JetBlue’s New Boston to Edinburgh Flight

Even a nor’easter surprise that pounded New England with inches and inches of rain, knocked down power, and caused delayed flights did not dampen the celebration mood. JetBlue The evening of May 22, the first nonstop season flight was launched from Boston Logan Airport in Scotland. The air at gate C9 buzzed with excitement—plus the sound of bagpipes played by a live musician—as travelers snapped pictures of themselves by an illustration of Edinburgh’s stunning architecture. The room was brightened by garlands of Scottish flags, and columns of balloons. Nearby, a table was piled high with Scottish shortbread, sugar cookies with an airplane flying across the Edinburgh skyline and tea in Dunkin’ paper cup.

JetBlue’s Vice President of Safety, Mike Erbeck was among the few speakers who spoke at the ceremony. “Even if it looks like Scotland, are we prepared to go to Scotland?” He laughed, pointing out the rain outside the window of the gate.

JetBlue was able to celebrate a great deal, as the launch of its Boston to Madrid flight took place just a few gates away with a similar event. The once-scrappy airline launched its first transatlantic service—from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR)—in August 2021, with service to London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) the following month. JetBlue added Paris, Amsterdam and now Madrid and Dublin.

JetBlue continues to be in love with Boston. JetBlue is New England’s largest airline and announced in September 2024 that it will open its first lounge at JFK Airport, New York, in late 2025. A larger lounge is also on the way. “soon after” to Boston, per a release obtained by Travel + Leisure. Mint clients will have access to the lounge.

JetBlue began its JFK-Edinburgh flight in May last year. This expansion follows the success of the JFK-Edinburgh route, which has helped to boost Scotland’s popularity as a “it” destination. Outlander James Bond’s latest film, “Skyfall”. Edinburgh is second in popularity in the United Kingdom, after London. Carl Walsh – senior vice president of VisitBritain U.S. – described it as a “great starting point to explore Scotland and the U.K. rich in history, cultural, and character.”

JetBlue has announced special round-trip prices for daily service between Boston, Edinburgh: $649 in economy, and $3,299 in Mint premium. The seasonal route currently runs through October 25.

Erbeck stated that “this isn’t simply another route.” It’s an important milestone in Jetblue’s European growth story. The addition of Edinburgh to Boston after our successful JFK debut last year strengthens JetBlue’s presence in Boston, and introduces more travelers to the JetBlue difference.

After the excitement of my first trip to Edinburgh, I also looked forward to a JetBlue perk that I had heard about: I would be staying in a Mint pod. I have walked by them so many times as I walked to an economy class seat. After the remarks, I boarded an Airbus A321LR dubbed, “A Mint Summer’s Night Dream.” The jets are equipped with amenities like free WiFi (or Fly-Fi), snacks, meals prepared by culinary partner DIG and seatback screens.

The most desirable nesting spot for flights are the 24 Mint Business Class Suites, with their lie-flat chairs. For the inaugural flight, pods decorated with Scottish Flags looked like hibernation cells from a sci fi flick, particularly under the soothing cabin lights. Mint has made some changes to its service for each trip to Edinburgh, which departs at 10:30 pm.

The flight was scheduled to last less than six hours. I was welcomed by Kristen, Mary and Anthony, who showed me to my Mint Cabin. Every passenger on the inaugural flight received a card that offered a free box or Scottish Breakfast Tea from Whittard, located just a short distance from the new terminal. 100 Princes Street hotel. At 4A, I found postcards, a food menu, and a Caara pouch filled with goodies: a dental kit, socks, a Tuft & Needle sleep mask and set of earplugs, and a towelette, facial cleansing pads, lip balm, hand cream, and moisturizer from the brand Dr. Dennis Gross. A pillow and extra-long blanket from Tuft & Needle continued the spa-like vibe. I’m certainly not the most Relaxation is a good thing. Air passenger, I was relieved to find that Kristen was offering me a glass or champagne as a cure for the pre-flight nerves. She was so excited about my first flight in Mint.

I swapped out my sneakers for free slippers as soon as I got into my pod. Mary showed how to use the over-the -shoulder seatbelt. She also helped me order food on the pod’s television screen. I was sipping a Limitless Spritz – one of two zero proof cocktails on the menu. Anthony was the real MVP. Anthony was the real MVP. He offered to charge my phone, which I had almost run out of, without asking.

“My father, who emigrated as a child from Scotland to America, is my great honor to be the pilot of the first JetBlue Flight from Boston Edinburgh”, said our Captain Ian Duncan in his welcome.

The nor’easter caused some turbulence in the early part of the flight. This also caused a delay of about an hour for dinner. As tempting as it was to lie flat in my seat and catch some shut-eye—while others around me tapped at their laptops in the glow of reading lights—I wanted the full Mint meal experience, so I curled up and watched TV. JetBlue’s screens feature Peacock, and I keep wanting to watch it. Poker Face I chose to rewatch episodes of HacksThe sound of the sound pumping through the Master & Dynamic headphones.

A notable change to Mint’s service for all flights departing after 8:30 p.m. is the “Savor & Sleep” concept of a more limited menu served all at once, though the bites are still restaurant-quality small plates curated by New York City-based Delicious Hospitality Group. Mint passengers can choose their meals before takeoff, or they can skip all of them, press the “do no disturb” button and sleep through the flight. I chose the full dinner, which was a partnership between Bar Pasquale in New York City and Mint.

Dinner arrived beautifully presented on real plates. I enjoyed a chilled salad of endive, cucumber, crispy Parmigiano Frico, and creamy buttermilk dressing with a lemony vinaigrette. Orecchiette was a surprise highlight. It was slightly al dente, with a pepper-spiked Pomodoro Sauce, a pesto heavy on basil, and a pile of shredded Parm. I could have sworn that it had just come out of the kitchen of a deluxe restaurant. A generous pan-roasted main course was accompanied by slivers of artichoke and mint. Breadcrumbs were also added. A roasted rhubarb jam-like compote was the perfect contrast to vanilla gelato’s richness. It also added a little crunch.

Before take-off, I chose the breakfast to-go instead of the full service offering, which included chia pudding, blackberry preserves and a large selection of coffee and tea. The to-go breakfast was just what I needed, since I was too full from dinner to think about food.

Instead, I was happy to fully recline my seat, lay back on the Tuft & Needle foam mattress, and drift off for easily the most restful sleep I’ve ever gotten on a plane. The next morning, I was surprised to find a to-go box with banana bread and orange juice. A can of iced oatmilk latte had also been prepared. The green patchwork of the Scottish landscape was visible below the plane as it drifted from the clouds.