JetBlue raised the curtain this week on its reimagined version of its Mint experience, for its A321neo business-class cabins.
In the first major overhaul of Mint since its introduction in 2014, passengers should be able to appreciate the enhanced product when it debuts on JetBlue’s first-ever transatlantic flights to London (planned for this summer, travel restrictions permitting). Domestic passengers in the US will be able to enjoy it on select flights between New York and LA later this year, albeit on a smaller scale.
JetBlue’s refreshed Mint cabin is the result of a collaboration with London-based design studio Acumen, and the outcome is amazing.
At the heart of the experience is a bespoke version of the VantageSOLO seat from Thompson Aero Seating, which includes all seats having suite doors – the first all-suite-door business-class cabin on an A321.
As Neil Taggart, Vice President and General Manager at Thompson Aero Seating, commented: “The arrangement of the VantageSOLO (inward-facing herringbone layout) is quite ground-breaking on this type of aircraft. From only a 33-inch seat pitch, it offers a fully-horizontal flat bed with direct aisle access for every seat. For JetBlue’s reimagined Mint, we have configured this with a fully functioning suite door, offering an exclusive business-class-seating experience normally only the reserve of a widebody cabin.”
Bespoke styling and features for JetBlue include unique mattress comfort technology from Tuft and Needle incorporated into the seat cushions supplied by Sabeti Wain, plus personal and additional stowage facilities including a laptop drawer.
The brand-new Mint Studio, an enhanced front-row seating product, includes an electrically actuated guest seat that translates into bed mode at the same time as the main seat to provide an increased sleeping surface and a large executive table for enhanced dining or working.
Other features include integrated wireless charging and customised lighting including a Polystone feature light and custom-colour reading light from Beadlight, plus customised thermoplastics (from Kydex) with unique Mint graphics.
As Mariya Stoyanova, Director of Product Development at JetBlue, commented: “Mint’s thoughtful design has resonated with so many customers over the years, and we are looking forward to bringing this next evolution of our award-winning premium product across the pond later this year.”
And so are we.
