JetBlue A320 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
This is a genuine version lottery — and a third variant is incoming. The seat-selection stakes are meaningful.
Quick Verdict
| Aircraft | Airbus A320-200 |
| Fleet size | 103 aircraft (87 Restyled, 16 Classic) |
| Configuration | VERSION LOTTERY: Restyled (162 seats) vs Classic (150 seats) |
| Layout | 3-3 (both versions) |
| Version lottery? | Yes — and a third variant (with First Class) arriving August 2026 |
| Best seats (Restyled) | Rows 2-5 A/F (EMS front), exit rows 10-11 A/F |
| Best seats (Classic) | Rows 2-5 A/F (EMS, 37" pitch — more legroom than Restyled) |
| Seats to avoid | Row 26 (1 window only), row 27 (no windows, last row, near lavs) |
| IFE | Seatback screens at every seat, live TV |
| WiFi | Free Viasat-2 high-speed (Restyled) / older system on Classics |
BlueFirst: what is actually confirmed
JetBlue's domestic first-class cabin, BlueFirst, has cleared FAA certification and the first modified A320 cabin is expected within weeks. Installations run at roughly 20 A320-family aircraft a month, with around a quarter of the non-Mint fleet done by the end of 2026 and the majority by the end of 2027. Until then, the two layouts below are what is flying.
What is confirmed: 12 BlueFirst seats on the A320, in three rows of 2-2, using the Collins Aerospace MiQ recliner, at 36 to 37 inches of pitch. The seats come out of EvenMore, not out of standard economy — the EvenMore section drops from five rows to three, at around 35 inches.
The catch: standard economy pitch falls from JetBlue's long-standing 32 inches to 30 inches. The most generous economy cabin in the US domestic market becomes an ordinary one.
What is not settled: the total seat count. Accounts of the retrofit do not agree — some describe a cabin that keeps the current 162-seat total by adding a row, others describe 12 first, 18 EvenMore and 120 standard, which totals 150. No seat map has been published for the retrofitted cabin, so we are not going to publish row numbers for it. This guide will be updated with a verified map when one exists.
The Version Lottery
This is a genuine version lottery — and a third variant is incoming. The seat-selection stakes are meaningful:
Restyled A320 (87 aircraft)
- 162 seats in 27 rows
- 42 Even More Space: rows 1-5 (front) + rows 10-11 (exit) at 35" pitch
- 120 Core at 32" pitch
- Bigger IFE screens, Viasat-2 WiFi, USB-C + AC power
- Seat width: 18.0-18.4"
- Thales AVANT IFE
Classic A320 (16 aircraft)
- 150 seats in 25 rows
- 42 Even More Space at 37" pitch — 2 inches more than Restyled
- 108 Core at 34" pitch — also 2 inches more than Restyled
- Older IFE screens, older WiFi system
- Being phased out — unlikely to get one, but if you do, the legroom is noticeably better
How to tell which version you're on:
- 27 rows on the seat map = Restyled (162 seats)
- 25 rows on the seat map = Classic (150 seats)
- Check at booking — the seat map shows total row count
INCOMING: First Class Variant (August 2026+)
JetBlue has confirmed it will add 12 domestic First Class recliner seats (Collins MiQ) to the A320 fleet, starting prototype installation in June 2026 and fleet rollout from August 2026 at ~20 aircraft/month.
- ~12 First Class recliners at 36-37" pitch
- Even More Space at ~35" pitch
- Core Economy dropping to ~30" pitch (down from current 32")
This is a significant reduction in Core pitch. Until this rolls out, the current Restyled A320 at 32" Core is the best version to fly. We'll update this guide as the new configuration enters service.
Best Seats — Restyled A320 (162 seats)
Even More Space (42 seats)
Front EMS (rows 1-5): 35" pitch
- Row 1 is bulkhead — extra legroom but armrest tray table (narrower seat)
- Best pick: Rows 2-4, seats A or F (window, away from bulkhead)
- Row 5 is the last EMS row before standard Core begins at row 6
Exit row EMS (rows 10-11): up to 38" pitch
- Maximum legroom on the aircraft
- Seats do not recline
- No under-seat storage during takeoff/landing
- Best pick: 10A or 10F (exit row window)
Core Economy (120 seats)
Rows 6-9 and 12-27 are Core Economy at 32" pitch.
