In Italy we take the bus, in the US we take the plane: review of Jetblue flight from Chicago to New York

Very often readers write to me asking why I don't review American companies, which is not true since on these pages you can read reviews of Delta, American e Southwest as well as Jetblue.

Specifications

Aircraft:

E190

Class:

Economy

Treat:

ORD - JFK

Price:

230$

Book

Today I found myself, right aboard the latter, on a domestic flight between Chicago (ORD) e New York (JFK), but no fancy and modern cabin, but an old E190, one of many small planes that make up the fleet of the innovative company launched 20 years ago by aviation visionary David Neeleman

Ticket

Having to reposition myself between the two American metropolises, and having to do so on short notice, I decided to take advantage of Jetblue for two reasons. I had some credit to use and because of the partnership with Singapore's Krisflyer program this flight would allow me to accumulate a handful of miles in the Asian loyalty program in my attempt to retrain myself in 2025 as well.

#Spoileralert I eventually accumulated 0 KF miles, because the fare was not qualifying

The cost for a flight of just over 90 minutes was 230$. Not little, but as mentioned I was obliged in the date and stopovers, of course I could have found something cheaper by flying into La Guardia, but I would have had to shoulder a transfer between LGA and JFK as well, so I preferred the more convenient route.

At the airport

Those who travel in the U.S. are familiar with the quality of American airports, and there is nothing worse in the world, except perhaps Africa. In America all airports are dive bars, with few exceptions.

There is nothing in the public side, so if you arrive before check-in opens you often have to sit on the floor. Many airports, even huge ones, have no independent lounges, not to mention the pre-war checks and immigration lines.

Whereas. JetBlue has no lounge, even in its T5 at JFK , I timed it to spend as few minutes as possible sitting on an uncomfortable bench at the gate.

I was pleased to notice that the security controls are modernizing, it's about time, but the shoes make you take them off regardless, no matter if you end up in the new or old scanners.

At least in my case I ended up in the right row and avoided emptying my backpack, while on the opposite side was still 2005.

At the gate

As soon as I arrived at the gate, which I recall here are "owned" by the companies with their staff and handling, the attendant announced that the plane was full and that they were looking for volunteers to check baggage for free.

Having nothing to do but let 60 minutes pass at JFK, I decided to get up and take my trolley to the counter to board it. I don't want to be misunderstood, I didn't become magnanimous, it's just that knowing the plane and seeing the people around me I preferred to take off the hassle of dragging my beautiful Level8 aluminum looking for a hole in the small hatbox of E180.

With that said, I was hoping for a reward, as is sometimes the case with these companies, but nothing just a smile and a "thank you for volunteering"

Because it's like taking a bus

We Europeans are not used to taking a plane; here in the U.S. it is normal. We are used to showing up at the gate for our flight, here they are used to going to the gate whenever, Because maybe they take off earlier, maybe they take off later. It's a normal thing.

I have not (yet) flown with the ultra low-cost American ones like Frontier or Spirit, but with all the other companies from Alaska to Hawaiian to the better known ones, everything happens at the gate.

Just see Southwest's boarding procedure and imagine it in Italy for a Ryanair or easyjet flight.

Here it is normal to put yourself on a waiting list to catch an earlier flight, or on the upgrade list To sit in a better place. Stuff that in Europe simply doesn't exist or is rarely seen because ticket rates and loyalty program rules are so different.

On board

Ultra-fast boarding procedures at the gate, ultra-slow on board. Unbelievably, there were no passengers with status and so we went directly with the zones. Fortunately, I was zone A and therefore boarded first.

Just in time to place myself in my seat and enjoy the scenes of people going crazy to find room for their suitcase.

The configuration of these planes is 2-2, and the comment from people boarding was always the same: "but how small it is" ... "where do I put my suitcase"

The great thing is that, although old, this plane offers many more inches than in a modern one.

Not only that, but each seat has its own IFE screen, sure we are talking about the size of an iphone 11 and the resolution of an Iphone 3G, but it is still better than nothing.

In addition to this a nice little table, large and solid where I am writing this review.

Service

Jetblue has taken Southwest's approach and made it a wee bit more glamorous. Certainly we are not On the amazing A220 that flies the busiest routes nor aboard theA321lr flying from US east coast to London, Paris and Amsterdam, but the operating system is the one there.

You pay for your choice of seat; the front row or emergency exits were sold at 60$, while a regular seat cost from 19 to 9$, depending on the position on board.

On the other hand, however, there is free food (snacks) and free drinks (non-alcoholic drinks) on board. Forget mini cans, here are real cans And even the bags of chips are not mignon size.

If you then want to eat something more substantial you pay.

IFE

As mentioned there is the screen with different channels of live TV, I as usual put my favorite channel: the map.

Jetblue also offers free and unlimited wifi to all passengers, just log on and navvigate. Too bad, though, that it didn't work very well.

10elegation, however, to the assistant that when we asked about wi-fi with my neighbor, he replied thusly, "This is an old lady who should be retired long ago, her wi-fi works when she feels like it, sorry. Would you like a beer to forget?"

In conclusion

You have to go from A to B, you can do it with many companies and especially in the U.S., it is good to set up your search for nearby airports as well, because there are often great opportunities to get around with just a few dollars.

Is Jetblue better than Southwest? I don't know, on a short flight like this the important thing is to get there without stress. Without worrying about the cm of the trolley, the grams of the backpack and without standing 90min at the gate to be the first to board.

The verdict

Certainly it is the worst, and oldest, aircraft in JetBlue's fleet. Again, though, the difference with Italy is all there to be seen. Who offers free drinks in economy at this level? Who has a screen on a short-haul flight? Of course the outline is always a step below Europe, but at the end of the day here you just had to travel between Chicago and NY

6.5

Service

8

IFE

6

F&B

7

Cabin and Armchair

5.5

Pro

• Crew mood
• Free booze
• IFE

Against

• Old plane
• Wi-fi KO