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JetBlue & United Blue Sky Partnership: Loyalty Perks, JFK Slots, And More
For some time now, we’ve known that JetBlue and United plan to launch a partnership. There’s now a major update, as the details have been revealed.
For some time now, we’ve known that JetBlue and United plan to launch a partnership. There’s now a major update, as the details have been revealed.
Details of the JetBlue & United Blue Sky collaboration
JetBlue and United will be launching a partnership, named Blue Sky. Going back several years, this would’ve seemed unthinkable, but sure enough, industry dynamics have evolved. The partnership includes reciprocal loyalty perks, access to JFK for United, and much more.
Before we get into the details, here’s what United CEO Scott Kirby had to say:
“Blue Sky reflects our airlines’ shared focus on innovation and the customer experience. The JetBlue brand is tied to a great product and under Joanna’s leadership the airline continues to deliver for customers. We’re always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule. Plus, our employees are really excited about United’s return to JFK for the longer-term and we’re all looking forward to starting up flights very soon.”
Here’s what JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty had to say:
“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. 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 a clear win for our customers and crewmembers, and supports our JetForward strategy.”
I’ll go over the details below, but let me note that specifics largely still haven’t been revealed, so there’s a lot more for us to still learn.
JetBlue & United will offer reciprocal points opportunities
JetBlue TrueBlue and United MileagePlus are introducing reciprocal points earning and redemption opportunities. Exact details remain to be seen, but the idea is that JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn and redeem points on most United flights, while United MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights.
The two airlines will allow tickets to be booked across the websites of both airlines. Note that Blue Sky includes an interline agreement, but not a codeshare agreement, meaning that airlines will continue to publish and market flights independently, under their own brand and flight numbers.
I’m curious to see exactly what mileage earning and redemption rates look like, and what flights are excluded from the arrangement.
JetBlue & United will offer reciprocal elite perks
JetBlue TrueBlue and United MileagePlus are introducing reciprocal elite perks. We’re talking things like priority check-in, security, and boarding, free checked bag allowances, preferred and extra legroom seats, and same day flight changes.
The experience won’t be quite as seamless or rewarding as it would be when flying directly with the “native” airline, but these are still some pretty strong perks. There’s no mention of first class upgrades or lounge access, at least as of now.
JetBlue & United will trade slots at JFK, EWR
As we know, one of United’s big incentives for wanting to partner with JetBlue is access to JFK, which United CEO Scott Kirby views as a key part to the carrier’s success. As part of this agreement:
- JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK for up to seven daily roundtrip flights out of Terminal 6, to begin as early as 2027
- United will provide JetBlue access to eight flight timings at EWR, making this a net neutral exchange, as it’s described
Presumably United wants to launch transcon flights from JFK, but seven daily slots is presumably only the beginning of what United is hoping for.
United will use JetBlue’s Paisly booking platform
As part of this deal, United will move its website and mobile app’s ability to sell hotels, rental cars, cruises, and travel insurance, to new technology and service provided by JetBlue’s Paisly platform. This will apply to both standalone and package bookings.
My take on the JetBlue & United partnership
On the surface, this is a creative yet unconventional partnership. JetBlue and United don’t have much overlap in terms of their networks, and I’d consider them to largely be competitive. So to see them launch a partnership in this way isn’t something you’d traditionally expect to see. That being said, the objectives are clear:
- JetBlue is struggling with profitability, and needs a domestic, global airline partner; we previously saw JetBlue partner with American, but that faced regulatory issues, and then the airlines decided not to pursue a scaled back partnership
- United CEO Scott Kirby is desperate for the airline to return to slot controlled JFK, and he knows that some sort of cooperation with JetBlue is the best way to accomplish that
In the short term, I think JetBlue actually has a fair bit to gain here. United MileagePlus has a much bigger customer base, so the airline can potentially gain quite a few customers who might consider flying with the airline if there are loyalty perks involved. That’s especially true in the New York area. For that matter, JetBlue tickets being bookable on United’s website should be helpful as well.
What’s the upside for United? First of all, I think the phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” comes to mind. We know JetBlue wanted a domestic partnership, and if United didn’t take the partnership, American would’ve figured out some arrangement. United is stronger if American is weaker. Second of all, there’s of course the JFK play.
What I find interesting is that this arrangement only gives United JFK slots as of some point in 2027. Admittedly that’s probably partly due to the timeline of the new Terminal 6 opening. However, on the surface, there’s nothing preventing slots from being given up earlier.
But even in 2027, United is only looking at slots for seven daily flights. That’s not a lot at all, and surely United’s JFK ambitions are much bigger than that. I’d also say that it’s funny to see United giving JetBlue flight timings at EWR, since the airline has shrunk their in the past, and I don’t see much upside to JetBlue expanding there.
We know that this is likely only step one of this partnership, and that there’s more to come. If you ask me, the end goal seems clear, which is United just outright acquiring JetBlue. So this just seems like a foot in the door approach, to start to warm everyone up to that concept.
Bottom line
As expected, JetBlue and United are launching a partnership. Initially this will include a loyalty collaboration, allowing members of both airlines to earn and redeem points, and take advantage of elite perks. We’ll also see the two airlines sell tickets on each others’ websites, as part of an interline agreement.
Starting in 2027 and beyond, JetBlue will give United access to some JFK slots, while United will give JetBlue access to some desirable EWR flight timings. I’m looking forward to learning the exact details of this arrangement, and also to see where things go from here…
What do you make of this new Blue Sky partnership?
