Blue Sky Takes Off: JetBlue and United Join Forces in a Groundbreaking Loyalty Partnership
- Helena
- May 31
- 5 min read
JetBlue and United Airlines have just unveiled “Blue Sky,” a new kind of airline collaboration designed to give travellers more freedom, flexibility, and rewards than ever before. From earning points across networks, to easier booking, and even shared customer perks, this is more than just an industry shake-up, it's a customer-first revolution that spans continents and loyalty programmes.
Announced on 29 May 2025, this partnership links JetBlue’s TrueBlue programme with United’s MileagePlus, offering reciprocal earning and redemption opportunities, shared benefits, streamlined booking, and even strategic slot and tech integrations that go well beyond the usual codeshare arrangements.
Let’s dive into the full breakdown of this exciting new travel chapter.
Blue Sky Takes Off: JetBlue and United Join Forces
Under the Blue Sky initiative, starting as early as this autumn (subject to regulatory review) United MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem miles on JetBlue flights, including its 90+ daily summer departures between the Northeast and Caribbean. Destinations include Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, and more.
Meanwhile, TrueBlue members will unlock access to United’s vast global network, which includes flights to:
165 U.S. cities
8 in Canada
2 in the Caribbean
31 in Latin America
27 in Europe
5 in Africa
2 in the Middle East
15 in Asia
14 across the South Pacific—including bucket-list destinations like Cape Town and Tahiti
Fly JetBlue or United, Book Anywhere
To make the experience seamless customers will be able to book flights on either airline’s website or app, simplifying the booking process across the two networks.
This integration is enabled by an interline agreement, not a codeshare - each airline will retain its own flight numbers and branding but will collaborate behind the scenes to give travellers a more fluid experience.
Shared Loyalty Programme Perks
Loyalty travellers rejoice, when flying on either airline, customers will eventually gain access to the core benefits of their own loyalty status, including:
Priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling
Complimentary access to preferred seating and extra legroom seats
Free first checked bag
Same-day flight changes and standby
These benefits will roll out later in 2025, with exact timings to be announced. JetBlue does not operate any lounges for its premium passengers, so this will explain that omission from the reciprocal benefits.
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Strategic Slot Access and Route Realignment
This isn’t just a loyalty integration, it’s a major network shift. At present JetBlue operate from both Newark and JFK in New York, whilst United operate exclusively from Newark. Until 2015 United did operate from both airports but gave up its slots at JFK to focus on Newark. But with this new agreement JetBlue will grant United access to slots at JFK International Airport, allowing up to seven daily round-trip flights from Terminal 6, beginning in 2027. Terminal 6 in currently under construction, replacing JetBlue's current home at JFK, Terminal 5. Whilst at Newark Liberty International Airport, JetBlue and United will exchange eight flight timings, part of a net-neutral swap aimed at optimising travel times for customers of both carriers.
United Adopts JetBlue’s Paisly Platform for Leisure Travel
In a significant tech collaboration, United will transition its hotel, rental car, cruise, and travel insurance booking functionality on united.com and the mobile app, to JetBlue’s Paisly platform.
Paisly, developed entirely in-house by JetBlue, takes a human-first approach to travel support, with features like:
Curated travel options
Integrated loyalty earning and redemption
“Helpful Humans” – a standout, real-time customer support team
Highly personalised offers and messaging
This move replaces United Hotels, United Cars, United Cruises, and United Packages with a single streamlined experience, offering travellers both efficiency and the chance to earn rewards with ease.
Benefits for Business Travellers and Corporate Clients
While both airlines will continue managing their commercial agreements independently, corporate clients can expect extended discount programmes across partner-operated flights. As well as potential alignment of corporate perks and travel benefits on either carrier’s network.
Kinective Media: A New Era of In-Flight Engagement
JetBlue is set to become the first airline partner to deploy United’s Kinective MediaSM platform, the world’s first traveller media network. This tech platform connects travel data with real-time, personalised advertising across digital surfaces, including:
JetBlue's digital channels
Travel apps
Email and other marketing touchpoints
Kinective partners with premium brands in luxury goods, retail, finance, automotive, media, and travel, delivering relevant offers during and beyond the journey.
Loyalty Programmes: A Deeper Dive into Benefits
JetBlue TrueBlue – Loyalty with Heart
JetBlue’s award-winning loyalty programme remains a favourite, especially in its Northeast strongholds. Highlights include:
Free to join, points never expire (Sam has some from 2013 just sitting there waiting)
No blackout dates, every seat is available for points, even Mint (JetBlue's flagship business class)
Points pooling; friends and family can share rewards
Perks You Pick, unlock benefits after just a few flights
JetBlue also serves 15 destinations not covered by United, such as:
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Cartagena, Colombia
Kingston, Jamaica
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Plus, with 180+ daily flights from JFK and 130 from Boston Logan, plus major operations in Fort Lauderdale, San Juan, Orlando, and LAX, JetBlue delivers unmatched regional coverage.
United MileagePlus – A Global Giant
MileagePlus was recently rated the world’s best airline loyalty programme, here are a few reasons why:
Free to join
Miles never expire
No blackout dates for reward seats
Miles can be used for everything, Wi-Fi, snacks, upgrades, and more
Miles pooling with family/friends
In 2024, United launched a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink internet onboard—a fleet-wide rollout delivering high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi in the air.
From 2020 to 2024, MileagePlus members took over 42 million reward flights
In the past year alone, nearly 40,000 United seats per day were redeemed with miles - equivalent to 128 full Boeing 777s daily
During the 2024 holiday season, two million award tickets were issued
Final Thoughts: Why Blue Sky Matters
According to JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty:
“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 travellers and value across our networks... This is a clear win for our customers and crewmembers and supports our JetForward strategy.”
United CEO Scott Kirby added:
“We’re always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value... This collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule. Plus, we’re all looking forward to United’s return to JFK very soon.”
What’s Next?
Blue Sky Takes Off: JetBlue and United Join Forces and will continue managing and pricing their routes independently, but expect a rollout of new reciprocal benefits, route integrations, and travel perks later in 2025 and into 2027.
Whether you're a loyal JetBlue traveller or a globe-trotting MileagePlus member, Blue Sky promises a smoother, more rewarding journey ahead - with more places to go, and more ways to get there.
It is important to note however that all benefits and features are subject to change pending regulatory approval.
Stay tuned for updates from JetBlue and United as Blue Sky continues to expand and evolve. For the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
Helena
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