The Guide to JetBlue Seat Selection

You booked your flight and are ready to travel, but where will you sit on the plane? Your ability to choose your seats with JetBlue depends on which fare you purchased and your elite status.

In this guide to JetBlue Airways seat selection, you'll learn what you need to know to pick the best seats for your next flight, including any fees that apply and what the seating charts look like.

JetBlue operates a variety of seat types on its aircraft, including economy, Even More Space and Mint seats.

So, how much is seat selection on JetBlue? The answer depends on which fare class you buy and the flight selected.

Blue Basic passengers pay a fee to select seats more than 24 hours in advance, while everyone else can pick seats at no extra charge. Upgrades to Even More Space vary based on the flight and which seat you choose.

NerdWallet conducted an analysis of fees among U.S. domestic airlines. On average, JetBlue has one of the lowest seat selection fees at just $4 per passenger.

Your fees will vary based on your flight, fare class and seat selected. All fares, except Blue Basic, can choose any economy seat without paying extra.

JetBlue offers five fare classes to meet passengers' needs and budgets. Each fare class has different benefits and restrictions that passengers need to be aware of before buying their ticket.

Basic economy

Blue Basic fares are the basic economy tickets offered by JetBlue. These tickets have numerous restrictions that allow JetBlue to offer lower fares. Blue Basic tickets do not allow carry-on bags, and there is a fee for checking a bag.

Passengers cannot select their seat more than 24 hours in advance unless they're willing to pay a JetBlue seat selection fee. There is a fee of $100 to $200 for changes or cancellations. Additionally, these fares only earn 1x Base TrueBlue points versus 3x points for other fares.

Core

Core tickets are the standard economy seats on JetBlue flights. Passengers buying Blue, Blue Plus or Blue Extra fares choose these seats when booking their flight, at check-in or any time before departure.

Benefits of each fare class vary, but all three include a carry-on bag and charge no fees for changes or cancellations. They also earn 3x points for the flight. Blue Extra tickets offer the most benefits, including no fees for same-day switches or standby, early boarding and priority security access at available airports.

Even More Space

Even More Space seats provide up to 7 inches of extra legroom, early boarding and other benefits. Although Blue Basic fares do not include advance seat selection, these passengers can upgrade to Even More Space — for a fee — and select an available seat.

Mint

Mint fares are the premium cabin seats on JetBlue flights. These seats feature fully lie-flat seats, with adjustable firmness and a massage feature. There are three types of Mint class seats:

• Mint.

• Mint Suites.

• Mint Studios. 

Mint passengers enjoy high-end dining, an artisan wine list, Wanderful wellness kits, Tuft & Needle sleep kits and more.

Elite members of JetBlue's TrueBlue loyalty program are called Mosaic members. There are four levels of Mosaic elite status based on how many "tiles" a traveler has earned.

Mosaic members can upgrade their tickets to Even More Space seats at no extra charge if seats are available. Level 1 members can upgrade during check-in, while Level 2 and higher members get Even More Space seats during booking.

When you reach Mosaic 3, you get four certificates to upgrade your ticket to Mint seating, based on availability. At Mosaic 4, you receive an additional two certificates.

JetBlue partners with American Airlines to offer reciprocal benefits for elite members. AAdvantage Gold members and above receive complimentary Even More Space seats at check-in if they're available.

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The airline uses nine different types of planes, and each plane has a different layout. Your JetBlue seat selection varies based on which plane is flying your route. Before booking your flight, you can see which plane is flying and the seating configuration.

Pick your dates of travel, number of passengers, departure and arrival cities at jetblue.com. On the search results page, you'll find a variety of flights to choose from.

Click on “Seats" to see which plane is flying and what JetBlue seat selection options are available.

You can also view the JetBlue seat map during the booking process. After selecting your flight, you're prompted to select your flight before checking out.

During the checkout process, you're given the option of selecting your JetBlue seats. If you don't select a seat when buying your ticket, you can choose later online, through the JetBlue mobile app or at check-in.

Blue Basic fares must pay a fee for selecting a seat more than 24 hours in advance of departure time. The price varies per flight and location of the seat you've chosen.

"Core" seats are available at no charge, and they are available for all passengers.

Passengers flying Mint class fares receive exclusive access to premium seats at the front of the plane. They can select their seat during checkout or at any time before their flight.

JetBlue seat selection rules vary based on which fare class you buy. All passengers, except Blue Basic, can choose their seats at any time from booking to check-in without paying a fee.

Blue Basic passengers can select their seats for free within 24 hours of departure, or they can pay a small fee to choose ahead of time. JetBlue flights offer three seat types — economy, Even More Space and Mint premium seats.

The airline offers one of the best seat selection rules, with all economy seats available to every passenger. For passengers willing to splurge, they can upgrade to Even More Space or Mint seats for an extra fee.

(Top photo courtesy of JetBlue Airways)