JetBlue has recently made an announcement that it will be offering complimentary carry-on bags for passengers flying with Blue Basic tickets starting on September 6, regardless of when the tickets were purchased. Previously, customers with Blue Basic tickets had to either upgrade their fare or pay extra to bring a carry-on onboard. The airline’s president, Marty St. George, stated that carry-on bags are an important part of travel for customers, and JetBlue wants to ensure it is the preferred choice among other carriers.
JetBlue has taken this step in response to similar efforts by other airlines to improve customer retention. For example, Spirit Airlines recently increased its checked bag weight limit and extended the validity of travel vouchers from 90 days to one year. This enhancement to JetBlue’s policy comes as the airline continues its efforts towards profitability by reducing flights in less lucrative cities in favor of stronger markets in recent years. According to The Associated Press, JetBlue has incurred losses of more than $2 billion since 2019.
Although many of JetBlue’s planes have larger overhead bins, in cases where space is limited, carry-on bags will be checked at the gate at no extra cost to the customer. Passengers with Blue Basic tickets, the lowest tier offered by the airline, will still board among the last and may be subject to a cancellation fee not applicable to other fares. However, this new policy aims to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty while also providing a competitive edge for JetBlue compared to other carriers.
