United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have rolled out a new strategic alliance dubbed 'Blue Sky,' focusing on boosting customer connectivity in New York City and integrating their loyalty programs. As part of this collaboration, passengers can now book flights on either airline's website, with the added benefit of cross-earning and spending frequent flyer miles. Reuters noted this move aims to simplify travel for customers by enabling smoother flight booking and loyalty benefits across both carriers.
This partnership will see significant operational changes, notably at New York's JFK and Newark Airports. JetBlue will allot slots to United at JFK, facilitating up to seven daily round-trip flights from 2027, pending regulatory approval. In another development, the airlines agreed to swap eight flight timings at Newark Airport, optimizing operations for JetBlue. Additionally, United will leverage JetBlue’s Paisly platform to enhance travel services effectiveness.
The 'Blue Sky' collaboration comes as JetBlue seeks to expand its network alliances, particularly after a thwarted partnership with American Airlines. For United, this strategy aligns with its objective to bolster its presence within the New York market. Both airlines will continue to operate independently yet offer enriched customer experiences under an interline agreement, according to Reuters.