Business
JetBlue unveils first-ever airport lounge, BlueHouse. Here’s what’s inside
JetBlue Airways’ new lounge, BlueHouse, at JFK’s Terminal 5.
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways‘ first airport lounge since it started flying nearly 26 years ago is here, inspired by a New York City apartment — but bigger.
The 9,000-square foot lounge, called BlueHouse, is set to open Dec. 18 at 5 a.m. ET at the airline’s home hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5.
A seating area in JetBlue’s new airport lounge
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
With the new space, JetBlue joins the ranks of larger carriers like Delta Air Lines and credit card companies like Chase, American Express and Capital One in the industry’s endless battle for customers who are willing to spend more to travel. It’s not alone in joining the race. Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC on Wednesday that the carrier is “actively pursuing” a network of airport lounges.
JetBlue is planning to open another BlueHouse at its hub in Boston next year.
The second floor of JetBlue’s first airport lounge.
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
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.
The lounge’s cocktail partner is the bar Please Don’t Tell and, just like that East Village speakeasy, not everyone is getting in.
Here’s who is:
- Customers booked in JetBlue’s trans-Atlantic Mint business-class cabin. They can bring one complimentary guest and each additional visitor is $39.
- 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.
- Mosaic 4 elite frequent flyer status holders, at the top tier of JetBlue’s loyalty program.
The airline plans to sell passes for lower status-tier members, customers traveling cross-country in the Mint cabin, and other credit card holders and lounge members starting in February, but the airline didn’t disclose pricing.
JetBlue said customers traveling with basic economy tickets are ineligible for complimentary access or one-time passes.
JetBlue said its first lounge was inspired by a classic New York City apartment.
Courtesy: JetBlue Airways
BlueHouse has capacity for 140 people, making it smaller than the spaces that some of its larger rivals offer, though it has a smaller network.
New York-based JetBlue has spent months pruning unprofitable routes and redeploying its aircraft to better position itself for high-end leisure travel and a return to profitability.
The airline recently partnered with United Airlines, which does not fly out of JFK but operates a massive hub in Newark, New Jersey.
Heineken has announced a substantial investment exceeding £44 million into hundreds of its pubs across the UK, a move expected to create approximately 850 jobs.
The Dutch brewing giant’s Star Pubs operation, which manages 2,350 sites nationwide, is undertaking this significant financial commitment despite a challenging period for the pub sector.
The industry has faced considerable pressure over the past year, grappling with escalating labour costs and increases in national insurance contributions.
Concurrently, consumer spending has been constrained by concerns over inflation and rising unemployment, further impacting pub revenues. However, pubs did receive additional business rates support from the government last month, aimed at alleviating some of these financial burdens.
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, indicated that the investment strategy is partly designed to bolster revenues and help the group navigate the recent “sustained increases in running costs”.
This year, £44.5 million will be allocated to upgrades for 647 pubs. A notable 108 of these venues are earmarked for particularly significant cash injections, with each transformation costing at least £145,000.
Heineken clarified that while the majority of its pubs are group-owned, they are independently operated by local licensees. A key focus for this investment, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 football World Cup, will be on sports-focused venues.
The pub firm and brewer has a history of significant investment in British pubs, having pumped £328 million into the sector since 2018. Work has already commenced at 52 locations, including eight projects dedicated to reopening boarded-up pubs that have endured lengthy closures.
Mr Mountstevens also urged the government to reduce the tax burden on pubs, arguing it would ease cost pressures and foster further job creation within the industry.
He stated: “We can only do so much; the root-and-branch reform of business rates that the industry has been calling for over many years is urgently required, as well as a lowering of the burden of taxation on pubs, including VAT and beer duty.”
He concluded with a direct appeal: “We are calling on the Government to support us in bringing out the best in the Great British pub.”
GameStop’s boss Ryan Cohen says he sees potential to make eBay a much bigger rival to Amazon.
Source link
It comes as the US said on Monday it will begin to help “guide” vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.
Source link
It took 40 years for technology to catch up to this zipper design
Britney Spears case ends with guilty plea in reckless driving matter
India’s Modi celebrates ‘record’ win in opposition-held West Bengal
-
Tech1 week agoA Brain Implant for Depression Is About to Be Tested in Humans
-
Tech1 week agoAlmost 90% of women leave tech industry within 10 years | Computer Weekly
-
Business7 days ago‘I had £20,000 stolen and had to fight a 13-month fraud reporting rule to get it back’
-
Business1 week agoPakistan’s oil market is fuelling the crisis | The Express Tribune
-
Sports6 days agoPro wrestling star Steph De Lander reveals how colleague’s advice helped lead her to title triumph at ACW
-
Tech6 days agoThis Ambitious Laptop Doesn’t Leave Much Room for Your Hands
-
Entertainment7 days agoNorway joins Type 26 Frigate Programme to boost NATO naval power
-
Entertainment1 week agoMelania Trump says ABC should ‘take a stand’ on late-night host Kimmel