I flew nonstop domestic economy on both American Airlines and Jet Blue to see which was better, and Jet Blue had a slight edge

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I flew nonstop domestic economy on both American Airlines and Jet Blue to see which was better, and Jet Blue had a slight edge

JFK terminal 5 selfie

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I flew from New York to Austin, Texas with Jet Blue. Then I flew back with American Airlines. My experience with Jet Blue was better.

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  • Jet Blue and American Airlines have similar rankings in Money's report of the best and worst US airlines, though American Airlines has a slight edge.
  • I recently flew round-trip from New York to Austin with one flight operated by Jet Blue and one flight operated by American Airlines, and although they were similar, I found that the Jet Blue flight had a slight edge in my own experience.
  • I flew nonstop economy from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) with Jet Blue.
  • I flew nonstop economy from ABIA to JFK with American Airlines.
  • Jet Blue's edge over American Airlines was clear from the start, thanks to Jet Blue's location at the state-of-the-art Terminal 5 at JFK.
  • My in-flight experience further secured my opinion, thanks to Jet Blue's reputation for having the most legroom in US domestic economy class seating.

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From the very beginning, Terminal 5 at JFK was more interesting than your average moving walkway.

From the very beginning, Terminal 5 at JFK was more interesting than your average moving walkway.

Jet Blue's check-in process at JFK provides an inviting experience for all travelers. I felt valued as a customer as soon as I began my journey.

Jet Blue's check-in process at JFK provides an inviting experience for all travelers. I felt valued as a customer as soon as I began my journey.
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This had a lot to do with Jet Blue's presentation at JFK. Aside from sharing with a few smaller airlines, Jet Blue pretty much has its own terminal ...

This had a lot to do with Jet Blue's presentation at JFK. Aside from sharing with a few smaller airlines, Jet Blue pretty much has its own terminal ...

Source: Travel and Leisure

... which is clean and organized with pops of color.

... which is clean and organized with pops of color.
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Different colored lights help direct travelers through the entire check-in process, from getting luggage tags and printing boarding passes ...

Different colored lights help direct travelers through the entire check-in process, from getting luggage tags and printing boarding passes ...

... to dropping off checked baggage.

... to dropping off checked baggage.
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American Airlines' check-in process at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport wasn't anything special.

American Airlines' check-in process at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport wasn't anything special.

But Austin's airport is much smaller than JFK, so I expected a smaller, underwhelming check-in area.

But Austin's airport is much smaller than JFK, so I expected a smaller, underwhelming check-in area.
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At Austin's airport, American Airlines shares a terminal with 14 other airlines, including Jet Blue.

At Austin's airport, American Airlines shares a terminal with 14 other airlines, including Jet Blue.

But regardless of the significant difference in check-in experiences, waiting to board my American Airlines' flight was similar to my experience waiting to board my Jet Blue flight.

But regardless of the significant difference in check-in experiences, waiting to board my American Airlines' flight was similar to my experience waiting to board my Jet Blue flight.
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While my gate was less crowded for my Jet Blue flight ...

While my gate was less crowded for my Jet Blue flight ...

... there were still plenty of empty seats at my gate for my American Airlines gate as well.

... there were still plenty of empty seats at my gate for my American Airlines gate as well.
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If anything, I had a much easier time finding my gate for my American Airlines flight ...

If anything, I had a much easier time finding my gate for my American Airlines flight ...

... whereas my gate at JFK was in a much larger terminal.

... whereas my gate at JFK was in a much larger terminal.
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In both cases though, I got to where I needed to be on time. I was at gate 27 for my Jet Blue flight ...

In both cases though, I got to where I needed to be on time. I was at gate 27 for my Jet Blue flight ...

... and I was at gate 32 for my American Airlines flight.

... and I was at gate 32 for my American Airlines flight.
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For both flights, I was in the last boarding group. I just listened to music while I was waiting for my turn to board.

For both flights, I was in the last boarding group. I just listened to music while I was waiting for my turn to board.

For both flights, the boarding process ran smoothly.

For both flights, the boarding process ran smoothly.
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But when I was waiting in line to board my Jet Blue flight, I noticed this neat playroom designed to entertain children. It made me wish I was a kid again, or at least wish I had a kid with me so I could play inside without judgment.

But when I was waiting in line to board my Jet Blue flight, I noticed this neat playroom designed to entertain children. It made me wish I was a kid again, or at least wish I had a kid with me so I could play inside without judgment.

