Jet Blue to Charge $7 for Blanket, Pillow — Now Guaranteed Bug and Mold Free. Makes you wonder; What was in the free stuff?

Published on August 4th, 2008

JetBlue Airways Corp. said Monday it will begin charging customers for pillows and blankets.

The carrier has done away with the recycled blankets and pillows used on its flights, and will begin offering an “eco-friendly” travel blanket and pillow that can be purchased for $7 on flights longer than two hours.

The carrier claims the pillow and blanket feature a fabric technology, developed by CleanBrands LLC, that blocks pesky critters like dust mites, mold spores, pollen and pet dander.

The carrier said last month it expects to collect about $40 million from customers buying seats with extra leg room this year. Its $15 fee for a second checked bag is expected to translate into about $20 million in additional revenue. A ticket change fee, which doubled to $100 in the second quarter, is part of a “basket of fee changes” expected to produce about $50 million in extra revenue in 2008.

“eco-friendly” -that’s code for not so pest-infested that when you’re done with it, the blanket will simply get up and walk away on it’s own.

19 users responded in " Jet Blue to Charge $7 for Blanket, Pillow — Now Guaranteed Bug and Mold Free. Makes you wonder; What was in the free stuff? "

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# 1 bill said, on August 4th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

I remember passing the hat for some gas so we cold get out of a South American city… Of course, that was a North American airline that was going to declare bankruptcy when we got back to the states!

I’d check to see if they have enough fuel to get back home when you fly!!!

True story!

# 2 busdriver320 said, on August 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

Well, it can’t be any worse for the same people who spray the bathroom down with #1, or the following people who go to said bathroom in socks or barefeet. Or is it any worse than the passengers who change their babies on the traytables and then stuff the dirty diapers in the seat back pockets.

Ill take my chances with the blankets.

Pay your 69$ and enjoy the safe ‘jetting experience’.

# 3 edwinrogers said, on August 4th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Take your own blanket. My tartan travel blanket cost $10 and can double as a shawl or a makeshift kilt.

# 4 QB said, on August 4th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

A hoopy frood really knows where his towel is.

# 5 syrinx said, on August 4th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

I wish these pole-smokers would just increase the ticket prices instead of this nickel and dime $hit.

# 6 Rick Cain said, on August 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Well you have to hand it to capitalism, its pretty much a whore.
I flew on US Airways and noticed old fashioned cost cutting and product placement sneaking in. Five dollars for headphones to see a movie that was cut off before the last 10 minutes because they landed early, $1.00 coffee, and advertisements for Zicam on the tray tables, as well as an ad for some other medicine on the cocktail napkin. Well at least refills were free.

I’m sure corporate salaries aren’t taking much of a hit, but the traveler doesn’t even get a free coca-cola for his overpriced ticket.

# 7 chuck said, on August 4th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

JetBlue has also announced a new $50 “don’t kick me in the balls” fee. Pay $50 and we won’t kick you in the balls. Unless we want to.

# 8 Brian said, on August 4th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

I’d rather they don’t increase ticket prices, and only charge those who use the extras, as it seems the most fair.

Why should I pay the same rate as someone who wants all those extras? This pay per use system is by far the most fair.

# 9 MaTa said, on August 4th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

RE: #8

Yeah, that sounds GREAT! Lets charge passengers by the # of what they weigh. Lets charge for air – depending on their respiratory rate. Need to use the bathroom? How ’bout a coin slot on the door to get in – with increased charges for a “#2″ or if you have the gall to require toilet paper!

The best though, would be banner ads all around the edge of the windows – hey, if you want to use the view, you gotta pay!

OH, and I saw someone mention before just making the whole plane like the subway where you stand and hold on to the handle thingy (or pay extra, if you want the LUXURY of a seat).

Nickel and Dimed / Gotcha! Capitalism – gotta LOVE it!

# 10 BubbaRay said, on August 5th, 2008 at 12:13 am

One airline is still ahead of all the rest – Southwest, the only airline to make a profit this year. They locked in their fuel prices with futures contracts. They now offer the $10 add-on. You get to board early, pick your chair, and it comes with 2 drinks or beers or sodas.

And if you live in DFW, you get to depart/land at the newly refurbished Love Field, where the security isn’t near as egregious as DFW Intl. and people still smile.

# 11 QB said, on August 5th, 2008 at 5:58 am

Well Alaska Airlines made money last quarter as well. Both airlines say their hedging strategy contributed heavily to their profits.

WestJet in Canada just announced a healthy quarterly profit. Three airlines that focus on customer service – I wonder if there’s a connection?

# 12 JimD said, on August 5th, 2008 at 6:07 am

Best Solution: STAY AWAY FROM AIRPORTS !!! Kill two birds with one strategy: Have nothing to do with “Homeland Insecurity” and the Airlines !!! Enjoy a local “Stay-Cation” and save money and avoid aggravation too !!!

# 13 Improbus said, on August 5th, 2008 at 6:25 am

The government and the air lines are really trying their best to make flying unappealing. Well, they are doing a good job. I won’t fly anywhere unless I am forced to.

# 14 pedro said, on August 5th, 2008 at 6:30 am

#12 That’s out of thw question for some of us, sadly.

# 15 Mr. Fusion said, on August 5th, 2008 at 7:17 am

#13, iMPROBUS,

And they will turn around and blame the consumer for abandoning the Airlines.

# 16 KwadGuy said, on August 5th, 2008 at 8:06 am

I just booked on Jet Blue last week, and realized that they are now charging ($30/segment) for the seats with adequate of legroom, which they designate as ~35% of the plane. I used to enjoy Jet Blue because they offered a lot of seats with adequate legroom at no charge. But I’m not going to pay $60 RT for the privilege.

I’ve gone from a lover to a hater. Nickel and diming me, instead of raising the fares to be honest, will do that.

Incidentally, as of last week US Air now charges for ALL drinks on the plane, including water and soda. If they get away with that, expect all the other airlines to follow suit. Back when you could bring your own drinks to the airport, I’d say just do that. But of course now you have to buy the drinks in the overpriced inner concourse or on the plane.

# 17 GregAllen said, on August 5th, 2008 at 9:44 am

Next time I fly with an airline that doesn’t provide food, I’m bringing on an XL pizza. drinks and a boxed cheesecake.

Sure, it’s messy, generates garbage, and will annoy the heck out of everybody.

That’s the point.

# 18 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz said, on August 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

They going to install coin op bathrooms next!

# 19 GregAllen said, on August 5th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

>>zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz said,
>> They going to install coin op bathrooms next!

I desperately needed to urinate and pulled over to a small restaurant that had one of those “bathroom for patrons only” signs.

So I pee’d against their shop.

That was one of the best pees ever

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