JetBlue Comes to LAX
June 18, 2009
For so long now, JetBlue has hovered around the periphery of Los Angeles, dropping passengers some 75 minutes south at the Long Beach "John Wayne" airport, and some 45 minutes northeast at the Burbank "Bob Hope" airport. While they expanded to cover San Diego and San Francisco (SFO mind you, not OAK), LAX wasn't part of the JetBlue equation -- at least, until yesterday. The first time I took a JetBlue flight it was out of the tiny Burbank airport. With its four gates and outdoor luggage carousel, the Burbank airport always feels like you're already on vacation because of the relative lack of chaos. To me, that was always part of the charm of JetBlue -- the tiny airport (and the DirectTV). However, I'm happy to report that JetBlue has finally cracked the inner circle and is now serving LAX direct from JFK, connecting two giant hubs with leather seats and free wifi. I was on the inaugural flight from JFK's fancy pants terminal 5 to LAX's bizzaro cul-de-sac terminal (has anyone else been to the 67B gates with the mini escalators?), and I have to say, it was pretty fun.
Though the flight took off bright and early at 8 am, pulling me out of my apartment at 5:30 am, it was exciting to be a part of the first flight to LAX. The team on board was stacked with heads of staff, and the giveaways on flight included free round trip tickets to anywhere JetBlue “jets,” plus free mimosas and Bloody Mary’s thanks to Absolut. After sufficiently boozing us up with cocktails and plying us with presents, the plane was greeted by none other than the LA fire department. Before we had a chance to panic, the captain came on and assured us that hosing the plane with water was not because of an actual fire, but it was a tradition that all maiden flights receive upon landing on the tarmac. Once inside the LAX terminal, we were greeted with Dodger paraphernalia, balloon arches, what seemed like the entire board of directors for JetBlue, and a band of school kids rocking out “La Cucaracha.” It was charming, festive, and very LA.
I have always like JetBlue, and though I enjoyed my flight with the free booze, I have to say—I definitely don’t like the new policy where you have to pay for the tiny pillow and blanket that they used to hand out for free. Though those static-inducing blankets and miniscule pillows weren’t by any means awesome, they were something. The idea that I have to pay $7 for those just seems ridiculous. If I’m going to pay, maybe you could bring me a full-size pillow? In any case, flights are running about $134 each way coast to coast ($141 if you want a little pillow and blanket).
Comments (2)
Posted by R. M. on Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 03.47 pm
First of all, get your facts straight. I’m a native of Los Angeles, and Long Beach isn’t 75 minutes south of LAX. Even in gridlocked traffic, it’s about 45 minutes at the most. The 405 moves decently south to Long Beach. Second, Long Beach airport isn’t “John Wayne Airport.” John Wayne is an entirely different airport in Orange County. You should have spent more than 30 seconds doing research before you wrote the interminable dross that is this article.
Second, at $134, how can you honestly expect a free pillow and blanket? You’re already getting live DirectTV, and free snacks, which is more than most economy airlines offer. Second, it’s $7, a petty sum for even a member of the lower class. You come across as the typical budget traveler that wants first class treatment at an economy price. Get a grip.
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Posted by JaceRH on Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 12.14 pm
I think you should give them a little more credit for the pillow policy...although the $7 pillow and blanket set is a far cry from “free,” I like knowing that they’re unused. I’m sure those free blankets and pillows were at least clean, but I know for sure that the $7 is for a new set. And there’s a $5 coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond—granted, I always get those “20% off” postcards from them in the mail, so it’s not worth a whole lot—but it’s a nice touch.