Gallery: Look at JetBlue's Swanky New Cabins for Elite Fliers
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For the first time in its 15 year history, JetBlue will be offering multiple levels of service in its cabins. For a premium price passengers can gain access to lie-flat seats and private suites. *Photo: JetBlue*
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The core feature of the upgraded "Mint" experience is a lie-flat seat that can accomodate a sleeping passenger up to 6' 8" tall, or put another way, a fully prone Lebron James. The seat also features an innovative air mattress that can be adjusted to meet the passenger's ideal level of firmness. *Photo: JetBlue*
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During waking hours, the seats have a number of subtle benefits—multiple power outlets, privacy screens, and an upgraded menu designed by one of Zagat's top-ten rated restaurants in New York City. "Mint" seats start at $599 for one-way passage. *Photo: JetBlue*
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But project lead Donny Uselmann is adamant that JetBlue doesn't offer different classes, just different experiences. *Photo: JetBlue*
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Upgrading seats in an airplane is a slow process—the FAA has stringent requirements on flammability, crash resistance, and other failure modes. It's part of the reason why we still see ashtrays on the occasional plane, even though smoking has been banned since Bill Clinton was president. *Photo: JetBlue*
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The mesh pocket was a small innovation inspired by observing passengers who would find strange ways to support their smartphones. This simple solution provides an easy place to rest an iPhone and also has a charging cable to keep the power levels topped off. *Photo: JetBlue*
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Many of the innovations JetBlue developed for the premium seats will spread throughout the cabin. *Photo: JetBlue*
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"Do not disturb" signs are common even in the shadiest motels, but many a sleeping passengers have had their slumber interrupted by overzealous flight attendants faithfully executing their duties. With this onboard overhaul passengers will now be able to push a button that lets the flight crew know if you want to be woken for breakfast or to catch every last wink before touchdown. *Photo: JetBlue* *Photo: JetBlue*
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Many of these changes may seem small at first glance, but from the seated perspective the difference becomes clear immediately. *Photo: JetBlue*
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By getting their hands dirty and physically prototyping new seat concepts, the JetBlue team came up with new ideas, like a privacy door that transforms a seat into a suite. *Photo: JetBlue*
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While their competitors selected off-the-shelf seating solutions, the JetBlue team partnered with an Irish company called Thompson Aero Seating to design a new concept from the ground up. *Photo: JetBlue*
