JetBlue is competing in the business class market by introducing privacy doors to its lie-flat seats with direct aisle access, following the lead of major international airlines such as Qatar Airways, Delta, British Airways, Air France, and KLM. However, U.S. airlines have faced challenges in implementing doors on their business class seats due to FAA regulations that prohibit doors inside aircraft cabins for safety reasons.
To comply with FAA requirements for its A321neo and A321LR aircraft with business class suites, JetBlue initially added an extra crew member. However, in an effort to save money and streamline operations, the airline has decided to disable the doors on the suites of its A321neos. This move will allow JetBlue to reduce its cabin crew back to four members on all Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.
The change is expected to be implemented by mid-August and is seen as a strategic decision by JetBlue management that reflects the airline’s focus on efficiency and cost-cutting measures.