JetBlue Restricts Business Class Privacy Doors on Certain FlightsJetBlue Restricts Business Class Privacy Doors on Certain Flights JetBlue is set to implement a new policy that will prohibit business class passengers from closing their privacy doors on certain flights due to strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The move comes after an FAA ruling in March that mandated an additional flight attendant on aircraft with sliding doors for safety reasons. Privacy Doors Gain Popularity Privacy doors have become increasingly common in business class cabins on major airlines, providing passengers with enhanced peace and quiet. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Emirates, and Air France have all incorporated these features into their premium offerings. FAA Ruling and Crew Requirements The FAA ruling implemented in March requires aircraft with sliding doors to have an additional flight attendant above the mandatory minimum requirement. During takeoff, landing, and taxiing, the doors must be locked in the open position, necessitating the presence of a flight attendant to monitor their status. JetBlue’s Response JetBlue has been operating its Airbus A321neos and A321LRs with an additional flight attendant since March due to the FAA ruling. However, the airline is now reverting to a crew of four for these aircraft starting in mid-August. Impact on Business Class Passengers As a result of the FAA regulation and JetBlue’s subsequent policy change, business class passengers on A321 flights will not be able to use their privacy doors. This decision has sparked disappointment among premium travelers who value the additional privacy that these doors provide. Conclusion JetBlue’s decision to restrict privacy door usage on certain flights reflects the airline’s efforts to comply with FAA regulations and optimize operating efficiency. While business class passengers may be disappointed, the safety concerns that prompted the policy change remain paramount.
JetBlue will soon prevent business class passengers from closing their privacy doors on certain planes due to strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules on cabin crew numbers, sources said.
Privacy doors on business class seats have become an increasingly common feature on major airlines. Many premium travelers now expect the extra peace and quiet that these sliding doors provide.
Qatar Airways – recently named the world’s best airline for the eighth time at the annual Skytrax Awards – was the first major airline to introduce privacy doors in its business class cabins, adding the feature to its award-winning QSuites in 2017. This was quickly followed by Delta Air Lines installing similar doors for premium passengers in its Delta One suites in 2018.
Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Dube
Many of the world’s leading airlines now offer this added privacy – once reserved for first class passengers – to business class passengers, including British Airways, Emirates and Air France.
JetBlue joined the party in 2021 by launching its revamped Mint product, which has become one of the most prized business-class offerings. But now, following an obscure FAA ruling, the New York-based airline appears poised to ditch the sliding privacy doors on Mint cabins on upcoming transatlantic flights, or at the very least prevent passengers from using them.
Due to an FAA ruling implemented in March, any aircraft with sliding doors must have an additional flight attendant above the mandatory minimum requirement, reportedly for safety reasons. During taxi, takeoff and landing, the sliding doors must be securely locked in the open position, requiring a flight attendant to flip a central switch and then manually monitor the position of each door.
Photo: Mint Classic. Courtesy of JetBlue
Typically, airlines must employ one flight attendant for every 50 passengers, so a plane carrying 200 passengers would need at least four flight attendants. However, due to the FAA ruling, planes with sliding doors will require five.
Since March, JetBlue has had to add an additional flight attendant to the crew on its Airbus A321neos and A321LRs for every flight. Before March, its fleet of eight A321neos, which has 160 seats, including 16 Mint business class seats, required just four flight attendants. However, since March, five flight attendants have been needed. These aircraft are used for transatlantic and transcontinental flights.
Photo: Mint Classic. Courtesy of JetBlue
The A321LR aircraft has 138 seats, including 24 business class suites. The number of flight attendants has therefore gone from 3 to 4.
But now, in an effort to cut costs and comply with FAA regulations, JetBlue will return to just four flight attendants for each of its A321 aircraft starting in mid-August. For Mint passengers, this means that while their privacy door is still there, they can’t use it.
