United and JetBlue Alliance Details: What's Known About the Blue Sky Venture
In a significant move for the aviation industry, JetBlue and United Airlines have announced a new partnership dubbed 'Blue Sky'. The collaboration, approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation in late July 2025, is set to roll out in phases starting this fall 15.
Loyalty Program Integration
The partnership aims to offer a more flexible earning and redemption of miles and points for frequent fliers. United’s MileagePlus members can now earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, and JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can do the same on United flights across its extensive domestic and international network 15. This reciprocal loyalty benefit eliminates transfer fees and gives frequent flyers more opportunities to use and earn miles without restrictions.
Frequent Flyer Benefits
The collaboration extends to shared loyalty perks such as priority boarding on each other's flights. As the partnership matures, frequent travelers can expect additional elite perks and status match opportunities 1.
Expanded Flight Options
The airlines will share access to slots at JFK and Newark airports in the New York area. United will have up to seven round-trip flights out of JFK starting in 2027, and JetBlue will have access to United’s slots at Newark Liberty International Airport, allowing for up to eight round-trip flights out of the New Jersey airport 1.
Booking Integration
United’s booking system will merge with JetBlue’s Paisly platform to create a hybrid portal, simplifying trip planning and booking across both airlines 3.
Timeline
Regulatory review was completed by July 29, 2025, with phased customer benefit rollouts starting in fall 2025. United’s JFK flights under the partnership are targeted for launch from 2027 onward 15.
Remaining Questions
The exact details on how MileagePlus and TrueBlue points will be earned and managed are still to be announced by the airlines. Additionally, no current information confirms reciprocal lounge access between the two; this remains to be clarified 3.
Despite Spirit Airlines' concerns about competition and public interest, the DOT gave JetBlue and United the go-ahead to roll out this deal 4. Business travelers may be able to enjoy the same terms (including any discounts) of a corporate program negotiated with one airline on flights operated by the other airline.
In summary, the Blue Sky partnership offers frequent flyers enhanced mile earning and redemption flexibility, improved elite benefits, new flight options through slot sharing at key New York airports, and a streamlined booking experience. These benefits begin rolling out this fall, with full operational changes such as the JFK slot usage planned for 2027 15.
- In the combined loyalty program of JetBlue's TrueBlue and United's MileagePlus, travelers can now use and earn miles without restrictions, even on flights outside their original network.
- With the Blue Sky partnership, a defi-savvy traveler could potentially fund a trip by earning miles on their respective 'Blue' airline, and store them securely in a compatible wallet for future redemption.