Best Core seats:
- Rows 6-9, seats A or F — window seats in the short section between front EMS and exit rows. Close to front, away from rear lavs.
- Rows 12-15, seats A or F — first Core section after exit rows. Still forward in the cabin.
Seats to Avoid
- Row 26 — only has one window (reduced view)
- Row 27 — last row, no windows at all, directly in front of rear lavatories
- Any B or E seat — middle seats in 3-3 layout
Cabin Features Comparison
| Feature | Restyled (162 seats) | Classic (150 seats) |
|---|---|---|
| Total seats | 162 | 150 |
| Rows | 27 | 25 |
| EMS rows | 1-5 + 10-11 | — |
| EMS pitch | 35" | 37" |
| Core pitch | 32" | 34" |
| Seat width | 18.0-18.4" | 17.8" |
| IFE | Thales AVANT, larger screens | Older screens |
| WiFi | Viasat-2 high-speed (free) | Older system |
| Power | USB-A, USB-C, 110V AC | USB-A, 110V AC |
| Lavatories | 1 forward + 2 rear | 1 forward + 2 rear |
Quick-Pick Summary (Restyled)
| Traveller type | Best seats |
|---|---|
| Solo | Window seat A or F, rows 2-5 (EMS) or 6-9 (Core) |
| Couple | A+B or E+F, rows 2-5 (EMS) |
| Legroom priority | Exit rows 10-11 (up to 38" pitch) |
| Budget | Rows 6-9 A or F — 32" Core is still best-in-class US economy |
| Avoid | Row 27 (no windows, last row), row 26 (limited windows), all B/E seats |
How to Tell Which A320 You're On
| Indicator | Restyled | Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Seat map rows | 27 rows | 25 rows |
| Total seats | 162 | 150 |
| Rear rows | Goes to row 27 | Ends at row 25 |
| Cabin finish | Modern, blue-lit | Older finishes |
Most JetBlue A320s are now Restyled. Only ~11 Classics remain and they're being phased out. If your seat map shows 25 rows, you've got the Classic — enjoy the extra legroom while it lasts.
Comparable Guides
- JetBlue A220-300 Seat Selection Guide
- JetBlue A321 Domestic Seat Selection Guide
- JetBlue A321LR Mint Transatlantic Seat Selection Guide
- Delta A321-200 (ceo) Seat Selection Guide
- American Airlines A321 Seat Selection Guide
FAQ
Does the JetBlue A320 have seatback screens?
Yes — every seat has a personal IFE screen with live TV and on-demand content on both Restyled and Classic versions.
Is JetBlue adding First Class to the A320?
Yes — Collins MiQ recliner seats are being installed starting August 2026 at ~20 aircraft/month. This will add ~12 First Class seats but reduce Core economy pitch from 32" to approximately 30".
Which JetBlue A320 is better — Classic or Restyled?
For legroom, the Classic wins (34" vs 32" in Core, 37" vs 35" in EMS). For amenities, the Restyled wins (bigger screens, better WiFi, USB-C). Only ~11 Classics remain, so you'll almost certainly get a Restyled.
How does the JetBlue A320 compare to the A220?
The A220 has a 2-3 layout (fewer middle seats), wider seats (18.6" vs 18.0-18.4"), and the same 32" Core pitch. The A320 has more total seats and serves more routes. If you can choose, the A220 is the better passenger experience.
Row 27 has no windows — is it that bad?
Combined with proximity to the rear lavatories and being the last row (limited or no recline), it's the worst seat on the aircraft. Avoid it if you can.
When will the First Class A320s start flying?
Prototype installation is planned for June 2026, with fleet rollout starting August 2026. At ~20 aircraft/month, the full fleet conversion will stretch into 2027.