JetBlue is expanding its premium footprint at airports, unveiling its first-ever lounge as part of a broader push to elevate the travel experience for its most loyal and high-paying customers. The new BlueHouse, a 9,000-square-foot, two-level space inside Terminal 5 at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, opens December 18, 2025, and introduces a lounge brand the airline says is designed to feel less like a typical airport facility and more like a New York home.
Located across from Gate 526, the lounge seats 150 guests and will operate daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (opening at 8 a.m. on launch day). JetBlue describes BlueHouse as a cornerstone of its JetForward strategy, which aims to build a more consistent premium experience across cabins, loyalty tiers, and touchpoints.
To the JetBlue
Stephanie Evans Greene, senior vice president of marketing and brand, said the design approach was built around familiarity and emotional connection. “We wanted customers to feel like they’re stepping into a warm and stylish New York City apartment filled with character, where layers of JetBlue history and New York iconography can be discovered with every visit,” she stated. “Just as New Yorkers bring their own personality into a new space, we infused the space with JetBlue’s signature style to feel homey and comfortable when staying in our House.”
Amenities include high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, power outlets at nearly every seat, and an array of social seating areas. For travelers seeking quiet time before a long flight, designated relaxation zones provide subdued lighting and privacy. A game room offers JetBlue-branded cards, chess and checkers sets, and toys for children. The lounge also features a custom photo booth for guests seeking a personalized travel memento.
Food and Beverage Focused on Local Partners
BlueHouse’s culinary program draws heavily from New York’s dining culture. Union Square Events will prepare fresh grab-and-go items daily, including morning staples like bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches made with New York cheddar. Afternoon and evening options include pastrami on rye and chicken Caesar wraps.
The beverage lineup brings together several New York brands. Joe Coffee will operate the espresso bar, while Brooklyn-based Dona supplies chai and matcha. The bar program is curated in partnership with The Greats of Craft and Please Don’t Tell (PDT), offering local beers, craft cocktails, and a selection of wines chosen by top New York sommeliers. Guests will also find teas from Steven Smith Teamaker and can request a variety of travel-friendly amenities.
Access Policies Designed to Prevent Overcrowding
JetBlue is limiting entry to maintain what it calls a comfortable, premium atmosphere—an area where many competitors have faced customer frustration. Complimentary access begins at 5 a.m. on December 18 for Mosaic 4 members, JetBlue Premier Cardmembers, and transatlantic Mint passengers. Mosaic 4 members and Premier cardholders may bring one guest free and add others for $39. Guests of Mint customers will also pay a $39 fee. Domestic Mint travelers, however, do not qualify.
Beginning February 2026, JetBlue will sell limited lounge passes to Mosaic 1–3 members, JetBlue Plus and Business cardholders, non-transatlantic Mint passengers, and annual BlueHouse members.
Ed Pouthier, vice president of loyalty and personalization, framed the lounge as a major milestone for the airline’s loyalty evolution. “BlueHouse is one of the most significant enhancements we’ve ever made to our loyalty program,” he said. “Our Mosaic members and Premier Cardmembers already enjoy elevated benefits every time they fly, but BlueHouse introduces a new level of recognition for those who choose to fly us again and again.”
Part of JetBlue’s Larger JetForward Transformation
JetBlue executives say BlueHouse is the first of several premium initiatives aimed at boosting competitiveness in major markets. The airline is refreshing Terminal 5 with more than 40 new retailers and amenities, while a new domestic first-class cabin is planned for 2026. A second BlueHouse lounge is scheduled to open at Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal C next year.
Marty St. George, JetBlue’s president, emphasized the strategic significance of the new lounge. “BlueHouse helps make our flagship terminal feel more like home,” he said. “It’s warm, comfortable, and elevated in a way that’s distinctly JetBlue, with the hospitality and thoughtful amenities our customers have been asking for. As our first lounge, it represents an exciting milestone in our JetForward journey as we focus on bringing affordable, premium experiences from the aircraft to the airport.”
The launch positions JetBlue to compete more directly with full-service carriers on transatlantic routes—while signaling to loyal customers that the airline’s premium ambitions extend beyond the cabin.