With Jet Blue, I was aboard an Airbus A320.

With Jet Blue, I was aboard an Airbus A320.
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With American Airlines, I was aboard a Boeing 737-800, and they were very similar planes.

With American Airlines, I was aboard a Boeing 737-800, and they were very similar planes.

Source: Business Insider

Jet Blue's Airbus A320 has 162 seats.

Jet Blue's Airbus A320 has 162 seats.

Source: Jet Blue

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There are two versions of the AA Boeing 737-800. I was on version two — which has 12 more seats than version one — for a total of 172 seats.

There are two versions of the AA Boeing 737-800. I was on version two — which has 12 more seats than version one — for a total of 172 seats.

Source: American Airlines

Jet Blue's overhead bins fit suitcases as big as 22 inches long and nine inches wide ...

Jet Blue's overhead bins fit suitcases as big as 22 inches long and nine inches wide ...

Source: Jet Blue

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... and American Airlines' overhead bins have the exact same restrictions.

... and American Airlines' overhead bins have the exact same restrictions.

Source: American Airlines

Jet Blue's seats were 17.8 inches wide ...

Jet Blue's seats were 17.8 inches wide ...

Source: Jet Blue

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... with a whopping 34-inch seat pitch. That's more legroom than any other US domestic airline offers in economy seating.

... with a whopping 34-inch seat pitch. That's more legroom than any other US domestic airline offers in economy seating.

Source: Jet Blue, Seat Guru

American Airlines' seats were between 16.6-17.8 inches wide, depending on your seat. While the headrests were more comfortable than Jet Blue's, the seats on my American Airlines flight were noticeably smaller once I had someone sitting next to me.

American Airlines' seats were between 16.6-17.8 inches wide, depending on your seat. While the headrests were more comfortable than Jet Blue's, the seats on my American Airlines flight were noticeably smaller once I had someone sitting next to me.

Source: American Airlines

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Also, American Airlines only had a 30-inch seat pitch, making the overall flight experience a little less comfortable.

Also, American Airlines only had a 30-inch seat pitch, making the overall flight experience a little less comfortable.

Source: American Airlines

But at least American Airlines had a USB port for every seat, which is something my Jet Blue flight didn't have. But while American Airlines had power ...

But at least American Airlines had a USB port for every seat, which is something my Jet Blue flight didn't have. But while American Airlines had power ...
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... Jet Blue had screens.

... Jet Blue had screens.

Screens are becoming less common on flights in order to shrink economy seats. Many passengers bring their own devices nowadays, and seatback entertainment systems can quickly become obsolete.

Screens are becoming less common on flights in order to shrink economy seats. Many passengers bring their own devices nowadays, and seatback entertainment systems can quickly become obsolete.

Source: New York Times

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Jet Blue's entertainment options was a perfect example of that. Their in-flight entertainment included a choice of three movies, Direct TV, and Sirius XM.

Jet Blue's entertainment options was a perfect example of that. Their in-flight entertainment included a choice of three movies, Direct TV, and Sirius XM.

Source: Jet Blue

They also included access to Amazon Prime Video via your own device, but mine wasn't charged. And none of the movies interested me, so I watched Direct TV.

They also included access to Amazon Prime Video via your own device, but mine wasn't charged. And none of the movies interested me, so I watched Direct TV.
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American Airlines also had many in-flight entertainment options ...

American Airlines also had many in-flight entertainment options ...

... but only to stream on your own device.

... but only to stream on your own device.
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My experience on the American Airlines flight was a bit sickening. There was high turbulence and it was cold ...

My experience on the American Airlines flight was a bit sickening. There was high turbulence and it was cold ...

... even after I turned off my air-conditioning.

... even after I turned off my air-conditioning.
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Comparatively, my experience with Jet Blue was smooth.

Comparatively, my experience with Jet Blue was smooth.

Both flights left on time and arrived a few minutes early.

Both flights left on time and arrived a few minutes early.
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Overall, I'd say that for these two flights, Jet Blue had the slightest edge over American Airlines because of the pleasant check-in process in Terminal 5 and more comfortable flight experience overall.

Overall, I'd say that for these two flights, Jet Blue had the slightest edge over American Airlines because of the pleasant check-in process in Terminal 5 and more comfortable flight experience overall.

But I would fly domestic economy on either airline again.

But I would fly domestic economy on either airline again.
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