JetBlue to (finally) introduce airport lounges

As a semi-low-cost-carrier, JetBlue has long operated on a model which made it believe that it did not need to provide lounges to its customers.

The model started to creak when it launched long haul flights to Europe and failed to bundle lounge access for passengers flying in its Mint Suite business class cabin.

Whilst the experience matches – and in some way surpasses – what legacy carriers have offered, lounge access is glaringly absent.

In fact, I can’t think of any other airline that does not provide lounge access to long haul business class passengers. (Some airlines such as Finnair have introduced ‘Business Light’ which doesn’t come with lounge access but it does offer lounge access for all other business class passengers and status holders.)

I found it particularly annoying on a flight from Boston to London via New York, when I had a 2-hour layover at JFK and was trying to work in a chair by the gate.

So it’s welcome news that JetBlue will introduce its own lounges at Boston Logan and New York JFK, its two hubs in the US. The first lounge will open in late 2025 in JFK Terminal 5 to be followed Boston, presumably in early 2026.

Access will be restricted to:

• Holders of a new US premium JetBlue credit card to be announced soon
• Top-tier TrueBlue Mosaic customers
• Transatlantic Mint customers

It will be interesting to see at what level JetBlue pitches these lounges, as United, Delta and American all operate two-tier lounges: Clubs for domestic travel and upgraded United Polaris / Delta One / AA Flagship for intercontinental long haul travel.

I’m also curious to see if JetBlue will add lounge access in London and other European airports it flies to, or whether it will continue its policy of not including this in transatlantic Mint fares.

You can read my review of Mint Suite and Mint Studio on JetBlue’s A321LR here.

How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (December 2024)

Here are the four options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 80,000 Avios! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.

You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 30,000 Avios. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card, which has a lower fee and also comes with Radison Rewards VIP status:

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.