In a sad reflection of the new cost-cutting mentality at JetBlue, hot meals have been eliminated from Core (economy) class on transatlantic flights.
JetBlue Eliminates Popular Hot Meal Service On Transatlantic Economy Class Flights
JetBlue offers quite a unique transatlantic product onboard its Airbus A321 jets. Everyone enjoys extra legroom, fast wi-fi is complimentary from gate to gate, and until recently, a delicious hot meal was offered onboard to economy class passengers.
But JetBlue has updated its menus and standardized its transatlantic meal offerings, now exclusively offering cold meals onboard in Core. Until this summer, passengers could expect the sort of hot meal in economy class that passengers flying business class on other carriers would have been envious of when traveling on A321LR jets. Those traveling on A321neo received a cold meal because those aircraft are not (currently) equipped with ovens in economy class.
But for the final quarter of 2024, JetBlue has standardized the menu and will offer a cold meal regardless of aircraft type or departure point.
You can review transatlantic menus here.
I asked JetBlue for official confirmation last week and while I was promised an answer, I never heard back. While not officially linked, JetBlue has eliminated one flight attendant from these aircraft and to compensate for the greater workload, has eliminated hot meals in economy class. This further advances JetBlue’s goal of returning to profitability, with the idea that it must find more ways to cut costs.
JetBlue:
“Email from TWU Union to JetBlue Flight Attendants. Beginning September, offering up to six months LOA, cutting flying hours, reducing FA staffing on Transatlantic, and splitting FA up rather than the same FAs remaining together on the entire pairing.” pic.twitter.com/JYVRdCWhFO— JonNYC (@xJonNYC) July 18, 2024
While the meals still look decent as far as economy class meals go, it is a shame that JetBlue has made this cutback (it’s also a shame I had an equipment swap on my last JetBlue transatlantic flight and ended up with something far less than even this).
Part of me hopes that JetBlue will eventually re-introduce hot meals onboard, but at least through the end of 2024, you can expect a cold meal only.
> Read More: JetBlue’s Impressive Transatlantic Economy Class Product
In these challenging times we all should stand in solidarity with Israel and support Israeli people who are constantly being bullied and targeted by neighbouring countries.
Lol! We do not stand with aggressive apartheid terror states that engage in militaristic inhumane occupation, zionistic land grabs, and bloodthirsty merciless genocide All funded by the US. Keep your politics out of this. And if you don’t be prepared to be called out on it. Your horns are showing.
Not related to meals but curious on the following statement “fast wi-fi is complimentary from gate to gate”. Why does Delta (not sure about other airlines) still say that their wi-fi only turns on after the plane reaches 10k ft and it shuts down automatically when the planes descends below 10k ft? Is that some old stupid rule that they still enforce? Also, what about the other rule that you have to turn your cell phone into “airplane mode” after the plane door is closed? I guarantee you that 99% of the passengers do not comply with that and I have never seen any consequences to the plane operations. Is that another old rule that the airlines keep “enforcing” for absolutely no reason?
I’m not familiar with the technical aspects of the respective systems, but I love that JetBlue wi-fi starts working as you board on the new aircraft…it’s a nice thing.
On united, it does not turn on until after takoeff but does work until landing except on regional jets with GoGo internet.
That 10k ft shutoff is only on Gogo Wifi. The newer free Viasat wifi work all the time, even in boarding/deplaning
And it worked “gate-to-gate” in my last TATL trip to EDI.
You are correct and I have seen wi-fi working gat to gate so it might be lazy FAs being by the book and reading an old statement from their notebook.
Hopefully Delta doesn’t hear about this and follow suit.
Considering the modern Delta is just a JetBlue copycat, it just might happen.
Start treating customer right – Delta copies
Free TV – Delta copies
Free WiFi – Delta copies
Lie Flat TransCon Business – Delta copies
Grow JFK – Delta copies
Grow BOS – Delta copies
The whole airline is unoriginal and pathetic. But they do run a good operation.
Interesting list. Also interesting is that none of your points addresses loyalty in any way. It seems that the more loyal you are to Delta the more they screw you over. I say this as a once-rabid Delta loyalist who only flies them now when I’m willing to engage in a serious argument with my wife because Delta has screwed us over so badly and often.
Or United. I really enjoy their catering and in-flight experience in coach across the pond. They’re in-flight entertainment is tops
It’s my understanding that this has to do more so with fleet issues relating to PW engines rather than the elimination of the 5th FA.
With DUB/EDI being gone for the winter it allows for subs between the Neo and the LR – the Neos lack ovens in the Y galley.
That’s an interesting theory.
JetBlue should drop the TATL network full stop. It doesn’t work but for a few weeks in peak summer.
What possessed them to directly (and DUB aside, exclusively) fight DL and SkyTeam in their core hubs (CDG, LHR, AMS) in the first place?
@Matthew: is it a coincidence or are you and OMAAT in some sort of partnership now? You both have almost exactly same articles on United bringing canned wine and JetBlue eliminating hot meals. Even the pictures are the same. Hope you keep focusing on unique articles and not a clone of OMAAT.
I wrote both articles before he did…
That is what I thought so he is basically copying you now.
Ben is a friend and we have similar interests. I don’t blame him for writing about what I find interesting and I do the same, as I’m sure you see. We may not bring unique perspectives on news items, but I do think our blogs are unique overall.
Both blogs are focused on similar areas and so it’s to be expected they will report on similar stories. As for the images, they’re likely the ones supplied by the airlines. Such the wine cans on United.
Correct.
Not blaming him at all. Just thought it was an interesting timing.
I mean, it’s 2 articles out of a dew dozen, so not exactly a trend…
It may be deplorable that they are eliminating hot meals. But not as deplorable as serving those meals in the first place. Feeding an entire Y section of what are basically TV dinners never ends well and I’d be happier with a quality cold dish any day.
I do wonder if this will permit Jet Blue to pull convection ovens out – they cannot be light.
But that’s the thing, the JetBlue meals were never like frozen meals. In fact, they were better than business class on many carriers.
What a pity….the modular food orders off the entertainment screens and the pleasant food introduced a lovely fun element that made you feel you werent just cargo but a human being!