On paper, a Southwest vs JetBlue comparison seems like it would be a pretty easy one to make. After all, both airlines have extremely loyal cult followings, they both serve many of the same destinations, and they both give the big three mainline US carriers an equal amount of heartburn on a daily basis. However, it’s a little more complicated than that.
Southwest vs JetBlue: a brief summary of all the similarities and differences
It’s really easy to make the assumption that JetBlue and Southwest are more similar than they are different, but I had to do a lot of head scratching to try and prove that assumption correct. Once I started listing out all of the similarities and differences, it was clear that these two airlines are far more different than I assumed them to be.
Similarities
- Both airlines operate a fleet of narrowbody aircraft exclusively
- Both airlines operate similarly, in the sense that they utilize both the hub-and-spoke and point-to-point business models for their flight networks. They aren’t limited to one way of doing things.
- Both offer an enhanced basic economy seat featuring extra legroom with premium snacks and drinks.
Differences
- Southwest has a vast flight network covering a majority of the United States. JetBlue is focused primarily on the eastern half – although they do fly from coast to coast between key business markets.
- Southwest operates an all Boeing 737 fleet. JetBlue is an all Airbus operator.
- JetBlue offers a business class / first class seating option on some flights (mostly transcons). Southwest does not.
- Although both airlines serve international destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, only JetBlue flies transatlantic to various destinations in western Europe.
JetBlue vs Southwest Seat comparison
In general, the seats on both airlines are the same. You’re not going to find either one of these airlines to be far more comfortable than the other.
I also need to point out that there will be no mention of JetBlue Mint in this comparison. It’s arguably the best domestic first class (and has been for years). Southwest Airlines doesn’t offer anything close to that. So I’ll just leave talk of first class / business class seating out of this section for the sake of simplicity.
Southwest Airlines basic economy seats
What can I say about the basic economy seats on Southwest (other than what I already said in my Southwest Airlines 737 MAX 8 review)? They pride themselves on being a simple airline offering friendly service with great fares. One of the ways they can offer great fares is by keeping their seats simple (without frills).
These basic economy seats are very simple. They are very hard and they do not feature video screens. However, they do feature USB charging ports. Legroom is just ok.
Southwest Airlines Extra Legroom seat
The Southwest Airlines Extra Legroom seat is a standard economy seat with a few extra inches of legroom. Because it’s the exact same seat, your butt is still going to hurt just as much.
JetBlue basic economy seats
In my opinion, the seats in JetBlue basic economy are better than what you’ll get on Southwest. No, they aren’t any more comfortable, but they do offer something that will make the majority of people happy: video screens. Yay!
If video entertainment is important to you on a flight, this Southwest vs JetBlue comparison ends here. Especially if you have kids and you need to keep them entertained on that 5-hour flight to grandma’s house.
JetBlue Even More Space seats
JetBlue’s competitor to Southwest’s Extra Legroom product is called “Even More Space”. And they’re not lying. You will indeed get more space than a basic economy seat.
Just like on Southwest, it seems to be about 3 inches extra. And no, there are no differences compared to a basic economy seat (other than orange-trimmed headrests).
Food comparison
Leaving what you’ll be served in JetBlue Mint out of the equation, the food you’ll be served in the JetBlue main cabin vs Southwest is slightly different.
Southwest Airlines food
Long story short, if you want to eat on Southwest Airlines, it behooves you to pack your own meal. All you’re going to get onboard is a complementary drink and a bag of snack mix (Extra Legroom passengers get a free premium snack, which honestly all that premium IMHO).
Alcohol is available for a fee (unless you splurge for an Extra Legroom seat), and it’ll add up fast if you’re a nervous flyer and you need a buzz to take the edge off.
JetBlue food
Just as you would experience on Southwest, you’ll get a complementary drink and a bag of snack mix on JetBlue.
However, the main difference compared to Southwest is that there’s a food for purchase menu – which is actually fairly decent.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the menu is amazing or anything, but it does offer items that can be qualified as “real” food. This can be a total lifesaver on flights longer than three hours – especially if you didn’t have time to get something to eat before the flight.
In flight entertainment
Believe it or not, Southwest (despite lacking video screens in the seats) holds its own against JetBlue when it comes to in flight entertainment. They offer a robust streaming service on many flights, and it’s actually pretty good. The only caveat is that you have you use your own device.
Why would you choose Southwest over jetBlue?
There’s a reason why both of these airlines have very strong cult followings: simply put, they have both carved out their own little niche in the air travel space, and they execute on it magnificently.
Choose Southwest if:
- You like having more flight options. Southwest offers far more flights on a daily basis than JetBlue does (to a far greater number of destinations)
- You want a flight that goes directly to your destination city without having to make a connection. This is much more likely to happen on Southwest with their robust poin-to-point flight network.
- You want to go to Hawaii. At the time of this writing, JetBlue does not fly out to the islands.
Choose JetBlue if:
- You want a video screen with live TV at your seat
- You want the option to pay for real food on your flight
- You like the idea of spending your hard-earned points on a really fancy business class upgrade someday
- You want to fly on an airline which gives you the option of earning (and spending) points on other airlines
- You want an airline which can take you to Western Europe
