United and JetBlue Cleared to Launch ‘Blue Sky’ Alliance
The DOT-approved Blue Sky partnership launches this fall, linking loyalty programs, booking platforms, and benefits for travelers
United Airlines and JetBlue have been given the go-ahead to form a new partnership after the plans for their ‘Blue Sky’ collaboration were approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Under the Blue Sky partnership, customers of either airline will be able to earn and redeem their frequent flyer points with the other carrier, and vice versa, among other benefits.
Photo: Courtesy of United
The joint loyalty scheme was first announced in late May, and it has now been cleared to proceed following the DOT’s review of the matter, which found no reason to block it on antitrust grounds.
What to Expect?
It is expected to be launched in phases beginning this fall. Once rolled out, passengers of both airlines can expect the following changes.
United’s MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, while JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can do the same on United flights.
Photo: Courtesy of United
Secondly, loyalty program benefits such as priority boarding, free checked baggage, access to preferred and extra legroom seats, and same-day flight standby/switches will be able to be used on either airline’s flights.
Moreover, each airline’s flights will be available for booking on the others’ websites through an interline agreement, allowing for simple multi-trip bookings.
With Blue Sky, United will gain up to seven of JetBlue’s daily slots at JFK Terminal 6 from 2027, while both airlines will exchange flight schedules at Newark (EWR).
Photo: Newark Liberty International Airport. Courtesy of Chris Leipelt / Unsplash
Likewise, United will use JetBlue’s Paisly platform to enable its website and mobile app to sell hotels, car rentals, cruises, and travel insurance.
C-Suite Satisfaction
“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,” said Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue.
She further highlighted that this alliance enhances options for TrueBlue members, making travel more rewarding, as it “significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling.”
Photo: Courtesy of Airbus
Scott Kirby, CEO of United, echoed this sentiment, stating: “Blue Sky reflects our airlines’ shared focus on innovation and the customer experience.” He praised JetBlue’s commitment to excellence, noting that “the JetBlue brand is tied to a great product, and under Joanna’s leadership, the airline continues to deliver for customers.”
Kirby also expressed excitement for MileagePlus members, sharing that this collaboration opens up “new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule.” He added, “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.”
This partnership not only promises enhanced travel experiences but also underlines a shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction in the airline industry.
