JetBlue Ditches Privacy Doors, Sets Sights on Minimalist Business Class Experience

JetBlue has decided to disable the privacy doors on their business class suites of A321neo aircraft, opting for just 4 flight attendants on board. This move aligns staffing levels across all Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft in the JetBlue fleet. The implementation of this change is expected to take place by mid-August.

This decision by JetBlue could be a result of potential changes in leadership if corporate raider Carl Icahn takes control of the airline. According to aviation analyst Seth Miller, this move poses a risk to the premium experience offered by JetBlue’s business class cabins.

Qatar Airways was the first to introduce privacy doors in business class seats, followed by Delta, British Airways, Air France, KLM, and other airlines. However, US carriers need approval from the government to install doors on these seats due to safety regulations prohibiting doors inside aircraft cabins. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that the extra workload of ensuring these doors are properly positioned during taxi, takeoff, and landing requires airlines to increase the number of cabin crew members beyond the minimum requirement of 1 flight attendant per 50 seats.