JetBlue’s new first-class cabin will reach Costa Rica within weeks of its debut, with BlueFirst seats scheduled on flights to Liberia starting Dec. 26 and to San José starting Jan. 5, 2027. The airline opened BlueFirst bookings on Oct. 15 on select flights across more than 30 routes. The first revenue flight leaves Boston Logan International Airport for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Dec. 8. JetBlue noted that Fort Lauderdale was its first-ever destination and now becomes the first destination for BlueFirst.
Three Costa Rica routes are on the initial schedule. According to JetBlue’s published BlueFirst route list, service between Fort Lauderdale and Guanacaste’s international airport in Liberia begins Dec. 26. Flights from Fort Lauderdale to Juan Santamaría International Airport and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Liberia both follow on Jan. 5.
JetBlue cautions that those dates reflect the earliest scheduled flights using BlueFirst-equipped aircraft. The cabin may be offered only on select flights or dates, sometimes intermittently, and aircraft assignments can change. Check that BlueFirst appears on the specific flight before you book.
BlueFirst is a dedicated two-by-two cabin at the front of the plane. The seats use Tuft & Needle foam and offer 13 centimeters (5 inches) of recline and up to 18 centimeters (7 inches) more legroom than JetBlue’s standard economy seats. Each seat has a 34-centimeter (13.3-inch) screen with Bluetooth headphone pairing, free Wi-Fi and in-seat power.
On flights of 1,447 kilometers (899 miles) or longer, passengers receive a complimentary meal called FirstFare, with a main dish, side and dessert. All three Costa Rica routes are longer than that. Premium snacks, wine, cocktails and specialty coffee and tea are offered on every BlueFirst flight and can be ordered from the seatback screen.
The cabin also comes with Group 1 boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, priority check-in and expedited security access at more than 30 participating airports. There are three fare levels. BlueFirst Base is the cheapest, with one free checked bag, free seat selection only within 24 hours of departure, and fees for changes and cancellations.
The standard BlueFirst fare adds a second checked bag, advance seat selection and no change or cancellation fees. BlueFirst Flex adds refunds to the original form of payment plus free same-day flight changes and standby. JetBlue started sales with introductory one-way fares from $249, including $299 from New York to Liberia for travel between Jan. 5 and Feb. 10. Unfortunately the promtion was short lived and ended Oct. 16.
BlueFirst does not replace Mint, JetBlue’s business class on longer flights. The airline plans to install the new cabin on aircraft that do not carry Mint, which will extend a first-class option across more of its network, including Latin America and the Caribbean. “We designed BlueFirst to deliver a more accessible first-class experience that combines the thoughtful hospitality and service customers expect from JetBlue with exceptional value and comfort,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s chief executive officer. She added that the cabin will appear on more routes as JetBlue brings it to more aircraft.
Members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue Mosaic frequent flyer tiers will be able to redeem new Premium Upgrade Certificates for BlueFirst or Mint, and Mosaic members on eligible fares can receive free space-available upgrades before departure. JetBlue said it will share details on those upgrades ahead of launch.
The rollout is anchored in Fort Lauderdale, where JetBlue has expanded since Spirit Airlines shut down in May. That same month, JetBlue announced it would end its Orlando flights to Costa Rica. The new cabin gives travelers on JetBlue’s Costa Rica routes a first-class option, and it arrives during the busy holiday and high-season travel period. It also comes as US arrivals to Costa Rica fell for a second straight month in September.
