JetBlue Even More Space from AUA to BOS, 2 passengers purchased three seats to have a row to themselves
Upon arrival at AUA after a lovely weekend at the beach with family, my relatives encountered a long queue that stretched out into the sun. Fortunately, my research had given us warning about this problem at Aruba's, Queen Beatrix International Airport, so we'd booked VIP Departure Service for $190 per person. I worried it would be a waste of money, but they were very glad I'd booked it. (Although the elderly relative, whose energy was really flagging by the third inspection point, also felt terribly guilty about being allowed to cut all the lines!) Frankly, the departure experience was so unpleasant, my family may not return to Aruba. They certainly will never consider a visit on peak dates. The VIP concierge/escort was a great help, but it wasn't as elegant a service as those that take one through a separate door or passage, away from glaring economy travelers.
I was concerned about finding the legitimate provider of the VIP service, and used this link to book for my family:
https://firstclassaruba.com/
VIP service includes lounge access, so they waited for their flight in the VIP Lounge. It was... adequate, but, again, much better than the rest of the airport.
In AUA, the security process was the awful part, and JetBlue really couldn't do anything to improve the process, so F vs. Y tickets won't matter. Global Entry is said to help, but only if it applies to your entire party. And, of course, AUA is a USA pre-clearance facility, which is why it takes so long and is so unpleasant. The good news is, you won't have to clear customs after your long flight home, but, when I did the similar process in Dublin, I didn't have to stand outside in the hot sun while I waited, so I question whether Aruba really has a suitable airport to offer this service.
Once on board, my relatives felt the JetBlue flight--seats, comfort, and service--was pretty standard based on their pre-pandemic recollection of economy. They were grateful to have the extra space, both from Even More Space seat pitch, and with their (paid for as a comfort seat) empty middle seat between them. Flight attendants were fine, but not memorable. My husband couldn't find the power sockets at first, but I solved that for him via text message right before takeoff. "Look down low, by your knees!" (Yet another thank you to FlyerTalk for all the great, free information I've gleaned here.) They had no issues with the free snacks, but didn't purchase an extra fee meal in flight.
In the end, my family says they would definitely choose the Delta F experience over that of JetBlue, even with Even More Space and a 3rd seat (for 2 pax.) The seats themselves were more comfortable, and the service difference was noticeable. When the price difference was very large, however, they felt they could travel comfortably either way.
Delta's First Class product didn't feel as superior as either of them thought "first class" should be. The boxed meal was the most glaring offense. My husband did observe that the elderly, unwell relative held up a lot better on the way out than on the return; how much of that was seat comfort and how much of it was simply exhaustion from the rigors of travel is tough to say for sure. And, because our elder felt emotionally uncomfortable just being in first class, cutting the long airport lines (with a paid VIP service), etc., maybe it is just as well that nothing appeared too fancy.
I didn't let him see the receipts for these flights, and I am glad he seems to have forgotten that he hasn't reimbursed me for this trip yet.
Finally, when considering my husband's lackluster impression of this Delta F product, it's fair to note that his last international flight was on Qatar Airways in J with a lovely lie flat seat and amazing service, so he knows what the better international airlines offer. For someone who's only flown in Y, this Delta F product will seem very nice. Those of us with a little more to compare it to will notice where Delta is cutting corners.