jetBlue’s Mint a great example of innovation; next phase now tests its premium model more widely

Nearly two years ago jetBlue debuted its Mint premium product, which was a bold move for a low cost, hybrid-like North American airline. The company is the only low cost airline in the Americas that offers a dedicated premium product, and the success of Mint has even surprised jetBlue's senior management.

In an increasingly vanilla US marketplace, largely driven by Wall Street analysyt demands for short term profits, Mint's success has beaten jetBlue's own expectations, and now the airline is planning a massive expansion of Mint routes from its three largest bases - New York, Boston and Fort Lauderdale. jetBlue is undertaking the spread of Mint as Alaska and Virgin America work to gain approval for their merger, then to embark on a years-long integration process of the two. During that time jetBlue will leverage its strengths to inject a premium product into some of Alaska and Virgin America's important transcontinental markets.

There is much for jetBlue to digest as it works to roll out Mint in several additional markets. But with Mint's current track record, jetBlue is not surprisingly remaining open-minded about its scope.