United and JetBlue: New partnership revolutionizes flying!

United and JetBlue: New partnership revolutionizes flying!

United Airlines and JetBlue have announced a significant partnership that brings numerous benefits to frequent flyers of both airlines. The partnership was announced on May 29, 2025 and provides for a new interline agreement and slot sharing at key New York JFK and Newark airports. This cooperation could be seen as a test for a future merger between the two airlines, which aviation experts interpret as a possible next step towards close cooperation.

The announcement comes amid speculation of an impending major partnership from JetBlue, which had previously indicated it was close to such a move. Notably, United reported in an SEC filing that there are currently no discussions regarding a “strategic transaction” with JetBlue. Nevertheless, it is expected that the new terms of the partnership could at least set the stage for a future acquisition or investment by United in JetBlue.

Benefits for frequent flyers

A key feature of the partnership is the provision of reciprocal benefits to frequent flyers. Members of United's MileagePlus program can now earn and redeem miles on JetBlue flights, while JetBlue TrueBlue members can do the same on United flights. In addition, frequent flyers with elite status should receive advantages with the other airline, which, however, are not identical to the advantages of their own airline. These innovations could increase the attractiveness of both programs for frequent travelers.

Another advantage of the partnership is the ability to search and book flights from both airlines directly on the websites. United also plans to move its travel booking sites to JetBlue's innovative Paisly platform, which could significantly improve the booking process for customers.

Slot sharing and operating conditions

United Airlines will also acquire six daily slots from JetBlue at Terminal 6 at New York JFK. In addition, both airlines have agreed to swap eight takeoff and landing windows at Newark Liberty International Airport, subject to approval by relevant regulatory authorities. These measures are expected to come into force from 2027.

The partnership program, called “Blue Sky,” aims to circumvent regulatory hurdles that JetBlue previously encountered when working with American Airlines. Despite this extensive cooperation, it is noteworthy that both airlines continue to sell and market their flights independently, without entering into codeshare agreements.

The planned collaboration could not only strengthen the competition between the two airlines, but also significantly improve their position in the rapidly changing airline market. With these developments, it remains to be seen whether the speculation surrounding a future merger between JetBlue and United will actually come true.

The Interline Ticketing Agreements (ITAs), which link airlines to each other in terms of their ticketing arrangements, may also play a role in this context. The inclusion of the relevant ITA table and associated processes could encourage further collaborations in the industry, with details of this being accessible by entering specific codes on platforms such as Amadeus, for example to display combinations of airlines.

It remains exciting to see how this partnership will develop and what impact it could have on passengers' travel behavior. For further information on the technical aspects of the interline agreements, please refer to the information provided by Amadeus here.

For more on the United Airlines and JetBlue partnership, check out the detailed coverage on DMM Travel here read up.