening is out of courtesy and not laziness?

A lot (not me) of people sleep on planes. Announcements wake them. I fly B6 at least once a month and every time they come through with a tray of water (on their second trip through the cabin) they also have a pad and are asking if they can get you anything.

It's just a matter of trying to get a service done in a matter of time. We can't possibly get a full service done on a JFK-IAD or JFK-BOS flight. There just isn't the time necessary. Hence the service done on those flights is Water, Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite and 2 snacks. I will gladly attend to any other requests as time permits me. Last night I did an express flight and several people asked me for alcohol. I told them to permit me to finish my normal service and I will gladly get them some alcohol. The agreed and I finished my service and got them their alcohol. I commute DTW-GRR quite often. NW only offers small containers of OJ and water. Should I complain about it as being a cost cutting matter and be angered because they didn't get or ask me if I would like a soda? No, they, like us, are attempting to get some form of drink out to the cabin. A full service can not possibly be completed.

Now if the flight is empty or very lightly loaded some flight attendants will go above and beyond and do a full service. It's all about time.

I commute DTW-GRR quite often. NW only offers small containers of OJ and water.

I've had those cute little OJ and waters on NW and they barely get them picked up in time before we land on the short NW routes. I hope DL keeps them! My kids love that little cup!

I remember being shut out of a drink, even was refused water, on a Delta flight between LEX and CVG several years ago. The FA's attempted to do a full service starting at the front and back of the aircraft and meeting in the middle. Well...they never met in the middle and I was shut out. After that, I have always appreciated "express" service.

I also get the quick Water,Coffee and OJ(AM) or Coke, Diet Coke (Aft and Eve) on Southwest within Florida. I know that for awhile no other airline even attempted ANY drink service between MIA/FLL and MCO anymore. But it has been so long since I have used anyone else on that route I can't say for sure anymore.

Did you ever think this second announcement not happening is out of courtesy and not laziness?

A lot (not me) of people sleep on planes. Announcements wake them. I fly B6 at least once a month and every time they come through with a tray of water (on their second trip through the cabin) they also have a pad and are asking if they can get you anything.

People sleeping? Maybe on Red-eyes or flights of 2 hours or longer that arrive after 1030pm. But if I'm on the 100pm OAK-JFK flight, I doubt many are sleeping.