United, JetBlue Unveil Blue Sky Partnership with Cross-Airline Perks. Deal Allows United to Return to JFK

United’s former terminal at JFK

United Airlines and JetBlue Airways announced the debut of Blue Sky, a partnership between the two that allows for reciprocal travel benefits.

Members of either airline’s frequent-flyer program – i.e. United MileagePlus and TrueBlue – will be able to earn and use miles and points on either carrier.

JetBlue exited a similar partnership with American Airlines in July 2023 in a bid to save its ultimately unsuccessful acquisition of Spirit Airlines.

“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 of JetBlue. “

Benefits from one airline’s customer-loyalty program will accrue to the traveler when flying on the partner carrier. This includes priority boarding, complimentary access to preferred and extra legroom seats as well as to same-day standby. The airlines will offer their flights on one another’s websites and apps, as well.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval, and the two airlines anticipate being able to launch  the partnership this fall. The new partnership is not related to or affiliated with the similarly named social-media startup, Bluesky.

As part of the agreement, JetBlue will give United slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for up to seven daily round-trip flights starting in 2027.

“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 United CEO Scott Kirby in a statement.

The slots JetBlue will make available to United will not mark the first time the Chicago-based carrier would operate out of JFK. The Chicago-based carrier operated service from JFK for decades until it terminated  service in 2015, moving its premium transcon flights to its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

After a five-year absence and at least three delays in its return, United Airlines restarted operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport at the end of March 2021.

“I have been waiting a long time to say this – United Airlines is back at JFK,” Kirby said several months before that. Several years ago, after joining United as president, he had said that leaving JFK had been a mistake for the carrier.

United, however, only remained at JFK until late 2022.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)