Both JetBlue and United Airlines announced their launch of Blue Sky, described as “a new and unique collaboration that gives customers of both airlines even more options to find flights that fit their plans as well as new opportunities to earn and use MileagePlus® miles and TrueBlue points across both airlines.”
Partnership Includes Miles Earning, Reciprocal Status Recognition Across Carriers
Under the agreement, JetBlue TrueBlue members will be able to earn and use points on all United flights, while United MileagePlus members will be able to earn and use MileagePlus points across most JetBlue flights. Flyers will be able to book itineraries including flights from both airlines using either the JetBlue or United website and app.
In turn, elite flyers from both programs will get reciprocal recognition when traveling with the other airline. Some of the benefits include priority treatment for check-in, boarding, security, and baggage, a free first checked bag, and access to preferred and extra leg room seats. The carriers say they may “extend the terms of parts of their corporate programs to the flights operated by the other airline,” which could include independently negotiated discounts.
What makes this partnership different from the short-lived “Northeast Alliance” with American Airlines is that JetBlue and United will not offer codeshare flights. Instead, the two will maintain an interline agreement while operating and marketing flights as two independent airlines.
With the partnership, both carriers will offer concessions to the other. United will gain slots for up to seven daily round-trip flights out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, operating out of Terminal 6 as early as 2027. United and JetBlue will also exchange eight flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). United will also transition their online sales platform for hotels, rental cars, cruises, and travel insurance to JetBlue’s Paisly platform for both single and package sales.
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