“I simply need the meal service to take longer,” stated nobody ever on a brief eastbound transatlantic flight.
That is as a result of, on most flights between the East Coast and Europe, the key to beating jet lag is to maximise your sleep. That is very true if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to sit down within the pointy finish of the airplane with lie-flat beds.
Whereas the business-class expertise will get you a totally flat seat, it additionally usually consists of two meals. This can be a lot of meals, however extra importantly, it is also a whole lot of wasted sleeping time, contemplating these flights take simply roughly seven hours.
So, any innovation that makes the meal service go sooner is a win in my e book. That is the place JetBlue excels, with an improve that I’ve by no means seen earlier than on a flight to Europe.
Particularly, the airline lately debuted a wi-fi ordering function that lets you choose your meal choices immediately from the seatback display.
This innovation caught me unexpectedly final week through the airline’s inaugural flight to Paris, but it surely’s maybe the most important enchancment I’ve seen but to the onboard service stream on a brief transatlantic flight.
As you are settling into your seat, the seatback display invitations you to put your order. The simple-to-understand ordering system prompts you to make your decide for dinner and breakfast, and it consists of an unbelievable quantity of element on every dish.
It lists the principle components, together with any allergens, and it additionally shows an image of what the dish appears to be like like. The system even lets you choose the “categorical” service for both meal, permitting you to completely customise your eating expertise when seated in Mint.
When you make your picks, you will be requested to verify your complete meal order earlier than sending it off wirelessly to an iPad within the galley.
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On the Paris inaugural, flight attendants got here by way of the aisle throughout boarding to shortly verify my order and ask what I might wish to drink after takeoff.
As soon as within the air, the crew sprang into motion, losing no time getting the service underway and making ready meals.
By digitalizing the meal ordering course of, flight attendants simply shaved off 10 to fifteen minutes from the service stream — one thing I used to be very grateful for when it was lastly time to catch some shut-eye.
Apparently, JetBlue first launched this wi-fi ordering function within the economic system cabin on transatlantic flights. These seated in Core, as JetBlue calls coach, can place their custom-made meal order from the display anytime throughout boarding, taxi and takeoff.
The system works equally to the one in enterprise class, besides there are fewer decisions.
For now, JetBlue continues to print menus in its Mint business-class cabin. Nevertheless, I would not be shocked if it determined to remove these and go all-in on digital ordering, maybe marketed as a sustainability initiative.
However so as to absolutely digitalize the ordering expertise, I might need to see three extra upgrades from JetBlue.
The primary could be the power to order drinks from the seatback display. Till then, there’s nonetheless a touchpoint with the crew that may be eradicated.
Secondly, it would be nice if JetBlue enabled on-demand ordering between meal companies. As a substitute of urgent the decision button to flag a flight attendant, it would be nice if you happen to might merely request your drinks and snacks from the seatback display anytime through the flight.
Lastly, I might like to see the airline introduce a preorder possibility, permitting you to order your meal roughly per week earlier than your flight. This can be a service that American Airways, Delta Air Traces and United Airways provide on many long-haul routes. It helps set expectations and remove waste.
If JetBlue enabled this service, it would be cool in case your preordered meal mechanically appeared on the seatback display and requested you to verify that you just’re nonetheless joyful along with your picks.
Even with out these upgrades, JetBlue’s innovation is one thing I hope different airways copy.
In fact, there is a {hardware} limitation on older planes with out wireless-enabled seatback screens. Nonetheless, it is a nifty new function that ought to actually save precious time on brief red-eyes to Europe.
I, for one, very a lot appreciated feeling a bit extra refreshed after I awoke in Paris.