The only airline that flies directly from Vancouver to New York City just introduced a business class option on the route.
JetBlue introduced a direct route in 2022 between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK); it is the only direct option for the popular route. The airline also flies direct from Vancouver to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
Travellers can go direct from YVR to EWR, located across the river from NYC in Newark, New Jersey, on carriers like Air Canada, with flights operated by United.
Cathay Pacific stopped flying to JFK from YVR in March 2020. The Hong Kong-based carrier has flown out of its home base to Vancouver since 1983, and it added flights between Vancouver and New York in 1996. At the time, the route carried the airline’s only flights to the Big Apple.
Flatbed service YVR-JFK with more business class perks
JetBlue Director of Domestic Cities Erik Hildebrandt says the route's popularity made it a natural selection for aircraft featuring its premium-class cabins called Mint.
"We are the only carrier offering a flatbed service between Vancouver and the New York area," he told V.I.A. during an interview at the launch of the new service on Sunday, July 21.
"From there, customers can continue to London, Aruba, and many other destinations."
JetBlue's red-eye flights from Vancouver to New York depart at 10:30 p.m. and arrive in New York the next day at 6:48 a.m. Each Mint seat and suite features a fully lie-flat bed and Tuft & Needle Adaptive foam cushions, allowing customers to sleep during red-eye flights or long hauls.
"It's our version of an elevated premium experience for our transcontinental flights with tapas dining," Hildebrandt explained. "Our in-flight staff is specially trained to work in the cabin versus a lot of other carriers."
JetBlue's cheapest round-trip option for Mint class on the route is $1,823, which is considered low for business class trips to New York. According to Google Flights, similar trips usually cost $332 more, meaning tickets in September and October are a considerable savings on the popular route.
What does Mint offer beyond JetBlue's basic fares?
Hildebrandt notes that JetBlue has the most legroom of any U.S. airline in its economy class (called Core) or other fare classes. The airline also has a self-serve snack bar in the economy area where guests can enjoy unlimited snacks and drinks.
Travellers can choose between several fare classes, including Blue Basic, Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint, to keep the price of tickets low or add on extra perks.
"Guests get to pick and choose what they want and we don't compromise on service," he noted.
In the Mint class, guests will enjoy multiple perks in addition to fully reclining beds, including:
- Restaurant-style small plates curated by Delicious Hospitality Group’s (DHG) popular New York City restaurants Legacy Records, Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones
- 15-inch (or larger) TV filled with free on-demand movies and shows, live TV, curated content, plus meditation and sleepscapes from Open and more.
- A dedicated Mint check-in line and access to priority security in select airports
- Priority boarding and preferred bag claim
- Travel and wellness essentials in amenity kits specially designed by Caraa
- JetBlue’s signature onboard experience Vancouver-based customers already have access to unlimited, high-speed Fly-Fi
Guests flying with JetBlue on transatlantic flights can enjoy the Legacy Mint product. Most are on the airline's Airbus A321 Long Range, which has only 114 seats and 24 suites.
Will JetBlue expand to any other Canadian cities?
Vancouver is the only Canadian city the airline flies to...but Hildebrandt didn't say an expansion was off the table.
When asked what Canadian destinations are on JetBlue's radar, he declined to comment. However, he noted that the two routes out of Vancouver have seen growth and the airline is always looking at new opportunities.
"Vancouver will always be the first," he said.
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