JetBlue starts much-needed retrofit of legacy Mint business-class seats

The original Mint product is no longer as competitive as it was when it first launched.

The biggest issue with the original seat is being addressed by installing Tuft & Needle- branded seat cushions on its legacy Mint-equipped A321 jets.

There is a built-in mattress pad on the new seat covers. Direct access aisle from each seat is offered in the next- generation Mint product.

The seat cushions are very comfortable. The adaptive mattress foam is designed to offer a consistent sleep experience regardless of aircraft configuration.

The real improvement for frequent flyers will be the elimination of the inflatable padding system, which has been prone to deflating as it ages.

It feels like you are sitting on a park bench when you sit in a deflated mint seat. The economy seats in the last row are more pleasant.

I have experienced deflated seats on Mint flights, and each time the crew tried to reset the system, it failed. They replaced the seat cover to make it more comfortable.

The issue got so bad that JetBlue began stocking replacement seat covers on most Mint flights.

You can sign up for our newsletter.

This issue is finally being addressed by the airline. The seats will be more comfortable even though the airline will no longer give out $200 credits for deflated seats.

The airline has retrofitted five out of 35 Mint-equipped A321s with plans to complete the project by the end of February according to a spokesman.

The classic Mint seat could still use some TLC even though it's being addressed.

The inflight entertainment system is one of the older ones in the domestic skies. The interface feels like it came out of the 2000s.

The legacy Mint product isn't as competitive as it used to be due to airlines going all-in on direct aisle access in business class.

Significant wear and tear on the seats is one of the issues.

If the airline retrofits its existing aircraft with the Mint product, it would be a great idea, but it would cost a lot and it wouldn't be ready in time for the upcoming takeover of Spirit.

At least it is taking a big step in the right direction with the replacement of the seat covers.