JetBlue plans to add business-class seating that will include four "mini-suites" on some of their Airbus A321 jets, according to the Airbus filing with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), reported by USA Today.
Airbus made the filing on behalf of JetBlue because it needs an exemption to outfit the aircraft in an atypical seat configuration, according to Seth Miller, an editor for the airlines Passenger Experience Association (APEX). The filing says that the proposed cabin configuration would be in a two-class layout featuring 16 business-class seats and 143 seats in coach.
"The Business Class includes four single seats that are "mini-suites" types," Airbus said in the filings, according to Miller.
JetBlue hopes to have the newly designed aircraft flying cross-country routes by early next year, according to Aviation Weekly. Previously, JetBlue has only offered single-class cabins since its launch in 2000, though the carrier has since added the option of "even more pace" seating for an extra fee.
The airline has also recently promised enhancements for its planes that fly transcontinental routes, where they have been facing increased competition from rival airline companies American, Delta, United and Virgin America.
The filing confirms that JetBlue plans to break away from a single-class cabin on cross-country flights. The mini-suites would arrive around the same time as American, Delta and United have announced plans for international-style full-lie-flat seats on their high-profile transcontinental routes.
The mini-suites would have a seat with "surrounding furniture" that would "provide privacy to the occupants."
JetBlue confirmed the filing but declined to offer specific details. They released a statement instead.
"Thirteen years ago JetBlue revolutionized the economy experience and we will do the same with premium transcon," the statement read. "Our new onboard experience will enable us to compete with other airlines' premium transcon products.
"While the FAA filing from Airbus contains the technical specifications as part of the certification process, all of the details including the branding and full experience will be revealed later this year," the statement continued.
A public comment period will run for 20 days.
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