jetBlue Mint JFK-LAX
I went back to reliable Uber when the Dial7 dispatcher gave me NY-attitude when I didn't give him a flight number and told him we were going to the Global Entry office at Terminal 4. "I'm not taking you unless you give me a flight number". Uber Black showed up 90 seconds after I ordered the car. And 60 minutes later, we pulled up to T4.
And a few minutes later at the Global Entry office for Mrs. SFO777's 4:45pm renewal interview. There was not a single availability at LAX until next year. But amazingly, JFK had wide open availability so it was really convenient prior to our 7pm flight back to LAX.
After the interview, we headed upstairs to the AirTrain...
... for the short ride to Terminal 5.
Mint and Mosaic for those that needed to check bags.
PreCheck was deserted and we were thru into the terminal in no time.
With no proper lounge, we checked out the restaurants and decided on 5ive Steak.
Nice atmosphere and great service.
We just wanted something to tide us over.
Mrs. SFO777's wedge salad was good.
My chili was excellent.
At around T-50, we headed to nearby Gate 24.
While Mrs. SFO777 relaxed, I explored the rest of this wing of the Terminal 5. I'd visited the pathetic Airspace Lounge on my last trip and one time was enough.
Cool "Rooftop" although not much of a view.
Meanwhile back at the gate, we boarded a few minutes later. jetBlue's Mint Class is a 5 row 16 seat cabin with three rows of 2-2 and two row of single closed door suites. These single seats are great in the best seats between NY and LA. Unfortunately, they tend to go first so were not available this day. But for a couple the 2-2 is typically more practical.
jetBlue's food is also better than the competition on this route.
Our pre-departure beverage was jetBlue's signature RefreshMint cocktail, a lovely blend of mint, limeade and vodka.
Comfy full lie flat seat, live DirecTV and on demand movies.
Once in the air, cockail service was reasonably prompt.
With the really tasty Carmelized Onion Dip with taro chips.
But after that, service was downhill from there. Despite two FA's working the galley, meal service took forever as did drink refills. Nearly an hour later...
jetBlue Mint passengers get their choice of three of five tapas style dishes.
The Yuzu Caesar Salad with baby gems were delicious.
The Dry Aged Angus Burger with bacon-onion jam was really good although the havarti cheese and bun were stone cold.
But the highlight tonight was the Butter Poached Lobster with poblano chili basmati rice and pickled peppers. Wow.
After a movie and dinner, and apparently bored out of my mind, I became fixated by our air speed. I've never ever seen any air speed remotely fast. Not sure how accurate it was but this was a pretty cool to watch. 766 mph.
OMG, up to 791 mph! Do I hear 800??
Time for dessert while I watched the air speed. The Blue Marble blueberry ice cream was delicious.
Oh so close, at 799 mph, where it stayed for the next 30 minutes before falling back to reality. Perhaps the speedometer doesn't go higher than 800??
All is all, a pleasant flight although the snail's pace meal service by this challenged crew was a little annoying.