Originally Posted by 764toHI (Post 27183746)

I also tried Mint for the first time 6 weeks ago on JFK-SFO. I thought the seat (I don't mind the lumbar support as I prefer a firmer mattress), privacy, food, and amenity kit were great, but I couldn't help thinking about IRROPS situations, lack of lounge access, and relatively poor JFK T5 access via public transportation - it's like a good 10 minutes from the AirTrain to the Precheck line). Flew back on UA p.s. to compare and after considering all the factors, I would say they're pretty equal.

Originally Posted by sfozrhfco (Post 27193948)

AVOD is really not that important on a 5-6 hour flight. Free, usable wifi is way more valuable and useful to the majority of flyers. Plus as Amazon is sponsoring the wifi, I am sure Amazon would prefer people to login using their Prime account to stream content.

Mint is still a major disruptive force. The value that is offered is very high-especially for the market they set out to capture. Remember that Mint was started to capture small business customers that did not have the size to get corporate discounts and leisure travelers willing to pay somewhat more for a better product. The fact that more than 2 years later, Jetblue has reached a far bigger audience is a great testament to the success of Mint.

I was previously a Jetblue customer but would book the cheapest possible flight. Occasionally I would also use Virgin for transcons when I wanted to fly in first. This year I have taken all my JetBlue transcons in Mint and achieved Mosaic in February. It is a win for me and Jetblue is getting more out of me as well. It has transformed the travel experience for many people that I know and for whom I book travel.

Originally Posted by bostnwhalr (Post 27235624)

I've already noticed that prices for business class seats on legacy airlines have dropped to $750 RT down from probably $1,100 a year ago. Gotta love competition.

Originally Posted by oopl (Post 27235911)

That's the key point right there. I hope to see JetBlue expand their route network.

Originally Posted by MSYtoJFKagain (Post 27214926)

I had this happen while boarding flight recently, the plane was nearly empty but I really enjoyed the solo treatment.

Originally Posted by cyber1k (Post 27230913)

Wish B6 understood the importance of what regular high-rev customers really want with regard to their ground product instead of the intense focus on the occasional customer. It would be unstoppable leader.

Originally Posted by RWPrincess (Post 27240657)

As a Mosaic, this was precisely my impression of flying Mint. B6 didn't care that I was Mosaic and spend thousands of dollars a year with them. In fact, the post flight survey didn't even include the usual Mosaic section nor did the FAs acknowledge me as Mosaic. The FAs were great but they were focused on delivering their cookie cutter Mint service.

Ignoring your most loyal customers is not a way to build a sustainable business model in the long run.

Originally Posted by cyber1k (Post 27230913)

Love my AA CK entrance and knowing I can be inside sterile area within about 3-5 min. Wish B6 understood the importance of what regular high-rev customers really want with regard to their ground product instead of the intense focus on the occasional customer. It would be unstoppable leader.

Originally Posted by sfozrhfco (Post 27244833)

Providing great service to everybody is far more important in building the sustainable business model and that is what I have experienced with every Mint flight. If I am on planes every week I could care less if I have the flight attendant come up to me every time to thank me for my business. Once in a while it may be nice but by the 10th time in the month, is it really necessary?

I know the routine, I get great service, and that is fine for me. On many non Mint flights I am the only Mosaic passenger anyway so at times they just announce it is time for me to board. Being based on the West Coast there are not a lot of Mosaic people anyway. It is nothing like the being an "elite" passenger on a legacy carrier out of SFO where it is entirely possible to have the whole plane full of "elite" passengers.

Originally Posted by caliform (Post 27248409)

Yep, this is also painful at SFO where the bag drop in the international terminal is an utter disaster. It's incredibly overcrowded and slow, and almost always guarantees a 1hr+ wait to get your bags. Unacceptable.