JetBlue is removing a row of seats from each of their Airbus A320s, giving passengers more legroom: at least 36 inches of seat pitch in rows 1 through 11, and at least 34 inches in rows 12 through 25.
The move, which is expected to be implemented by March 2007, isn’t entirely charitable. Taking out seats allows them to cut the number of flight attendants on board each flight:
JetBlue estimates a net savings of $30 million over five years by removing six seats from the A320 fleet, as a result of reducing the inflight crewmember team to three, and by reducing the weight of the aircraft by approximately 904 pounds, which will lower the fuel burn. That figure includes lost revenue opportunities as a result of selling six fewer seats per A320 flight.
Stinks for flight attendants, who just had their available positions cut by 25%. But it’s good for passengers, who see two inches of extra legroom. This is about the same as Economy Plus on United, which is reserved for United elites and those willing to pay a small premium to get the extra room.
But hold on: This turns the front of the cabin into a premium section, something the airline never had before. The old configuration has more legroom in the back of the plane, as a sort of tradeoff: The back rows get more room, but the front rows get to exit the plane faster (and less engine noise).
Now, however, the new layout means the front of the plane gets both the benefits of being in the front of the cabin AND the best legroom. Effectively, it’s a premium economy section.
Will JetBlue eventually start charging a premium for the seats in rows 1 through 11? I’m betting yes.
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December 14th, 2006 at 10:18 am
I disagree.
Jetblue has been very strong on having a 1-class system. Not having a first class, not having elite members, etc.
I don’t see them about to start now just because they’re giving 2 extra inches to the front seats…
December 14th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Then why wouldn’t they give the back of the plane the 36″, or give everyone the average 35″? Why privilege the front on all counts? The old tradeoff is out the window. I guess we’ll see if they monetize the front-of-the-plane advantage… I’m betting they will.
December 15th, 2006 at 10:21 am
I don’t think it’ll happen. I agree with Dan that they’re strong on having a 1-class product. I have to assume that the reason they removed a row up front is because it made it closer to the pitch in the back. Had they removed the row from the back, the front would be 32″ and the back would be somewhere just shy of 36″ and that’s far worse than the 36″/34″ deal they have now.
Also remember that JetBlue does a lot of rear boarding and deplaning, so the benefits of sitting up front aren’t as great.
February 1st, 2007 at 3:49 pm
[...] Remember when jetBlue announced it would take out a row of seats, primarily to save on labor costs, but simultaneously adding a few inches of legroom? I noted at the time that the front of the plane was getting the bulk of the benefit. More room than the back, plus easier boarding and exiting (at least at airports where the airline didn’t use the air-stairs.) [...]
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 pm
[...] US and Europe are moving closer together after all. Creating a premium cabin is in line with what I predicted for jetBlue a while back. Their de facto premium economy section was a first [...]
March 19th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
[...] – JetBlue increases legroom, creates de facto premium section – JetBlue introduces premium economy cabin after all – Wilkommen! Bienvenue! JetBlue to go [...]
April 26th, 2010 at 6:41 am
i am going on jet blue soon to go to ARUBA