JetBlue and United ‘Blue Sky’ Partnership Gets Go-Ahead From DOT

Updated: August 16, 2025, 3:45pm CDT

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JetBlue and United’s Formidable New Alliance
What Could This Mean For the Future of JetBlue?
Final Thoughts

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The “will they, won’t they” regarding JetBlue and United’s Blue Sky is now over.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has given the green light to the alliance between the 2 carriers after a review, and the Blue Sky partnership is set to commence in the coming weeks.

The new partnership will mean JetBlue’s and United Airlines’ frequent flyers will be able to redeem and earn miles plus enjoy reciprocal elite status benefits when flying the other airline.

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

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.

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 point to access United’s huge international route network that reaches all corners of the globe.

We’ll have to wait until the airlines reveal more information on the partnership to know 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.

UAL JBU Chart for shared benefits — Reciprocal benefits coming soon for MileagePlus and TrueBlue frequent flyers. Image Credit: United

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 2025.

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 won’t operate under a United Airlines flight number, and vice versa. Both airlines will also continue to operate 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. JetBlue and United will also share 8 flight times at Newark to balance out the books.

United has also moved hotel, car, cruise, and travel insurance bookings to TrueBlue Travel.

Hot Tip:

Wherever your airline loyalty lies, having a miles-earning credit card in your back pocket is a non-negotiable in the world of points and miles.

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.

Today’s confirmation that the partnership with United — a founding member of Star Alliance — will go ahead could also indicate JetBlue’s initial step toward 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 and that this is simply the foundation for that long-term goal.

Final Thoughts

This new partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines is set to shake up the ever-changing airline industry once again.

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, but the doubts about whether this partnership would get government approval have been answered. The airlines can proceed.