Update: We asked JetBlue and United for clarification on which routes might be excluded from this partnership.
JetBlue responded that,
“The plan is that all United routes will eventually be open for redemption via JetBlue.”
JetBlue said to reach out to United for comment on which JetBlue routes might be excluded.
United responded that,
“While a few routes will be excluded, most JetBlue flights, including transatlantic flights, will be eligible for accrual, redemption, and benefits. We’ll have more details as we get closer to the program rollout.”
In a move that will surprise nobody who has been paying attention, JetBlue and United are launching a new partnership, called Blue Sky. It will provide reciprocal loyalty benefits and fulfill United’s long-standing desire to get back into JFK.
These benefits will launch later this year:
- United members will be able to earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights. It isn’t yet clear which flights may be excluded from this agreement.
- JetBlue members will be able to earn and redeem miles on all United flights.
- While the airlines won’t codeshare, there will be an interline agreement for each website to sell flights on the other airline and for bags to be checked through on connecting flights between the airlines.
- JetBlue will provide United with up to 7 round-trip slots out of JFK’s Terminal 6 as early as 2027, while United will provide JetBlue with up to 8 flight timings out of Newark.
- United will use JetBlue Paisly technology to power its hotel, rental cars, and vacation packages on United.com and offer customer support.
- JetBlue and United elites will get reciprocal priority check-in, security, and baggage handling on either airline.
- JetBlue and United elites will get 1 free checked bag on either airline.
- JetBlue and United elites will get free access to preferred seats on either airline at the time of booking.
- JetBlue and United elites will get free access to extra legroom seats on either airline at the time of check-in.
- JetBlue and United elites will get free same day confirmed changes and standby on either airline.
- JetBlue Mosaic 1 members will get Group 2 boarding on United, while JetBlue Mosaic 2/3/4 members will get Group 1 boarding on United.
- United Silver members will get Group C boarding on JetBlue, United Gold members will get Group B boarding on JetBlue, while United Platinum and higher members will get Group A boarding on JetBlue.
- The airlines will work to extend corporate benefits and discounts on a reciprocal basis.
The airlines also shared some interesting tidbits about their programs:
- Nearly 60% of NYC and Boston residents have a JetBlue TrueBlue account.
- United members flew on 42 million award flights between 2020 and 2024.
- Over the last year, close to 40,000 seats per day were filled by United members using their miles, enough to fill 128 Boeing 777 aircraft.
- Nearly 2 million United members flew on award tickets over the November/December 2024 holidays.
These moves should benefit members of either airline, and this partnership is unlikely to be blocked by the courts, as was the case with the American-JetBlue Northeast Alliance. That’s despite the fact that JetBlue and United control an even larger portion of the NYC market, and is because this agreement doesn’t include cooperation on codesharing and setting routes and fares.
What will United do with up to 7 round-trip JFK slots? Probably revive flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco, though it’s not enough to really compete in those markets.
Will we eventually see JetBlue join the Star Alliance? Will we see JetBlue and United eventually merge? Only time will tell!
What do you think of the Blue Sky partnership?
HT: Leon F.
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60 Comments On "[Updated With Comments From Both Airlines] JetBlue And United Launch Blue Sky Partnership!"
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If I keep both a Jet Blue and United Explorer MileagePlus card active, would it make sense to now drop one of them as I can get reciprocal benefits from the other?
Only if you’re an elite – because you get free baggage with the card, there’s also award flight discounts / rebates with both cards
It depends how often you fly etc.
Holding the other airline’s credit card won’t get you any benefits.
Is it now better to have the JetBlue CC for elite benefits then the recently downgraded United CCs
Having both airline loyalty cards, which airline points will be more valuable to earn ?
United miles are more valuable.
Jetblue mileage is a flat redemption rate based on the cost. (1.4¢[?] per mile.) That means if a flight costs $140, you will need 10,000 Jetblue miles.
United uses dynamic pricing, so it varies. If you do a bad job, you can get less than 1.0¢ per mile. If you do a good job, you can get 10¢+ per mile of value.
1.3 cents per mile.
How will this affect non-UA Star Gold passengers?
It won’t.
Interesting that there is no ranked benefits for higher levels of elites on either airline besides for early boarding. In a way this keeps the programs from cannibalizing each other.
Yup, makes sense.
I’m assuming that free checked bags and preferred seating will apply to everyone on the reservation? Will we get 70lbs bags like United/B6 all their own elites?
