A new partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines will allow frequent fliers to earn and use points on both airlines.
United and JetBlue will also offer each others’ flights for sale on their websites and swap slots at New York area airports. Here’s what you need to know:
The new partnership deal is being called Blue Sky.
As part of the deal, United will gain seven takeoff and landing slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) starting in 2027.
In exchange, JetBlue will get eight takeoff and landing slots at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which is currently in a meltdown because of problems with runways and flight controller staffing.
United has advised travelers to avoid EWR for JFK or LaGuardia, and has been offering free flight changes for EWR passengers, so it’s possible the mess at Newark helped push this deal forward.
The deal means United returns to JFK Airport for the first time since 2022. JetBlue runs approximately 180 daily flights out of JFK.
The airlines have not announced what routes will use those newly swapped terminal slots, and the entire program is subject to federal review.
The deal is still subject to regulatory review.
Partnership Benefits
IMO, this is a better deal for JetBlue passengers, who now have access to the all the perks of United’s Mileage Plus program, including its international partners.
United Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance network, and its partners include airlines like Air Canada, Air India, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa.
Additionally, United has various non-Star Alliance partners, such as Hawaiian Airlines.
That compares with the JetBlue loyalty program, True Blue, which has no mileage partners, only codeshare agreements with several carriers.
“This collaboration with United is a bold step forward for the industry – one that brings together two customer-focused airlines to deliver more choices for travelers and value across our networks,” Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, said in a statement.
“United’s global reach perfectly complements JetBlue’s East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling.”
This is Not a Merger, Just a Partnership
JetBlue and United say they will continue to manage and price their networks independently, including the launch of new routes, frequencies and promotions.
Both airlines are adamant that this is just a headline-making partnership, not a merger – but some industry observers are speculating it is the first step in a take-over of JetBlue by United.
Members of each company’s loyalty program will be able to use and earn points across the two airlines and have access to the perks of their own loyalty program, such as preferred boarding and seating, when flying either airline.
It means passengers can use United
The new arrangement is slated to start rolling out this fall.
Both airlines are sorting out some technical issues that will allow fliers to book United flights through JetBlue, and vice versa.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is the Immediate Past President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
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