JetBlue’s Most Restrictive Blue Basic Tickets Now Allow Carry-On Bags

Starting today, passengers who book JetBlue’s most restrictive ticket, Blue Basic, can bring 1 carry-on bag with them on flights. There use to be a cost with this, so the removal of the fee should make travelers happy.

Let’s delve into the details of this development that’s sure to be welcome news for JetBlue flyers.

JetBlue Allows Carry-On Bags for Basic Economy Passengers

U.S. airlines developed the so-called “Basic Economy” fare to compete with Spirit Airlines and other ultra-low-cost carriers. These fares are highly restrictive, and, depending on the airline, you might not have any baggage privileges, except 1 personal item that needs to fit below your seat.

Booking basic economy tickets can be pretty constraining if you don’t have elite status or an airline co-branded card that offers extra perks like carry-on bag allowance and priority boarding.

Back on June 18, 2024, JetBlue made an exciting announcement about a change in its fare policy, specifically regarding its most restrictive fare type, Blue Basic. Beginning September 6, 2024, passengers who purchase Blue Basic economy tickets will now be able to bring a carry-on bag with them (space permitting), along with a personal item.

Previously, JetBlue customers were required to purchase a more expensive ticket or pay an additional fee in order to have the option of storing a carry-on in the overhead bin.

Passengers flying on a Blue Basic ticket will still be the last to board, so finding overhead bin space on a full flight could be a bit challenging — and that carry-on privilege is “space permitting,” according to the airline. Nevertheless, the airline has made a customer-friendly modification to its most restrictive type of ticket.

JetBlue also increased its baggage fees back in April, including introducing peak and off-peak pricing. Passengers on the airline’s most restrictive fare can only avoid paying for baggage with The JetBlue Plus Card or The JetBlue Business Card, which allows them to check a bag for free, regardless of the fare type purchased, when they use the card to pay.

However, for those who don’t want to check luggage and prefer to travel with just a carry-on, JetBlue’s new carry-on policy with Blue Basic fares allows passengers to store their carry-on bag in the overhead bin, eliminating the need to pay for a baggage allowance.

Final Thoughts

JetBlue’s Blue Basic fares now include 1 complimentary carry-on bag, adding to their appeal for bare-bones travelers who want the most perks possible on cheap fares. Going forward, JetBlue customers can enjoy even greater savings on the airline’s most affordable tickets.