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How JetBlue is Continuing its Commitment to ‘Safety from the Ground Up’ Initiative

The Airbus A321neo cockpit is nearly identical to its predecessor offering interchangeability across JetBlue’s Airbus A320 family fleet. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Tom Pallini)

As airlines around the world continue to ensure passengers feel safe aboard their aircraft amid this global pandemic, JetBlue has extended its commitment to distancing passengers, by blocking the middle seat in rows where passengers are not traveling together as one party, through the July 4 holiday. 

The airline’s policy is a small, integral part of the multi-layered “Safety from the Ground Up” initiative that focuses on four key components within the airline: healthy crewmembers, clean air and surfaces, more space and travel flexibility. Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer for the airline recognizes the impact on the number of travelers as communities want to reopen, and the eagerness for passengers to plan future travel for the summer. 

“As communities start to reopen and with summer travel kicking off this weekend, more people are beginning to fly and we want them to feel safe on JetBlue,” Geraghty said in a press statement. “Our program layers together with a series of protections throughout the entire travel journey, which work together to help keep everyone safe and well.”

JetBlue takes pride in adhering to its “more space” focus area, as the seat distancing policy allows passengers the flexibility to not be seated next to someone they do not know. The middle seats on its Airbus aircraft will be blocked, while the aisle seats will be blocked on its smaller Embraer 190 aircraft. In addition, the airline will designate middle and aisle seats to ensure that those passengers who are traveling together sit next to each other. 

The New York-based carrier is notable for having the largest amount of legroom or pitch in at 32-34 inches in Economy class, among all of the U.S. carriers. As a result, their seat distancing policy paired with generous and ample legroom is crucial in helping passengers spread out onboard while feeling safe and comfortable, especially during this global pandemic. 

Seat distancing onboard is especially helpful for those passengers who are considering future travel plans in the summer as summer vacation commences. JetBlue will be able to attract customers who are extremely needed to make up for the lower passenger loads prior to this helpful policy that aims at focusing on the customer and their needs to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. 

“We’re known for generous legroom and space, and now more than ever, those choosing to travel want as much space as possible,” Geraghty said. “We are pleased to extend our efforts to keep seats free and help everyone onboard spread out.”

As the airline and aviation industry is slowly rebounding and more passengers are steadily beginning to return to air travel, many airlines like JetBlue have dedicated large amounts of time and effort to ensure passenger safety is a top priority. This in part will hopefully allow them to rebound from the effects of the global pandemic and acquire the level of passenger load and demand as prior to COVID-19. This can explain why JetBlue was the first U.S. airline to require passengers to wear a face mask, as even with blocked seats, it is a still challenge to main six feet between everyone onboard the aircraft in closed quarters.

Benjamin Pham

Author

  • Benjamin Pham

    Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.

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