JetBlue Policies: Everything You Need to Know

The Big Picture on JetBlue

JetBlue occupies a sweet spot between legacy carriers and ultra-low-cost airlines. You get free wifi, free carry-on bags, free live TV, and the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline. The trade-off is a smaller route network -- JetBlue focuses on the East Coast, Caribbean, Central America, and select transcontinental routes out of hubs in New York-JFK, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

But on the routes it flies, JetBlue often delivers more value than the big three. Its Mint product competes directly with legacy business class at a fraction of the price, and the free wifi alone saves you $10+ per flight compared to paying on other airlines.

Carry-On and Personal Item Policy

Carry-On Bag (Free on All Fares)

Every JetBlue fare includes one free carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin. Maximum dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9 inches including handles and wheels. This applies to all fare types, including the cheapest Blue Basic.

Personal Item (Free)

You also get a free personal item on every fare. Maximum size is 17 x 13 x 8 inches. That covers a backpack, purse, laptop bag, or approved pet carrier.

Checked Baggage Fees

JetBlue uses peak/off-peak pricing for checked bags, and prepaying online saves you money:

• 1st checked bag: $35 off-peak / $40 peak (prepaid online). Add $5-$10 at the airport
• 2nd checked bag: $50 off-peak / $60 peak (prepaid online)
• 3rd checked bag: $125
• 4th checked bag: $150

Standard bags must be 62 linear inches or smaller and weigh 50 lbs or less. Overweight bags (51-99 lbs) cost $150 extra, and oversized bags (63-80 linear inches) also cost $150.

Save $5 on each of your first two bags by prepaying online -- it's an easy way to cut costs.

Who Gets Free Checked Bags

• Blue Plus fare: 1 free checked bag
• Mint fare: 2 free checked bags
• Mosaic status: 2 free checked bags
• JetBlue Plus Card: 1 free checked bag
• Active military: 2 free checked bags with valid ID

Cancellation and Change Policy

JetBlue's cancellation policy is relatively straightforward:

• 24-hour rule: Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if your trip is at least 7 days away
• Blue Basic: Non-refundable and non-changeable after the 24-hour window. You lose the ticket value
• Blue and above: No change fees. Cancel and receive a JetBlue Travel Bank credit for the ticket value
• Refundable fares: Full refund to your original payment method
• Extras: Any add-ons (pet fees, Even More Space, etc.) are refunded if you cancel before departure

JetBlue Travel Bank credits don't expire for Mosaic members. For everyone else, credits typically expire 12 months from issuance. If JetBlue cancels your flight, you're entitled to a full refund regardless of fare type.

Name Change Policy

JetBlue has one of the more restrictive name change policies:

• Minor corrections: Fixing misspellings and adding a middle name are allowed
• Legal name changes: Permitted for marriage, divorce, or court-ordered changes, as long as date of birth and gender remain the same
• Limit: Only one name change is allowed per ticket
• Transfers: You cannot transfer a ticket to a different person. Cancel and rebook under the new name instead

Catch name errors early. Within the 24-hour booking window, you can cancel for free and rebook with the correct name. After that, you're limited to one correction per ticket.

Seat Selection Policy

JetBlue's seat selection varies by fare:

• Blue Basic: No seat selection at booking. You'll be assigned a seat at check-in
• Blue: Free seat selection at booking
• Blue Extra: Free seat selection including Even More Space seats with extra legroom
• Mint: Full premium cabin seat selection, including lie-flat seats on select routes

Even More Space

JetBlue's extra-legroom seats offer up to 38 inches of pitch -- significantly more than the industry average. Prices vary by route but typically range from $15 to $75 per segment. Even More Space also comes with early boarding and faster access to overhead bins.

Mosaic members get complimentary Even More Space seats when available.

Pet Policy

JetBlue allows small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin:

• Fee: $125 each way
• Carrier requirements: FAA-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Maximum size approximately 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches
• Limit: One pet per passenger
• Species: Only small dogs and cats

The pet fee is refundable if you cancel before departure. JetBlue limits the number of pets per flight, so book early. Pets aren't allowed in exit rows or Mint suites.

JetBlue doesn't offer cargo pet shipping. Emotional support animals are no longer accepted -- only trained service dogs can travel outside a carrier.

Wifi and Entertainment

This is where JetBlue really stands out. Free wifi has been a JetBlue signature for years:

• Fly-Fi: Free high-speed wifi on every single JetBlue flight. No loyalty program membership required, no purchase necessary
• Speed: Fast enough for streaming video, video calls, and large downloads on most flights
• Upcoming upgrade: JetBlue is partnering with Amazon's Project Kuiper for next-generation satellite internet, which will deliver even faster speeds

JetBlue also provides free live TV with 100+ channels of DirecTV on seatback screens, plus free movies and on-demand content. Every seat has a personal screen -- no need to download an app or use your own device.

Between the free wifi and the live TV, JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is arguably the best among U.S. domestic carriers.

Other Key Policies

Unaccompanied Minors

Children ages 5-13 must travel as unaccompanied minors on nonstop flights only. The fee is $150 each way. Kids 14-17 can fly alone without the service.

Mint (Premium Cabin)

JetBlue Mint offers lie-flat seats on transcontinental and Caribbean routes. It includes 2 free checked bags, free seat selection, premium food and drinks, and access to amenity kits. Mint is often priced significantly below what legacy carriers charge for business class on the same routes.

Boarding

JetBlue boards by groups. Mint and Mosaic board first, followed by Even More Space holders, then general boarding by group number. Blue Basic passengers board last.

Legroom

JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline, with a minimum of 32 inches of pitch in its core cabin and up to 38 inches in Even More Space. If legroom matters to you, JetBlue is a standout.

Food and Drinks

Complimentary snacks (including Terra chips and cookies) and non-alcoholic beverages on all flights. Alcoholic drinks cost $9-$11. Mint passengers get a full meal service with premium food and cocktails.

TrueBlue Program

JetBlue's loyalty program earns points based on dollars spent. The top tier is Mosaic status, which provides perks including free Even More Space, priority boarding, 2 free checked bags, and accelerated point earning. Points don't expire as long as you have TrueBlue activity at least once every 24 months. TrueBlue points are also transferable to other TrueBlue members, which is a nice feature most airline programs don't offer.

Power and Charging

Every JetBlue seat has a power outlet. Newer A321neo aircraft have both USB-A and AC outlets, while older A320s typically have AC outlets and EmPower ports. Bring your charging cable -- between free wifi, live TV, and the seatback screen, you'll want a full battery.

Blue Basic Considerations

Blue Basic is JetBlue's cheapest fare, and while it includes more than ultra-low-cost carriers (free carry-on, free wifi, seatback TV), it does come with restrictions. You won't be able to select a seat until check-in, you'll board last, and changes aren't permitted after the 24-hour window. If flexibility matters, upgrading to Blue is usually worth the small price difference.

Route Network

JetBlue's strength is the East Coast corridor and Caribbean. It dominates routes from New York and Boston to Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America. Its transcontinental Mint service from JFK and Boston to Los Angeles and San Francisco is considered one of the best-value premium products in the country. JetBlue also flies to London and Paris from New York and Boston, offering a budget-friendly transatlantic alternative with Mint lie-flat seats.