In This Article:
Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto via Getty Images
JetBlue Airways and United Airlines will allow reciprocal points opportunities and rewards perks.JetBlue Airways (JBLU) and United Airlines (UAL) on Thursday announced a new collaboration called "Blue Sky" that will allow for reciprocal loyalty program benefits like priority boarding and complimentary access to preferred seats.
Late last month, Reuters reported that the carriers were in negotiations for a partnership deal. The report came hours after JetBlue President Marty St. George said the pair were "getting very close to making an announcement" during the company's first-quarter earnings call, according to a transcript provided by AlphaSense.
United and JetBlue will "offer flights on one another's website and app to make booking simple and easy," the carriers said. JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK International Airport—something long desired by United CEO Scott Kirby—"for up to seven daily round-trip flights beginning in 2027." Meanwhile, the airlines "will exchange eight flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport," one of United's hubs.
JetBlue had been seeking to join up with another airline since 2023, when a judge agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice that the airline needed to end its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines (AAL) because it would lead to higher prices for consumers. It subsequently tried to merge with Spirit Airlines, but they called off the deal last year after regulators ruled it was anticompetitive.
JetBlue shares were down nearly 3% in recent trading and have lost roughly 35% of their value this year. United shares were up almost 2% but are down nearly 20% in 2025.
Read the original article on Investopedia