The first Airbus A320 to feature JetBlue’s updated cabin experience has entered into service – a significant step since this is the first major update of the airline’s A320 cabins since it introduced onboard live television and all-leather seats in 2000.
At the center of the updated cabins is the Meridian seat from Colins Aerospace, with a width of more than 18in, adjustable headrests, a contoured seatback to create extra knee space, a custom seatback stowage feature with an elastic grid, and a pitch claimed to be the longest in economy class of any US airline.
JetBlue is also updating the IFEC systems on the A320s, including 10.1in 1080P Thales Avant seatback displays, with features such as picture-in-picture, a 3D flight map, more than 100 channels of live TV, an expanded catalog of content, and the ability to pair a mobile device to the screen – complemented by the in-seat power.
The free-to-use ViaSat-2 connectivity system will also give customers expanded entertainment choices. The high-speed internet has an expanded coverage area – including throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, where the airline’s ‘Fly-Fi’ branded system had not been available until now.
A320s make up the majority of JetBlue’s fleet, and the first to receive the all-new 2019 design is named ‘If You Can Read This, You’re Blue Close’. Around one third of JetBlue’s A320 fleet – which totals more than 200 aircraft – is scheduled for restyling completion by the end of the year.
The first phase of the A320 interior cabin restyle began in spring 2018 and modernized the airline’s so-called “classic interiors” to bring them more in line with the airline’s newer A321 aircraft – features such as more modern seats (the Collins Aerospace Pinnacle) and larger seatback displays. More than 12 A320 aircraft have been restyled with these products so far and several more are scheduled for completion in the coming weeks. This spring the restyling will see the airline fully transition to the 2019 version of onboard products for all aircraft going forward.
“JetBlue rocked the airline industry in 2000 with seatback television and all leather seats. In our first makeover since, this incredible new onboard experience represents what the founders would have done if they were launching JetBlue today,” said Marty St George, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, JetBlue. “The new experience brings together technology, entertainment, and comfort with the great service JetBlue customers love so much.”
“Thales is proud to have been a business partner with JetBlue since the beginning of their IFE evolution. The airline has reimagined the flying experience, and with our custom-designed Avant IFE solution, we’ve helped JetBlue reimagine their customer experience on the A320 platform,” added Philippe Carette, CEO, Thales InFlyt Experience.
