JetBlue builds airport lounges in New York and Boston

JetBlue Airways will open the first airport lounges in its more than two decades of flying, marking a major change for the budget airline chasing big-spending travelers.

The lounges will open at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York late next year, followed by Boston, JetBlue said Thursday.

The airline also plans to launch a new “premium” credit card with its partner Barclays, targeting companies such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines And American Airlineswho have generated billions in sales through lucrative credit card transactions.

Customers who hold the soon-to-be-announced premium credit card, those who have booked JetBlue's Mint business class for transatlantic travel and those with high-level frequent flyer status will have access to the lounges, the company said.

JetBlue said it plans to open the 8,000-square-foot lounge in Terminal 5 at New York's JFK Airport late next year, followed shortly thereafter by a 1,200-square-foot lounge in Terminal C at Boston Logan International Airport.

JetBlue is trying to cut costs and return to stable profitability by delaying the delivery of dozens of new Airbus aircraft, among other things. The airline has canceled dozens of routes this year and is looking for ways to better utilize its planes, which feature the Mint cabin, which offers lie-flat seats, upscale meals and other perks.

Access to the lounges will not be permitted – at least for now – to travelers on other Mint routes, such as transcontinental flights, Jayne O'Brien, JetBlue's director of marketing and customer support, told CNBC.

She said JetBlue does not want to disappoint customers if they cannot access the lounges because they are too crowded. “We want to be very thoughtful about how we approach this,” she said, adding that the lounges will feature cocktail and espresso bars, “light snacks” and space to work.

The highest tier of JetBlue's loyalty program and holders of the new premium card receive free lounge access for one guest.

O'Brien declined to comment on rumors that JetBlue plans to offer a Mini Mint cabin, a smaller version of its popular cabin, on some planes.

Other airlines have renovated their airport lounges to attract more big-ticket customers and handle crowds. Delta, which had restricted access to some of its popular Sky Clubs at airports after complaints about long lines, opened its first Delta One lounge at JFK Airport in June, reserved exclusively for customers in the highest cabin category and certain elite members of the SkyMiles program, where access is by invitation only.

American and United also have dedicated lounges for travelers in the best first and business class cabins.

Credit card companies such as American Express, chase And Capital One have also opened airport lounges in cities across the country in an effort to attract customers.

JetBlue isn't the only airline considering expanding the perks that come with higher fares.

Southwest Airlines plans to offer seats with more legroom to boost revenue, the biggest change in the company's more than five decades of flying. Southwest will provide more details on its strategy at an investor day next week. Spirit Airlines And Border airlines have also launched packages that include more spacious seats and earlier boarding.