JetBlue Airways is shaking up the transcontinental premium market with the introduction of Mint. The airline is promising an ‘unparalleled in-flight experience’ with ‘the longest lie-flat beds in domestic business class and four private suites among the 16 Mint seats’.

Fares are now on sale for $499 one way from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) for travel between June 15 – the first day Mint flights will be in service – and June 18, 2014 – the end of JetBlue’s current schedule. JetBlue’s summer 2014 schedule will be rolled out in November, starting at $599 one-way.

“Just as we revolutionized the core travel experience more than a decade ago with an elevated product and customer-focused culture, we intend to reinvent the lucrative coast-to-coast market with Mint,” said JetBlue President and CEO Dave Barger.

“Mint is JetBlue’s refreshing take on a premium class product. It is stylish service minus all of the stuffiness often associated with the traditional front-of-the-cabin experience. JetBlue is truly all about serving the under-served, the customer who wants to enjoy first-rate service at an exceptional and affordable fare.

“We believe Mint is better than other airlines’ first and business class service, and with fares that make it accessible to everyone, we think Mint will become the obvious choice for customers flying across the country. This is the JetBlue way, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard.”

First-rate service
Mint will feature a pre-departure drink, followed by a cocktail and amuse-bouche once airborne. JetBlue, New York’s Hometown Airline™, has partnered with the popular New York City-based restaurant Saxon + Parole to curate the onboard menu. Mint travelers will customize their meal by choosing among five “comfort food with a twist” offerings, served tapas-style, followed by dessert. Fresh cappuccino and espresso made from the first purposely built cappuccino machine for a U.S. airline will be available throughout the flight.

“It is a dream come true to work with such an innovative company like JetBlue and curate part of the onboard Mint experience,” said Brad Farmerie, executive chef, Saxon + Parole. “Our vision from the very beginning was to create a truly memorable experience for the customer, and keep it in line with what is typical Saxon + Parole, food that is full of vibrant color and freshness, and resonates exciting and memorable flavors. My hope is that every JetBlue Mint customer will walk off the plane wondering why they have never had such a food experience in the air before.”

JetBlue will also be the only U.S. airline to offer customized men’s and women’s amenity kits from partner Birchbox, a global discovery retail company that offers consumers a personalized way to discover, learn about and purchase the best beauty and grooming products from prestigious brands. With an amenity kit designed specifically for JetBlue, loyal customers will receive new favorite products often as these unique kits will be changed several times throughout the year.

“We are longtime fans of JetBlue and its innovative approach to air travel,” said Katia Beauchamp, co-Founder and co-CEO of Birchbox. “We are thrilled to partner with JetBlue to bring our unique discovery experience to Mint customers. We are confident this first-of-its-kind inflight amenity experience will surprise and delight customers, leaving them relaxed and recharged.”