Not holding my breath for any great award pricing here. still good to have options.
What’s with lounge access would my United club allow me to use jet blue lounges
Not part of this deal.
What JetBlue lounges?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/elite-status/jetblue-will-finally-add-lounges-mosaic-benefits-hit-major-downgrades/
https://www.dansdeals.com/credit-cards/jetblue-launches-a-surprisingly-weak-premium-card-is-it-worth-it-anyway/
This is great , you can buy United status through mosaic
Some aspects, but definitely not most aspects.
@Dansdeals If you book a JetBlue flight through United, would you get the PQP and PQF?
When do those benefits start?
Doubt it.
Later this year.
Will the free checked bag benefit with the United CC apply on JetBlue flights as well?
No
Does having a United/JB CC allow for free checked bag etc on other airline, or is that only for elites?
Only elites.
How is the different then the Northeast alliance ?
Touched on that in the post.
This wont last very long.
First it was Ameican and Jetblue and that failed pretty fast.
Wont take long for jetblue to realize its getting overtaken by united
It didn’t fail, the US courts rejected it. This is different, as I wrote in the post.
So I am now Gold on United and lowest level mosaic on jet blue. I have the old United Presidential plus club card and the jet blue credit card. I likely need to choose which elite status to keep for next year?bany suggestions
This will give some, but not all elite benefits on the other airline.
Amy benefits for bags on the other airline with a credit card? Can a UA explorer cardholder get free bag(s) on jet blue?
No
If one has a jet blue card with luggage benefit will it work on United flights and vice versa?
No
This feels mildly interesting to the elite members of both airlines’ frequent flyer programs, and a complete snoozer for everyone else. A bit of a shame because the JetBlue/American alliance did inject some real additional competition and flight opportunities into the NYC market This does basically nothing unless you’re super excited to fly United from JFK to California.
I have platinum status with united and basic member with JetBlue although i like to fly them to earn points. If i book JetBlue using my JetBlue number I wont be able to get benefits as a platinum and if i use my united number then i wont earn points on my JetBlue account? if thats true whats the best way to book then?
You’ll have to decide which is more advantageous. I imagine it will be to use your United number.
And yet, United still refuses to fly to Israel.
7 round-trip slots out of JFK’s Terminal 6
terminal 5 or terminal 6?
jetblue flies from terminal 5
T6, which opens next year and will host Lufthansa Group. It will be connected airside to T5.
Can UA TB used to purchase JB flights?
No
Once United resumes TLV flights, any chance for JFK-TLV with one of those slots?
No
Sorry for doubling up on the above post. I didn’t notice it as I posted my comment at the top of the page. Is that an assumption, or is that based on fact?
Can JetBlue points be used for seat upgrades on United?
I think the best aspect is that you can now book United flights using Amex and Capital One points with less workarounds!
this sounds like it will only benefit elites from the other airline. as using AC or LM for united will prob be more valuable…
dose Jb have award charts?
what about 2nd bag for UA elites is that reciprocal?
JB is straight value redemption @ 1.3¢ per mile.
My friend and I were wondering if United is eyeing a possible JFK-TLV flight as one of their slots in JFK T6…would they replace an EWR-TLV flight with one from JFK instead? That would be interesting…in the meantime United has yet to resume service between EWR and TLV….
So if (Mossaic 2) we get 2 free 70 lb bags – would we get that with united?
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/news/airline-news/jetblue-and-united-launch-blue-sky-partnership/#comment-1778501
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/news/airline-news/jetblue-and-united-launch-blue-sky-partnership/#comment-1778502
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/news/airline-news/jetblue-and-united-launch-blue-sky-partnership/#comment-1778507
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/news/airline-news/jetblue-and-united-launch-blue-sky-partnership/#comment-1778510
Also: JetBlue and United elites will get 1 free checked bag on either airline.
Will it make easier for United elite members to get elal flights and earn status on United through JetBlue?
We have tix on Jetblue SMF-BOS RT in late June. Should we exchange our JetBlue FF numbers for our United? Check which has higher mile balance or just better to go United?
I doubt this will launch on time, but stay tuned and follow us for updates.
If one has Mosaic 2/3/4 can they book a Newark United flight to Israel and get free extra legroom and a free checked bag for each person in party?
If I paid $40 for the frontier status, what route is still available to match to jetblue so that I can eventually have reciprocal status with United?