United and JetBlue Launch Partnership: ‘Blue Sky’ to Link Loyalty Programs
Photo Credit: The tail fin of a JetBlue Airbus A321LR aircraft. JetBlue Airways
Skift Take
Putting an end to months of industry speculation, United and JetBlue confirm that they’re partnering to link loyalty programs and networks. What could come next?
United Airlines and JetBlue announced Thursday that they are launching a domestic partnership, called "Blue Sky," which will include network and loyalty benefits.
The arrangement will allow customers from both carriers to earn and burn frequent-flier miles on most flights. Customers will also be able to access the benefits of each carriers' loyalty programs such as priority check-in or extra legroom seats.
JetBlue will provide United access to slots at New York JFK for up to seven daily round-trip flights. These will operate from Terminal 6 and start “as early as 2027.”
In what the companies describe as a “net-neutral exchange,” JetBlue and United will trade eight flight timings at Newark.
United and JetBlue will offer flights on each others' websites, but will also continue to publish and market their flights independently, as part of their interline agreement.
