JetBlue is opening BlueHouse, its first airport
lounge this week at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5.
The 9,000-square-foot space is inspired by a classic New York apartment.
“The two-floor JFK lounge was designed in an art deco style with free Wi-Fi, open seating and grab-and-go New York standards, like bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast and
pastrami on rye later in the day, the airline said. Beverage providers include Joe Coffee and beer bar chain the Greats of Craft,” according to CNBC. “The lounge’s cocktail partner is the bar Please Don’t Tell and, just like
that East Village speakeasy, not everyone is getting in.”
There are several ways customers can quality for entry: one, by being booked on JetBlue’s transAtlantic Mint
business-class cabin. They can bring one complimentary guest and each additional visitor is $39. Second, holders of JetBlue’s Premier Mastercard credit card, who can also bring in a first guest
free of charge and pay $39 for each guest after that. Finally, Mosaic 4 elite frequent flyer status holders, at the top tier of JetBlue’s loyalty program.
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The BlueHouse
moniker was chosen to reflect that the airline isn’t actually referring to it as a “lounge,” says Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, during a recent preview of the
space.
“Playful monikers are ingrained in the JetBlue DNA,” according to Afar. “More than a decade ago, the airline introduced lie-flat seats on select
aircraft. But instead of calling it business class, it was dubbed Mint. Branding and naming conventions aside, JetBlue’s first foray into airport lounges is a major move for the New York
City–based carrier. It’s all part of the airline’s strategy to address growing demand for premium leisure travel, which will also include the introduction of a domestic first-class
cabin in 2026.”
The 26-year-old airline is joining the other brands seeking to build loyalty with customers via premium perks including Delta Air Lines, United, Air France,
Virgin Atlantic, American Express and Capital One.
“Limited access passes will be available in February 2026,” according to Skift. “The lounge is currently not open to reciprocal members of United
Airlines’ loyalty program. The two airlines launched a partnership in May. St. George said the company wants to keep the entry requirements selective. It’s a shift in approach for an
airline once “known for its egalitarian experience: all-coach cabins, no long-haul flights, and few bells and whistles beyond its trademark seatback screens,” according to The Points Guy, which offers a comprehensive evaluation of the space, which includes a small library
and gameroom. “It's also just the start of a lounge portfolio that, like JetBlue's lie-flat Mint seats, once seemed unthinkable for the airline.”