JetBlue is promising London-bound passengers free meals, wider seats, and more when service finally starts this summer - take a look

• JetBlue just unveiled its planned in-flight service for economy passengers on European flights.
• Complimentary meals will be offered in economy for the first time in JetBlue history.
• Free high-speed WiFi will be available for the entire journey across the Atlantic.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

JetBlue Airways cannot wait to fly to Europe later this year.

April marks the two-year anniversary of the airline's landmark announcement that it would fly to Europe, starting with the UK capital of London. And though delayed by the pandemic, flights are scheduled to launch this summer with JetBlue ready to disrupt yet another market.

"We know all too well the pain points of international flying - the dreaded center section, the 'choice' of assembly-line chicken or beef, and the lack of connectivity," Jayne O'Brien, JetBlue's head of marketing and loyalty, said in a statement.

The entire experience, whether in Mint business class or economy class, is meant to feel like home. JetBlue's designers worked to ensure that all passengers would have the same conveniences as they would at home, whether it be access to high-speed WiFi or enjoying a high-quality meal.

Here's what you can expect when flying across the Atlantic on JetBlue in economy, or "core" as the airline calls it.

High-speed WiFi over the ocean

JetBlue is already the only US airline to offer free WiFi on domestic flights and will continue the trend on transatlantic journeys. High-speed satellite WiFi will be available free of charge to all flyers.

WiFi on traditional JetBlue aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Embraer E190 fleet is only available when flying within the US and overland but satellite WiFi enables passengers to stay connected when out over the open ocean.

A restaurant-inspired menu

Meals are coming to JetBlue Airways. All economy passengers will receive complimentary hot meals when flying between the US and Europe, just like any other full-service airline in the transatlantic market.

Three options including a protein and vegetable will be available as a main for flyers to choose from during the lunch and dinner meal service. Customers will then be able to choose two side dishes.

JetBlue chose the New York City-based restaurant group Dig for the economy meal menus while Mint menus will still be crafted by the Delicious Hospitality Group. Some choices for the main dishes include charred chicken and brown rice, meatballs and tomato farro, and spiced eggplant and quinoa. Side dish options include macaroni and cheese, sheet tray carrots, and tomato salad.

Beer, wine, and liquor will also be available free of charge alongside soft drinks, coffee, and tea.

Wider seats in economy

JetBlue won't be flying wide-body aircraft to London, but what will be wide are its seats. Each economy seat will offer 18.4 inches of width, .4 inches wider than those found on JetBlue's regular Airbus A321 aircraft, according to SeatGuru.

The seats are crafted with vegan leather called "ultraleather" and feature amenities like adjustable headrests, in-seat power outlets, and USB charging ports. Legroom will also be above average at 32 inches and seat-back pockets have been adjusted to allow for extra shin space while also featuring a water bottle holder and multiple mesh pockets.

Cabin walls have similar been redesigned to give window-seaters more available space. The extra space should make traveling on the narrow-body aircraft more bearable compared to the wide-body aircraft many are used to when traveling over the Atlantic.

High-definition in-flight entertainment

JetBlue operated its first flights more than 20 years ago with in-flight entertainment and has no plans to deny it to London-bound customers. Every seat in economy will feature 10.1-inch seat-back screens with full high-definition and JetBlue's latest in-flight entertainment offering.

Movies, television shows, games, and more will all be available to help pass the time. Live television is also available, with JetBlue curating international stations, or passengers can watch content from HBO and Showtime.

When it's time for the meal service, flyers can use the screen to access the menu and order their desired selection.

The upgraded product is also personalized to greet flyers based on their assigned seat, as Insider found on a recent JetBlue flight. Device-pairing capabilities will also be available to control the system in lieu of a physical remote in the armrest.

Passengers can also follow along with their flight's progress by using the moving map.

A self-service snack station

Passengers that get peckish in-between meal services also have access to a self-service snack station, dubbed the JetBlue "pantry." The walk-up bar is located in between the Mint and economy cabins and offers a variety of snacks and cold beverages for passengers to enjoy.

The station first appeared on JetBlue's Mint-equipped Airbus A321 aircraft but was soon added to the non-mint Airbus A321neo fleet.

As with all of JetBlue's snack and drink offerings, hungry customers can come and take what they want as many times as they want. It's all complimentary and included in the price of the ticket.

What remains to be seen

Important details still remain about the service including the launch date, the initial schedule on both routes, and which London airport JetBlue will serve. Airports Coordination Limited recently issued JetBlue landing slots at London's Heathrow Airport for its planned routes to New York and Boston but the airline still hasn't confirmed its London home.

"We have always said that we have a viable path into more than one London airport and that over the long term we expect to serve multiple airports in London," a JetBlue spokesperson told Insider. "JetBlue has applied for multiple slots at various airports and we are discussing the availability of permanent and temporary slots with the slot coordinators."