Big News: JetBlue and United Link Loyalty Programs, United Will Return to JFK

The rumours were true, JetBlue and United are forming an alliance.

Thanks to a game-changing partnership between the airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines frequent flyers will soon be able to redeem and earn miles plus enjoy reciprocal elite status benefits when flying the other airline.

“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 at JetBlue.

After a headline-grabbing breakdown in its relationship with American Airlines, it was only a matter of time before JetBlue got cozy with another of the Big 3 U.S. airlines.

Here’s everything we know about this new alliance and what this could lead to in the future.

JetBlue and United’s Formidable New Alliance

The deal we thought was being negotiated has just been finalized. We knew JetBlue was looking for a new partnership after the end of its link-up with American Airlines, and we knew United wanted access to JFK airport.

Whether you’re a United MileagePlus or a JetBlue TrueBlue member, you’ll soon be able to earn and redeem points with the other airline.

A United Airlines press release mentions that this will be possible for its MileagePlus members on most JetBlue flights.

“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,” said Scott Kirby, CEO at United.

The partnership will open up an exciting new world of travel opportunities for members of both frequent flyer programs. United MileagePlus members will be able to use their MileagePlus miles for flights on JetBlue’s extensive network of routes to popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean and Florida.

Perhaps the biggest winners are members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue program. Members will be able to use their miles to access United’s huge international route network that reaches all corners of the globe.

We’ll have to wait until the partnership goes live to update you on the pricing of these new redemption possibilities.

As the Blue Sky initiative rolls out, passengers will also enjoy reciprocal elite status benefits when flying the other airline. For example, United MileagePlus elite status holders will benefit from priority boarding and check-in, the ability to make same-day flight changes, and the preselection of priority seating free of charge.

No mention is made about reciprocal lounge access, presumably because JetBlue doesn’t yet have its own lounges or provide its business class or elite status holders with any form of lounge access. This could change once JetBlue opens its first lounges at Boston (BOS) and JFK, hopefully before the end of the year. The timeline for the new reciprocal benefits will be revealed later this year.

Travelers will also be able to book flights for both JetBlue and United via the website or app of the other airline. As the relationship is an interline agreement — rather than a codeshare — JetBlue flights would not operate under a United Airlines flight number, and vice versa. Both airlines will also continue to operate completely separately when it comes to the pricing of fares, new routes, and promotions.

Finally, beginning in 2027, JetBlue will grant United slot access for up to 7 daily departures at JFK. This is a tactical move for United, as it affords the airline access to JFK — an airport dominated by American, Delta, and, of course, JetBlue. To balance out the books, JetBlue and United will also share 8 flight times at Newark.

United has also moved hotel, car, cruise, and travel insurance bookings to Paisly by JetBlue.

What Could This Mean For the Future of JetBlue?

A lot of (mostly positive) change has happened at JetBlue over the last few years.

The ambitious airline spread its wings and successfully launched transatlantic flights to Amsterdam (AMS), Dublin (DUB), Edinburgh (EDI), London (LHR and LGW), Madrid (MAD), and Paris (CDG).

It overhauled its loyalty program in ways that actually benefited its loyalty flyers.

And, more recently, the carrier finally confirmed plans to open lounges at its hubs at Boston and JFK.

With today’s news of a partnership with United — a founding member of Star Alliance — this could also indicate JetBlue’s first step to becoming a member of an airline alliance for the first time.

Of course, it is entirely possible for airlines to form partnerships without joining an alliance. However, given JetBlue’s reputation for making bold moves, we wouldn’t be surprised if joining Star Alliance was in the airline’s future plans.

Final Thoughts

The ever-changing airline industry is set to get another shakeup with this new partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines.

Reciprocal elite perks and the ability to earn and burn miles on flights with the other airline could be just the start of a bigger relationship between the 2 airlines.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn of more developments.