I flew roundtrip from New York to Paris in JetBlue's business and economy class. First class was more luxurious, but I was surprised by how much I liked coach.

Jordan Parker ErbAug 20, 2023, 17:26 IST

Insider's reporter in JetBlue's business class and economy class.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

I flew to Paris in JetBlue's Mint business class and returned in an "even more space" economy seat.
JetBlue's "even more space" seats are at the front of the economy section and have more legroom.

Earlier this summer, I flew roundtrip from New York City to Paris on JetBlue. On the way there, I flew in Mint, the airline's business class section, and returned in an "even more space" seat, an economy option with more legroom.

After my first-ever international flight in business class, I worried that sitting in economy would be doubly as uncomfortable. But I found that while JetBlue's first class certainly has its perks, its coach class does, too. On each flight, I was stunned to find tasty food, reasonably comfy seats, and enough space to make it across the Atlantic without feeling too cramped.

All in all, the roughly six-hour international flight was surprisingly bearable in each class. From the food to the amenities, see how the two compare.

The perks of Mint began when I arrived at the airport, as business class passengers get expedited security.

JetBlue's Mint passengers get access to priority security.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The benefit was nice in theory, but the line to get through security at JFK was still long, and took about 30 minutes to get through — comparable to security as an economy passenger.

Priority security, at least in this case, wasn't much speedier.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The benefit was nice in theory, but the line to get through security at JFK was still long, and took about 30 minutes to get through — comparable to security as an economy passenger.

Mint passengers boarded first, a benefit I'd never experienced before.

Mint passengers are among the first to board.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Because "even more space" seats are an upgraded version of economy, passengers are also among the first to board.

Insider's reporter was among the first to board as an "even more space" ticket holder.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The seats are markedly different — business class offers a private "suite" and a lie-flat chair.

A Mint seat on JetBlue.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

"Even more space seats," on the other hand, are virtually the same as economy, but with — you guessed it — more space. JetBlue says the seats have up to seven more inches of legroom than regular coach seats.

Insider's reporter demonstrates the amount of legroom in an "even more space" seat.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

"Even more space seats," on the other hand, are virtually the same as economy, but with — you guessed it — more space. JetBlue says the seats have up to seven more inches of legroom than regular coach seats.

Straight away, the Mint experience was more luxurious. I was served a glass of champagne as I settled into my seat.

Insider's reporter with a glass of complimentary champagne.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The seat also came with a bundle of goodies, including headphones to use on the flight.

Mint passengers get a pair of Master & Dynamic headphones to use during the flight.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

We also were gifted a Bluetooth audio transmitter, a gadget you can use to watch TV without pesky cords.

The AirFly adapter lets you use your wireless headphones to listen to entertainment.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Mint passengers also got a bag of toiletries, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers, ear plugs, and a sleep mask.

The complimentary toiletries included a toothbrush and toothpaste.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Economy passengers also get a goodie bag: a reusable silicone pouch filled with toiletries.

The economy goodie bag on JetBlue's flight to Paris.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Albeit less extensive than Mint's, I was still amazed by the fact coach passengers received gift bags. Inside, there was a pair of socks, lotion, a face towelette, and a mint.

The bag came with a face towelette, lotion, and a mint.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Albeit less extensive than Mint's, I was still amazed by the fact coach passengers received gift bags. Inside, there was a pair of socks, lotion, a face towelette, and a mint.

The dining experience in business class was phenomenal, as guests get to build their meal from their seat-back screen.

Mint passengers can build their meals from several options.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

I was stoked to find this perk was offered in economy class. Guests could still customize their meals, even in coach.

The seat-back screen, where even economy guests can customize their meals.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The business class meal was next-level. For dinner, I got pea soup, pasta, farro salad, and vanilla gelato. It was easily the best airplane meal I've ever had.

Split-pea soup, tomato cavatelli, roasted farro, and ice cream topped with granola.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Though not as gourmet as first class, economy still had delicious food. For breakfast, I got pancakes with peaches, coconut yogurt with grapefruit, and a slice of carrot cake.

The breakfast in economy was good but not as fancy as the meals in business class.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Though not as gourmet as first class, economy still had delicious food. For breakfast, I got pancakes with peaches, coconut yogurt with grapefruit, and a slice of carrot cake.

Mint's lie-flat seats were undoubtedly the more comfortable option.

The lie-flat seat was made more cozy with a blanket and pillow from Tuft & Needle.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Sleeping in my economy seat still felt like sleeping in economy: not the best, but not terrible.

Insider's reporter bundled up in blankets to sleep in economy.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Business class came with a far larger TV screen.

A view of the rest of the suite while sitting down.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The economy seat's TV was representative of any other seat-back screen I've seen on planes.

The seat-screen in JetBlue's economy class.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

One thing I liked more about the economy seat was that I could see out the window.

Economy passengers can see out their windows; In Mint, the window is further behind the seat.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Whereas in business class, the window was partially behind my seat, so I couldn't see much.

The window is hard to look out of with its placement behind the seat.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Overall, both seats and their accompanying amenities made the transatlantic journey more bearable.

Insider's reporter joined JetBlue for its inaugural flight to Paris in June.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

While I'd of course love to travel business class all the time, JetBlue's economy option is a close second.

Insider's reporter in an "even more space" seat on JetBlue's transatlantic flight.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

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I flew roundtrip from New York to Paris in JetBlue's business and economy class. First class was more luxurious, but I was surprised by how much I liked coach.

The perks of Mint began when I arrived at the airport, as business class passengers get expedited security.

The benefit was nice in theory, but the line to get through security at JFK was still long, and took about 30 minutes to get through — comparable to security as an economy passenger.

Mint passengers boarded first, a benefit I'd never experienced before.

Because "even more space" seats are an upgraded version of economy, passengers are also among the first to board.

The seats are markedly different — business class offers a private "suite" and a lie-flat chair.

"Even more space seats," on the other hand, are virtually the same as economy, but with — you guessed it — more space. JetBlue says the seats have up to seven more inches of legroom than regular coach seats.

Straight away, the Mint experience was more luxurious. I was served a glass of champagne as I settled into my seat.

The seat also came with a bundle of goodies, including headphones to use on the flight.

We also were gifted a Bluetooth audio transmitter, a gadget you can use to watch TV without pesky cords.

Mint passengers also got a bag of toiletries, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers, ear plugs, and a sleep mask.

Economy passengers also get a goodie bag: a reusable silicone pouch filled with toiletries.

Albeit less extensive than Mint's, I was still amazed by the fact coach passengers received gift bags. Inside, there was a pair of socks, lotion, a face towelette, and a mint.

The dining experience in business class was phenomenal, as guests get to build their meal from their seat-back screen.

I was stoked to find this perk was offered in economy class. Guests could still customize their meals, even in coach.

The business class meal was next-level. For dinner, I got pea soup, pasta, farro salad, and vanilla gelato. It was easily the best airplane meal I've ever had.

Though not as gourmet as first class, economy still had delicious food. For breakfast, I got pancakes with peaches, coconut yogurt with grapefruit, and a slice of carrot cake.

Mint's lie-flat seats were undoubtedly the more comfortable option.

Sleeping in my economy seat still felt like sleeping in economy: not the best, but not terrible.

Business class came with a far larger TV screen.

The economy seat's TV was representative of any other seat-back screen I've seen on planes.

One thing I liked more about the economy seat was that I could see out the window.

Whereas in business class, the window was partially behind my seat, so I couldn't see much.

Overall, both seats and their accompanying amenities made the transatlantic journey more bearable.

While I'd of course love to travel business class all the time, JetBlue's economy option is a close second.