JetBlue gets rid of perk for economy flyers in move to cut costs

JetBlue is looking to cut costs, and to do so they’re taking away one perk for economy flyers.

The airline has dished out new menus for transatlantic flights with a shocking update: there will no longer be hot meals for passengers in economy.

Nearly all airlines allow economy flyers to get at least one hot meal, but in an attempt to save money, JetBlue’s economy menu now reads: “All items served chilled.”

There are only two main course options during lunch and dinner on transatlantic flights. Traveling eastbound, options include a chicken grain bowl and ginger garlic tofu. Westbound main course options for lunch and dinner include pesto pasta salad and mushrooms & lentils.

“After a trial run this summer on our Dublin and Edinburgh seasonal flights, we are extending a new core menu onto our six transatlantic daily flights this winter,” JetBlue said in a statement to Business Insider.

“The menu, created in partnership with DIG, lives up to the standard we set for high-quality meals. This change is part of our effort to ensure we can continue to provide a great experience at JetBlue’s competitive fares on these routes.”

Passengers in Mint, JetBlue’s business class, still have hot food options, including pizza and roasted chicken.

The axing of hot meals in economy could potentially help the airline cut costs and get back to profitability.

Live and Let Fly, which first reported the menu change, also noted that JetBlue has also cut down the number of flight attendants on transatlantic flights by one starting in September.

While this is not officially linked to the meal changes, it could help the reduced cabin crew compensate for a greater workload.