JetBlue has finally opened ticket sales for BlueFirst, its long-awaited domestic first class cabin that will eventually appear on every plane without the premium Mint product. The first flight departs December 8, 2026, between Boston and Fort Lauderdale, with introductory fares from $299. New York LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale routes follow within days, from $249. Most non-Mint aircraft should be retrofitted during 2027, wrapping up by early 2028.

The cabin uses the Collins Aerospace MiQ seat — the same baseline model as American's domestic first class — in a 2-2 layout with up to 37 inches of pitch and five inches of recline. A320s and A220s get 12 seats; A321s get 16. Each seat has a 13.3-inch entertainment screen with Bluetooth, plus USB-A, USB-C and AC power, and JetBlue's free Wi-Fi carries over.

There are some distinctive touches. Meals, served in bento-style boxes on flights of 899 miles or more, pair a main, side and dessert — think sweet or savoury crepes, or sesame noodles with beef or tofu. Snacks rotate through brands like Cape Cod Chips and Sockerbit, drinks include wines from New York's Parcelle, coffee from Cometeer and Joe Coffee, and Smith Teamaker teas. A "Mixologist Mode" in the seatback ordering system lets passengers build a custom cocktail from a spirit, mixer and flavourings. One catch worth knowing: there are no ovens on these aircraft, so every meal is cold.

BlueFirst tickets come with priority check-in, expedited security, Group 1 boarding and dedicated bin space — but note the cheapest "Base" fares exclude seat selection and carry change fees.

Mosaic loyalty members get a slice of the action. Move to Mint Certificates become Premium Upgrade Certificates, usable on BlueFirst, with Mosaic 3 and 4 tiers receiving them as benefits. At launch, Mosaic members on most fares (excluding Main Base and Even More Base) can also request complimentary space-available upgrades before departure.

Here's the trade-off for everyone in the back: JetBlue is fitting first class without losing capacity by cutting standard economy pitch from 32 inches to 30 inches. That ends JetBlue's run as the US airline with the most generous economy legroom, pulling it down to industry standard. Some planes will also lose extra-legroom rows.

It's a pragmatic bet. JetBlue, carrying roughly $9 billion in debt, earns no revenue premium for its superior economy product, while demand for paid premium cabins keeps climbing — especially on routes like New York to Florida. The strategy should also help fill Mint on connecting itineraries. For travellers, the takeaway is simple: book BlueFirst for a genuinely refreshed premium experience on East Coast routes, and if you're flying economy from late 2026 onwards, expect a tighter squeeze than you're used to from JetBlue.