After some searching around we settled on Jetblue to Ronald Reagan airport via Boston. The reasons were down to getting a reasonable fare, one piece of checked in per passenger and the flight time. A 22:30 flight did mean we were flying overnight, but would give us the days either side and save a nights hotel cost.
So after some great stays at the Hyatt in Newport beach, Prestige at the Palazzo in Vegas and 10 days of total chill-out at the Fairmont in Scottsdale it was time to make our way to Washington. The Fairmont had given us a 16:00 checkout on our last day, so we could have a day by the pool and a final shower. On checking out we went and did a bit of shopping, coming back to the hotel for a meal (I has a USD25 voucher that I wasn’t going to waste!
), and made the 30 minute or so journey down to SkyHarbour airport, dropping the car off at Dollar.There were shuttle buses back to each of the terminal, with their own pick up points and we waited patiently for the bus to Terminal 3. A terminal 4 bus passed and stopped at the stop beyond ours. After a couple of minutes the driver got of that bus and waved for us to come on. Apparently in the evening one bus serves all terminals… however the signage gave no indication of this. More annoying the drop off for terminal 3 is slightly beyond the concourse entrances so we had to make our way across the road (no crossing) and then through the crowds spilling out of the arrivals baggage hall before reaching the departures entrance.
The Jetblue area was a single desk and a baggage drop. We had printed our boarding passes so straight to the drop where there was only one other passenger. We were quickly dealt with, but there was a small heart stopping moment when the agent said that one of my meticulously weighed bags was 3 pounds over! However, she just tagged the bag ‘heavy’ and we were OK (I later discovered that the damp costumed from the earlier swim had been stuffed in that bag, post weighing
).We made our way to the gate, the terminal was reasonable quiet, no queue at security so we were quickly through; although the arch ‘pinged’ for my daughter and she was swabbed for explosives (it’s a random ‘ping’ apparently).
We settled in the gate area. Of immediate note was the amount of ‘hand’ luggage that people had. As our seats were near the front and we would be in the last group boarding I was concerned that any overhead bin space would be gone. Mind you, I was pretty certain that some of the bags being taken on would not fit. Also in the departure area was a container of headsets for the TV on the plane. There was an ‘honour’ box by it for the 2 dollars that is charged for the headsets… This was ignored by the two people I saw take headsets from container.
Boarding was by row order, with ‘extra space’ customers being called first, Extra space seats were available for an additional USD50. On boarding I was surprised to see that the overhead bins above our seats were empty. How had this Airbus 320 managed to swallow it?? On boarding we were handed a small sealed plastic bag, with ‘snooze kit’ printed on it. It contained a set of earplugs and eyeshades.
With the 3 - 3 configuration, I was sat across the aisle from the wife and kids. The legroom was excellent, the pitch is given as 34 inches, but it felt roomier. The extra space seats have a 38 inch pitch, but, to be honest, I do not think it is worth the extra 50 dollars as the only other perk is early boarding. The seats are pale blue leather and I found them very comfortable. My comfort was added to by the centre seat remaining empty.
Pushback was on time and we were soon in the air with a flight of four and a half hours given. It was not long before the crew began their service.
The first pass through the cabin was offering the chance to buy headsets (2 dollars again) or a blanket and pillow set (Snooze kit and Blanket set here ).
The second pass was a drinks run. There is no trolley, the CC take individual orders from a few rows and then bring the drinks back on a tray. Soft drinks are free, with alcoholic drinks at about 6 or 7 dollars. For a small plane I think it is quite a nice way of doing it. I decided on a night cap of a vodka and coke, I offered up my Virgin Amex (hey, 10 miles is 10 miles!) but I was told that would be dealt with later.
The third pass is the snack basket of various crisps, chip and nuts. Larger snack boxes are available for purchase if you want ( Snacks here )
As we hoped for some sleep on the plane we had not purchased any headsets ( It’s a standard jack plug fitting by the way) so weren’t intending watching TV. The sets had been active all the time we were on the plane, only pausing of breaking off for announcements, safety info etc.) The picture quality was good and there was a large range of TV channels. Film channels could be purchased, but for a reason I can’t remember they were also free on this flight. I put my set to a news channel and was quite happy watching Olympic and Weather clips, reading the scrolling ticker information, whilst finishing my drink and nuts.
The rest of the flight passed smoothly. I had a good doze. I think there were a couple of walkthroughs by the crew overnight. With about 40 minutes to landing there was a hot towel, juice or water run. On getting out my credit card to pay for my again the CC said “Did I forget to take for that earlier? Never mind, forget it” (OK, no 10 miles, but a free drink).
We landed a couple of minutes early into Boston. As luggage was checked through, we disembarked and made our way out for some breakfast and out onward flight to Washington.
I was impressed with that flight. Great seat and service, reasonable price and a free checked bag, can’t be bad. Should we ever fly internal in the US again they will certainly be on the list.
More likely they would get out the bus just before they reached you and walk over with a bucket of water.. pour it in front of you whilst making small talk, wander back over to their bus and then floor it passed.. Sorry London Buses 
