JetBlue and United Airlines have announced a new partnership called Blue Sky, which links their loyalty programs and expands mutual access at key New York-area airports. This strategic move gives both carriers a stronger foothold at JFKand Newark Liberty International, and offers passengers broader benefits—especially frequent flyers.
Beginning this fall, United MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, and JetBlue TrueBlue members will gain the same flexibility on United’s domestic and international routes. In addition to shared earning and redemption, perks like priority boarding and preferred seating will apply across both airlines.
Unlike a codeshare, the partnership is an interline agreement, meaning each airline will continue operating and marketing its own flights independently, but they will appear on each other’s websites and apps. The carriers also confirmed plans to extend parts of their corporate travel programs to flights operated by the other airline—offering more consistency and flexibility for companies with negotiated discounts.
The deal also includes a slot arrangement at JFK Terminal 6, where JetBlue will give United access to operate up to seven round-trip flights per day starting in 2027. At Newark, the airlines will exchange eight flight timings to optimize scheduling.
What This Means for Business Travel
This partnership opens new advantages for companies managing regular travel in and out of the New York metro area:
- More flexibility with loyalty programs: Employees can accrue and redeem points more broadly, helping them reach status faster—without committing to one carrier.
- Improved itinerary options: Access to each airline’s network from both JFK and Newark allows more efficient routing for meetings or last-minute changes.
- Streamlined corporate discounts: Companies with negotiated rates may be able to access those same savings across both networks.
With no full codeshare or merger, the partnership offers expanded benefits without sacrificing brand identity or flexibility—something many corporate travel managers value when building supplier strategies.
Understanding Codeshares: A Brief Guide for Travel Coordinators
While JetBlue and United’s new Blue Sky agreement is an interline partnership (not a codeshare), it’s helpful to understand the distinction.
A codeshare allows one airline to market and sell seats on a flight operated by another airline under its own flight number. This arrangement helps airlines expand their global footprint without operating additional aircraft and offers passengers a more seamless booking and travel experience—especially when it comes to connecting flights and loyalty benefits.
Codeshares began gaining traction in the 1980s as airlines sought more efficient ways to serve long-haul or low-frequency destinations. They remain a fundamental part of airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld.
By contrast, interline agreements—like the one between United and JetBlue—are more limited in scope. They allow airlines to share some operational services (like booking visibility and baggage handling) while maintaining distinct brands, flight numbers, and commercial programs.
For travel coordinators, understanding these arrangements helps clarify how benefits like loyalty accrual, route options, and corporate discounts may or may not transfer between airlines.