MINTroduction: Flying To London Via Puerto Rico

MINTroduction: Flying To London Via Puerto Rico

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Welcome to my next trip report, which I’m very excited about, as I had the chance to fly JetBlue’s new Mint product to London! I was going to title the series “Despacito, flying to London via Puerto Rico,” but Ford said it wasn’t funny, so we’ll just go with what I have…

My amazing JetBlue Mint fare to London

In April 2019, JetBlue formally announced that it would launch transatlantic flights in 2021, which is something that many of us were super excited about. JetBlue revolutionized domestic business class on transcontinental routes with its Mint product, and I knew the airline would do the same on transatlantic flights.

In February 2021 JetBlue revealed its new Mint Suite and Mint Studio products, in April 2021 the airline revealed its transatlantic economy experience, and in May 2021 JetBlue put transatlantic flights on sale. It’s fantastic to see that the airline has moved forward with these flights in spite of the pandemic. The moment that flights went on sale I knew I wanted to book a ticket.

JetBlue’s 26-seat Mint cabin

The airline was charging $1,920 roundtrip in business class between New York and London, which ultimately seemed fair, and in line with what I’d expect. However, when tickets went on sale I noticed that flights were much, much cheaper when originating elsewhere. So I ended up booking a ticket originating in San Juan, and that dropped the roundtrip business class price from $1,920 to $880. Talk about a deal!

For anyone wondering how the fare could drop so much, it appears that initially JetBlue wasn’t charging fuel surcharges (which total $1,300 roundtrip in Mint) for connecting itineraries. There wasn’t any trick required, that’s just how it priced out. Suffice to say that was updated pretty quickly.

On top of that, I paid an extra $129 to upgrade from JetBlue Mint Suite to JetBlue Mint Studio in one direction, which is JetBlue’s first row seat featuring much more space.

JetBlue Mint Studio

So yeah, $1,000 roundtrip with one direction in Mint Studio and one direction in Mint Suite is quite a deal, if you ask me. Of course I had to book positioning flights to & from Puerto Rico, but that was cheap enough, and for that matter would also allow me to review JetBlue’s economy experience.

Leading up to my departure I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to take this trip, given the UK’s travel restrictions. Fortunately as of early August the United Kingdom finally opened to vaccinated Americans, in conjunction with testing both before and after travel.

JetBlue’s mean, lean, transatlantic machine

Hotel reviews in London & Puerto Rico

While my trip was quick, I’ll also be reviewing two hotels:

Stay tuned, as both of my stays surprised me in some ways.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Bottom line

I’m just wrapping up an awesome quick trip to both London and Puerto Rico, thanks to JetBlue’s new Mint product. I got an incredible deal on tickets when originating in San Juan. The JetBlue Mint experience was simply next level, and I can’t wait to share a full review.

Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!

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  1. Bilal Jameel Guest

    I really like your article...
    this helps a lot..

  2. Pier Guest

    I'd have love that title...

  3. Emily Guest

    The Taj 51 Buckingham Gate is my favorite home-away-from-home in London. I prefer it over The Claridges. Give it a try when you are next in the city.

  4. KK13 Guest

    Damn! I feel jealous, already!
    Whatever you do, please don't forget to take pictures! Waiting to read a great review.

  5. Nice_Guy3012 Guest

    I would've laughed at the Despacito title, but I definitely would've skipped over this article because of it

  6. Kami Guest

    I just looked: San Juan to London was $2,600 on October 16th, in Mint.

  7. Andy Guest

    I guess Ford understands the lyrics of Despacito and therefore jealous ... so I can understand his point of view ...

  8. Alan Guest

    Sounds good - wish travel to the UK to USA was allowed :(

  9. Schar Diamond

    cant wait for the trip reports!!! feels like the good old days haha.

    btw, you should review The Salon at PS LAX sometime soon!!! :)

  10. Stephen Morrissey Guest

    Excellente.
    Cannot wait to read the reviews!

  11. Gerry Guest

    Lucky, when is JetBlue flying this route? I'm finding only thru JFK ... but direct is actually of interest. Thanks!

    1. Chri Guest

      He connected through JFK, there is no flight from SJU to LHR (I doubt that will ever happen)

  12. BoCo Guest

    It's hella clever. Change the title. Ford is a sweetheart but he's way off.

  13. Chris Guest

    Ben, I"m looking forward to your reviews. Would you also please include your experience with testing in both directions? I've been tracking various datapoints on travel to/from UK with regard to testing since we're going this fall. Thanks as always for your informative articles.

  14. Izz Guest

    Change the title to Despocito please haha!

  15. Motion to Dismiss Guest

    I heartily disagree with Ford. Despacito would have been funny!

    I’m excited to hear your thoughts on Claridges! Did you also consider The Connaught? I find the latter to be the best in London; Claridges is overrun with non-hotel guests and I find that the Connaught has better F&B, including the exceptional bar and Helene Darroze’s 3-star restaurant.

  16. DCAFrank Guest

    Like many of your readers who are keeping it mostly domestic this year, can't wait to get your review of Dorado. Cash rates are high, but easy enough to get to PR and back. St. Regis Bahia is a gem as well on the island.

  17. Sam Guest

    Love the Despacito title! Let your freak flag fly, Ben!

  18. JB Guest

    Is the Emirates 777 Business Class review from Athens to Newark coming after this series?

  19. Russ Member

    Despacito!

    That would have been awesome, own it!!

  20. Bill Guest

    OMG please change it to the Despacito title, that is hysterical!!!

  21. R B Guest

    Great deal, looking forward to reading your trip report

  22. Morgan Diamond

    Ford is wrong I would have loved the Despacito title this one is just boring.

    1. Steve Diamond

      Everytime i hear that song im going to think he is saying "flying to london via puerrrrrto rico" haha

  23. D3kingg Guest

    Good hustle. That’s a great deal. I’ve seen some price disparity with American if I’m willing to originate in Austin instead of Houston.

  24. Jamie Guest

    Wow what a deal Ben. Hopefully we will se some amazing deals as the borders begin to open up again. Can’t wait for the reviews

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Morgan Diamond

Ford is wrong I would have loved the Despacito title this one is just boring.

4
Steve Diamond

Everytime i hear that song im going to think he is saying "flying to london via puerrrrrto rico" haha

1
Schar Diamond

cant wait for the trip reports!!! feels like the good old days haha. btw, you should review The Salon at PS LAX sometime soon!!! :)

1
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