United Airlines has announced a partnership with JetBlue, marking its return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This collaboration, named Blue Sky, differs from the previous Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue.
The agreement involves JetBlue transferring slots at JFK to United Airlines, while JetBlue will receive flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in exchange. The arrangement offers reciprocal benefits for MileagePlus and TrueBlue members, including earning and using miles on flights across both networks. Notably, this partnership includes an interline agreement rather than a codeshare.
Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, described the partnership as "a bold step for the industry," emphasizing the increased choices it provides travelers. She noted that United’s global reach complements JetBlue’s East Coast network. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, highlighted the focus on innovation and customer experience: “The JetBlue brand is tied to a great product... We're always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits.”