JetBlue Review for First-Time Flyers

Let me set the scene:

It’s 5:45 a.m.

I’m sitting at the gate at Boston Logan, trying not to cry in front of my kids.

This wasn’t just my first time flying JetBlue. It was my first time flying, ever.

And I wasn’t just flying solo. I was flying with two excited kids who had never done this before either and a frequent flyer husband with all the patience in the world.

I barely slept the night before.

I was up every hour checking the time, fighting off anxiety, Googling “How safe is flying in 2025,” and silently panicking about all the things that could go wrong.

But JetBlue made things easier than I expected.

We paid an extra $15 for expedited security, which was worth it. Security took maybe ten minutes total, and JetBlue’s self-check-in and bag drop were easy to navigate, even for someone who’d never done it before.

Boarding was smooth. They called families with children to board early, which made a huge difference for us. We didn’t feel rushed or crammed. The gate agents were friendly and actually seemed happy to be there (which was a nice surprise at 6:30 in the morning, especially in Boston).

Once on board, the flight attendants immediately made eye contact with the kids, offered them snacks, and gave them stickers while we settled in. That small detail, acknowledging the kids before checking boarding passes, went a long way.

Takeoff was rough for me. I cried. I gripped the armrests like we were plummeting even though we were clearly not.

But JetBlue’s in-flight WiFi (FlyFi) worked very well, and being able to post updates and message friends in real-time kept me grounded.

The seatback entertainment screens were easy to use, and we had a solid lineup of movies, TV, and music to choose from. I got to enjoy Wicked while the kids played on their tablets (a rare treat for them!). From the start, it was actually kind of relaxing!

The snack cart came by about 30 minutes into the flight. The standard offerings were solid:

• Cheez-Its

• Cookies

• Popcorners

• Specialty sandwiches (for an extra cost)

• Drinks (we chose juice boxes + ginger ale)

Everything was included at no additional charge, but extra snacks or alcohol could be purchased directly from the seatback screen with a credit card.

The kids each got two chocolate chip granola bars without any weird looks or pushback from the crew. I appreciated that more than I can say.

We hit some turbulence about halfway through the flight, which was definitely uncomfortable. But the pilot gave clear, calm updates throughout, and the flight attendants didn’t seem even a little phased. That helped me stay calm, or at least pretend I was for the sake of our kids.

And here’s the part I’ll never forget:

They let the kids peek inside the cockpit.

It was quick, but it was special, and both kids talked about it for the rest of the trip.

By the time we landed, I felt like a different person.

Still not chill. Still not excited to fly again.

But proud. Grounded. Capable.

And JetBlue had a lot to do with that.

They didn’t just get us to Dallas.

They got me through one of the scariest, most vulnerable things I’ve ever done, without making me feel small or ridiculous.

Would I fly JetBlue again?

No question.

They made my first flight, and my kids’ first flight, feel like an experience, not a crisis.

And for that, I’ll always be grateful.