Carry-on bags are back in JetBlue basic economy

JetBlue is taking away one of the pain points in its basic economy offering. From 6 September 2024 passengers on a Blue Basic fare will be permitted to bring a carry-on bag into the cabin.

Carry-on bags are an important part 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.

– Marty St. George, president, JetBlue

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JetBlue removed the carry-on allowance from Blue Basic fares in February 2021. At that time the company described the move as “a logical way to differentiate Blue Basic on price and ensure we have the space we need for our new carry-on bag guarantee.” The carry-on bag guarantee is no longer a factor. And the company seems to think the policy is pushing away potential customers. Company president Marty St. George described the shift as “a win-win as we improve the customer experience and keep JetBlue competitive in our industry.”

Blue Basic passengers remain last to board the plane. As overhead bins fill up they may find that their bags are checked anyways. At least now they won’t be asked to pay $65 at the gate for that experience. In announcing the change JetBlue also notes that buying up to a higher fare will allow earlier boarding, increasing odds of the bag getting into an overhead bin.

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Airlines outside the ULCC segment have suggested that their basic economy fares are designed to encourage passengers to pay more for increased benefits (e.g. seat selection, boarding priority, flexibility). And both JetBlue and United have argued that eliminating the carry-on bag option on basic fares reduces the number of bags to gate check, increasing the odds of on-time departures.

This policy change, while definitely passenger-friendly, seems to fly in the face of those arguments. Perhaps JetBlue has been ceding basic economy passengers to American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. This could help the carrier capture that revenue. But it also could reduce the number of passengers buying up to Blue for the carry-on bag option where competition isn’t in play.