JetBlue’s rock-bottom fare, called Blue Basic, is getting an enhancement at the end of the summer; after September 6, the airline will allow Blue Basic customers to bring a carry-on bag for free.
The fare originally included a carry-on when it was introduced in 2019, but it was taken away in 2021 at the same time that the airline, like others, eliminated most change and cancelation fees…although not for Blue Basic.
The airline is not being all that nice to Blue Basic, though: it still does not allow any changes and charges $100 per ticket for canceling, or $200 on transatlantic flights. And, Blue Basic customers board last, so they are the most likely to have their bags gate-checked when the overhead compartments are filled.
Still, JetBlue hopes the move will help win back some customers who might have opted for a budget airline that allowed a carryon. JetBlue President Marty St George told press that “Carry-on bags are an important piece of travel to customers, and when presented with a choice between JetBlue’s award-winning service and another carrier’s basic offering, we want JetBlue to be the easy winner.”
