If you frequently fly JetBlue, your in-flight experience is about to get a whole lot sweeter. Well, that’s if you’re willing to fork over $599 or more for a one-way ticket. That's more than coach, but for first-class, it's something of a bargain.

In 2014, the airline rolled out Mint, beginning with transcontinental flights between New York City and Los Angeles, so you can fly in luxury and arrive in “Mint condition.” Since then, JetBlue has expanded the service to additional routes and, in the next few years, has plans to add even more. “The company has 13 planes outfitted for Mint now and four more coming this year. It expects to take delivery of nine more Mint airplanes in 2017 and more the year after,” noted a recent story in the Wall Street Journal. 

What’s Included in the Mint Experience?

Following are the perks that you get when you purchase one of these JetBlue tickets.

1. Lie-flat seats – JetBlue is known for generous legroom aboard its aircraft. For a fee, you have the option to upgrade to an “Even More Space” seat. However, Mint takes it up a notch with seats that lie flat so you can fly in greater comfort. (Single seats even offer extra privacy with their own door.) These seats are also equipped with massage capabilities so you can give your muscles some soothing relief after a long day of work or travel. 

2. Expedited check-in and boarding – If you tend to run behind schedule or simply want to avoid all the hassle that comes with catching a flight, Mint has you covered. You can check in at an exclusive kiosk and board before all the other passengers. Plus, you’ll be granted access to the security lane with the shortest wait times.

3. In-flight amenities – When you purchase a Mint ticket, these are the amenities you can expect while onboard the jet:

  • Free WiFi: Also known as Fly-Fi, JetBlue offers free broadband internet to all its customers. However, the service provided to Mint patrons is faster.
  • Upscale dining: Mint passengers also receive small plates, artisanal snacks, ice cream and full-bottle wine service during their flight. This is definitely an upgrade from the pint-sized snacks and beverages offered to other passengers for a price. Menus change each month and are posted online.
  • Gift box: You can expect a gift box from beauty company Birchbox filled with grooming products like sunscreen, facial cleaning wipes and other goodies for both men and women.
  • Entertainment: There’s enough to keep you amused, but nothing exceptional for Mint travelers. The in-flight entertainment, which includes DirecTV and SiriusXM Radio, is also provided to customers who fly coach.

4. Post-flight perks – If you have checked your bags, your luggage will be the first to the carousel so you won’t have an added wait at the baggage claim after you disembark from the plane.

Where Mint Will Take You Now

So far, JetBlue has made Mint available on transcontinental and Caribbean routes between the following destinations (all tickets have to be purchased at least 30 days before your departure date):

  • New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
  • New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO)
  • New York (JFK) and Aruba (AUA)
  • New York (JFK) and Barbados (BGI)
  • New York (JFK) and St. Lucia (UVF)
  • New York (JFK) and St. Maarten (SXM)
  • Boston (BOS) and San Francisco (SFO)
  • Boston (BOS) and Barbados (BGI)
  • Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Boston (BOS) and Aruba (AUA)

Over the next couple of years, JetBlue’s expansion plans include flights from Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Seattle and San Diego.

The Price of a Ticket

The rates can be significantly higher than the one-way base price of $599 that is advertised on the JetBlue website.

To illustrate, “for a New York-San Francisco Mint seat departing April 29 and returning May 3, the fare is $1,706 round trip. American wants $2,529 and Delta $3,278 for similar high-end service. Mint seats start at $599 one-way, but a quick check revealed many flights already were sold out weeks in advance,” reported the Wall Street Journal. Mint seats are limited to the first few rows of the plane, which explains why they fill up fast. 

The Bottom Line

Considering the lie-flat seats, private suites, amenities and comparatively reasonable fares, Mint is definitely worth considering if your budget can stand it and you're headed where it's available. But the limited number of routes may force you to look beyond JetBlue to other airline carriers that offer first class and business class flights. (Check out The Best Time to Buy First Class Airline Tickets and 8 Best Websites to Get a Single, First Class Seat.)