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JFK TO PITTSBURGH
I haven't flown on jetBlue in a while. The major reason is because they fly out of Long Beach and LAX is right near my house. But other reasons include the fact that they don't offer their best customers perks like skipping the security line or upgrades. However, you have to love jetBlue for everything they have done and stand for. They have made airfares low in the markets they serve and they introduced live satellite TV, which other carriers like Delta and Virgin America are now offering. Several weeks ago, I needed to get from New York to Pittsburgh. It was a no-brainer for me to fly jetBlue; not only were their fares the cheapest but I knew they would make the 57-minute flight the most pleasurable. When a flight is under an hour it's just not worth it for me to break out my laptop and try to work. So instead of perusing travel magazines as I usually do, I flipped through jetBlue's 36 channels of free direct TV (click here for the channel lineup) and got caught up on programs I rarely watch. As if that's not enough, jetBlue also offers over 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio! I didn't have nearly enough time to check that out but how cool!
JETBLUE'S NEW TERMINAL
JetBlue is getting ready to move from their home in the depressing Terminal 6, next door to the renovated, $743-million, former TWA terminal, designed by architect Eero Saarinen back in 1962. It's considered an icon of 20th century aviation and I can't wait to see what they have done with it. It's been closed since 2001 when TWA ceased operations and it's scheduled to reopen on October 1. It will feature a 20-lane security checkpoint, which will be the largest screening area of any terminal in North America! Thank God because until then, jetBlue is stuck at United's old depressing terminal, which is in desperate need of a renovation itself. There I waited a solid 20 minutes to get through the security line. Once on the other side, the terminal was a zoo but there were a good number of options of places to grab food -- even vegetarian food and healthy snacks were available. The terminal also offers free wireless high speed Internet access but it was really slow, maybe because so many people were using it. In addition, they had some ratty looking power outlets so passengers could keep their batteries fully charged but I bet the new terminal will offer a lot more and be better looking all around.
JETBLUE JetBlue flies just two different types of aircrafts: the A320 (150 seats) and the ERJ-190. They are both new planes and I hadn't flown on their ERJ yet. One reason for this is that whenever I hear ERJ, I expect a small plane and I'm no fan of small planes. Well, this one isn't small; it actually seats 100 passengers and is surprisingly comfortable, although that's possibly because I had a seat open next to me and the configuration is 2x2. But I don't think so. Overall, the seats are wider on this plane than on the A320. On the flight, I learned that jetBlue has begun a new environmentally friendly initiative called "Jetting to Green". They are no longer handing out those cheap plastic disposable headsets to each passenger for free. Instead, customers can buy an upgraded pair (that actually work) for $1, but they encourage passengers to bring their own. Also, they are getting rid of the in-flight magazines (did they ever even have one?) supposedly to reduce paper but I'm sure it also has to do with reducing weight, which in turn means saving money on jet fuel. There are a number of other initiatives but to check them out you'll need to log on to this page on jetBlue's website.
IN FLIGHT
One way that jetBlue has begun to increase its revenues is by charging more for seats with extra legroom. It's a logical idea and I think many passengers would pay $20 for the extra legroom and space. I know I would so that I could work comfortably on my laptop. The one thing that jetBlue could improve upon is their in-flight maps. They are surprisingly lame considering that Google powers them. Why Google and jetBlue would offer something so basic is beyond me. It's surprising because in the jetBlue gate area, they have one of the coolest maps around, which shows a live picture of the Doppler radar with the current weather conditions and the flight paths of incoming and outgoing planes.
Before I call it a day, my last observation is about the snacks. If you're flying across the country, be sure to bring your own food because they don't anything substantial on board -- not even to buy. What they do have is a free choice between a mini bag of Doritos, a munchie mix and chocolate chip cookies. The cookies' package boasts that they're 70% organic (that's a first) and are damn good! But don't think that they'll suffice to keep the hunger pangs at bay. There are just three bite-sized cookies inside.
VIDEO
Sorry! No video this week but we do have all the Johnny Jet videos ever made on YouTube.
NEXT WEEK Next week, we're visiting Pittsburgh! You will see why this city doesn't deserve the bad rap it gets.
*If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!
SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
You got to fly on the A380! That 747 in the picture looked like a guppy next to it. Angel N - Chicago
This guy travelling around the world all in 5 star.. I’m so jealous...I want to be like him! Bonzaimy - Malaysia
Well, duh, Johnny! No wonder Buzz looked at you indulgently -- you just made him feel very old! Nina D – Boston, MA
It was a pleasure meeting you onboard the Emirates A380. My honest opinion, I still prefer the not so enclosed Business Class seats - I felt claustrophobic in the A380 especially in the Business Class. In terms of service and space ration, Singapore is still my preferred carrier. I used to fly them a lot on Malaysia Airlines until my luggage was broken into twice while transiting in KL International. Filing a report with them is a complete waste of time since you will never get a response. I am a Malaysian by birth and even my nephew, who lives in Malaysia and does a lot of flying is telling me the same thing. I do everything to avoid transiting through KL. EVA is a great airline as well and they fly to all Far East destinations via Taipei. I have flown them on several occasions to Singapore and Hong Kong. I might take them to Macao on my next trip.
Dear Johnny: While reviewing some of my personal stuff I came across apart of an article from Johnny Jet issue of 9/26/2007 in which you said "Have you ever been curious about how new or old the plane you're flying on, is? Well, this website allows you to enter in the plane tail number and out pops all kinds of crazy information, like serial number, registration, manufacturer, certificate issue date, model, status, type of aircraft, type of engine registered owner, address and, most important, the YEAR it was manufactured. The whole process takes about five seconds. If you want to give this a whirl, the number you're looking for is located on the back of the plane just below the tail; it's very easy to spot and begins with the letter 'N'
I think this is worth repeating since many of your readers may have missed it when this tip first appeared. Dad
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