Liberia–Fort Lauderdale Gains JetBlue BlueFirst on 26 December; Intro Fares Gone

JetBlue's new first-class cabin, BlueFirst, is set to arrive on flights to Costa Rica this winter. Seats are scheduled on the Fort Lauderdale–Liberia route from 26 December 2026, with two further Costa Rica services following on 5 January 2027.

The airline opened BlueFirst bookings on 15 October across more than 30 routes. Its first revenue flight in the new cabin runs from Boston Logan International Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on 8 December.

Key facts

• Fort Lauderdale to Guanacaste's international airport in Liberia starts 26 December 2026
• Fort Lauderdale to Juan Santamaría International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Liberia both start 5 January 2027
• Bookings opened 15 October 2026
• Introductory one-way fares started at $249, including $299 from New York to Liberia, but the promotion ended 16 October 2026
• Complimentary meals are served on flights of 1,447 kilometres (899 miles) or longer — all three Costa Rica routes qualify

Which Costa Rica routes are included?

Three Costa Rica routes are on the initial BlueFirst schedule, according to JetBlue's published route list. Service between Fort Lauderdale and Liberia begins on 26 December. Flights from Fort Lauderdale to Juan Santamaría International Airport and from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Liberia both follow on 5 January 2027.

JetBlue cautions that these dates reflect the earliest scheduled flights using BlueFirst-equipped aircraft. The cabin may appear only on select flights or dates, sometimes intermittently, and aircraft assignments can change. Travellers should confirm that BlueFirst is shown on their specific flight before booking.

What does the cabin offer?

BlueFirst is a dedicated two-by-two cabin at the front of the plane. Seats use Tuft & Needle foam and offer 13 centimetres (5 inches) of recline and up to 18 centimetres (7 inches) more legroom than JetBlue's standard economy seats. Each seat has a 34-centimetre (13.3-inch) screen with Bluetooth headphone pairing, free Wi-Fi and in-seat power.

On flights of 1,447 kilometres (899 miles) or longer, passengers receive a complimentary meal called FirstFare, with a main dish, side and dessert. Premium snacks, wine, cocktails and specialty coffee and tea are offered on every BlueFirst flight and can be ordered from the seatback screen. The cabin also includes Group 1 boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, priority check-in and expedited security access at more than 30 participating airports.

What are the fare levels?

There are three fare levels. BlueFirst Base is the cheapest, with one free checked bag, free seat selection only within 24 hours of departure, and fees for changes and cancellations. The standard BlueFirst fare adds a second checked bag, advance seat selection and no change or cancellation fees. BlueFirst Flex adds refunds to the original form of payment plus free same-day flight changes and standby.

JetBlue began sales with introductory one-way fares from $249, including $299 from New York to Liberia for travel between 5 January and 10 February. That promotion has ended, closing on 16 October.

How does BlueFirst differ from Mint?

BlueFirst does not replace Mint, JetBlue's business class on longer flights. The airline plans to install the new cabin on aircraft that do not carry Mint, extending a first-class option across more of its network, including Latin America and the Caribbean. Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue's chief executive officer, said the cabin will appear on more routes as JetBlue brings it to more aircraft.

What this means for travellers

Travellers booking JetBlue to Liberia or San José over the holiday and high-season period can look for a first-class option on these routes, but should check that BlueFirst is listed on the specific flight and date before booking, as JetBlue says aircraft assignments can change. Members of JetBlue's TrueBlue Mosaic frequent flyer tiers will be able to redeem new Premium Upgrade Certificates for BlueFirst or Mint, and Mosaic members on eligible fares can receive free space-available upgrades before departure. JetBlue said it will share details on those upgrades ahead of launch.

The rollout is anchored in Fort Lauderdale, where JetBlue has expanded since Spirit Airlines shut down in May. That same month, JetBlue announced it would end its Orlando flights to Costa Rica. The new cabin arrives as US arrivals to Costa Rica fell for a second straight month in September.