Flying to Spain for the First Time (and Why JetBlue Mint Was Worth the Splurge)
Flying to Spain for the first time is exciting enough. Add in the fact that my sister and I were headed there to walk the Camino de Santiago, and suddenly this wasn’t just a vacation — it was a journey we had talked about, planned for, and emotionally needed.
The past few years had been hard with losing our mother, she lost her husband, and our father would soon be gone as well. We made a decision that felt a little bold and a little indulgent: we were going to do something we had never done before and fly JetBlue Mint. We are living on borrowed time and we wanted to make the most of it.
No cramped overnight flight. No arriving in Europe feeling like we had been folded into a carry-on bag. This time, we were going to do it differently.
And let me tell you… it was an experience like no other.
Our journey to Spain started with a JetBlue hop to Boston
Our trip began with a JetBlue economy flight from Reagan National Airport to Boston Logan Airport. Even in economy, JetBlue reminded us why people tend to like flying with them. The seats felt roomy, the entertainment screens were a nice touch, and the service was genuinely friendly — not fake-friendly, but actual “we’re glad you’re here” kind of friendly. JetBlue’s Core experience also includes free seatback entertainment, snacks, drinks, and Fly-Fi, which already makes economy feel a little less painful than some airlines.
Boston was our launching point for Spain, and that’s where things got really interesting.
Boarding JetBlue Mint felt like stepping into another world
After our layover in Boston, we boarded our overnight flight to Spain in JetBlue Mint.
Most JetBlue Mint aircraft have playful names with “Mint” in the title, but ours was different. Our plane was named Joel Peterson, honoring JetBlue’s former Chairman of the Board, who passed away in 2025.
That little detail made it feel special before we even sat down.
Then we got to our seats.
And that’s when it hit us: Oh… this is not regular flying.
The personal touches made JetBlue Mint feel special
One of the first things that caught my eye was seeing our names appear on our personal seatback screens. It felt like a small detail, but it made the experience feel personal right from the start.
From those same screens, we were able to browse and select our meals before takeoff — another touch that felt a little fancy in the best possible way. JetBlue Mint includes curated dining with meal selections made onboard through the entertainment system, and Mint passengers can pre-select from menu options depending on the route and timing of the flight.
My meal selections were Farro Snap Pea Salad, Orecchiette, and Chicken Milanese along with Vanilla Gelato with blackberry preserves and almond oat crumble for dessert.
My light bite was a Rosemary Honey Biscuit served with Greek Yogurt with lemon marmalata.
The screens also gave us access to movies, entertainment, and more — and thankfully, JetBlue included noise-canceling headphones as part of the experience, which made watching movies much nicer.
The JetBlue Mint perks that made the overnight flight easier
Flying overnight to Europe can be rough. Flying overnight to Europe in Mint? That’s a whole different story.
Some of the things we loved included:
- Noise-canceling headphones
- A comfy pillow and blanket
- Cocktails and snack mix
- An amenity kit filled with travel essentials
- Adjustable lighting in our personal space
- Seatback entertainment
- Lie-flat seats that turned into an actual bed
JetBlue’s Mint cabin is known for its lie-flat seating, comfort-focused bedding, premium dining, entertainment screens, and amenity kits — all designed to make long-haul travel feel a lot less brutal.
And honestly? Being able to recline flat and actually sleep before arriving in Spain made a huge difference.
Was JetBlue Mint worth it?
For this trip? Absolutely.
After losing our father, my sister and I wanted to do something special. Walking the Camino was already going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and flying Mint felt like the perfect way to start it.
It wasn’t just about champagne and fancy seats (though I’m certainly not mad about that). It was about comfort, rest, and starting a meaningful trip in a way that felt a little celebratory.
JetBlue’s credit card made future travel look tempting
We also signed up for the JetBlue Plus credit card, which gave our TrueBlue points balance a very nice boost.
Suddenly, future flights started looking a lot more possible. Dangerous? Maybe. Tempting? Absolutely.
For travelers who like to collect points, JetBlue’s loyalty program and branded credit card can make premium travel a little more attainable than paying cash outright every time. JetBlue also offers fare options ranging from Blue Basic to Mint, depending on how much flexibility and comfort you want.
If you’re planning a trip to Spain, this flight was just the beginning of the adventure. Be sure to check out more of our Camino de Santiago journey, including our stay at Hostal Real de Santiago de Compostela (coming soon), tips for walking the Camino for the first time (stay tuned!), and our experiences taking a Madrid food tour.
Final call
Flying to Spain for the first time was already going to be unforgettable. And flying JetBlue Mint? That was the icing on the travel cake.
The customer service was impeccable, the economy flight was surprisingly comfortable, and Mint made crossing the Atlantic feel less like endurance and more like part of the adventure.
JetBlue just might have earned a permanent place on our favorites list.
Have you ever splurged on a flight upgrade for a special trip? Leave a comment below and tell me if it was worth it! And if Spain or the Camino is on your travel wish list, don’t forget to pin and share this post for later.
