Blue Sky is name for collaboration that enables earnings points at both carriers

JetBlue and United Airlines announced Blue Sky, a collaboration that gives customers of both airlines even more options to find flights that fit their plans as well as new opportunities to earn and use MileagePlus miles and TrueBlue points across both airlines.

Blue Sky includes the following components, with some starting as early as this fall, subject to regulatory review:

• United’s MileagePlus customers can earn and use miles on most JetBlue flights. JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can earn and use points for flights on United’s extensive domestic and international network.
• Each airline will offer flights on one another’s website and app to make booking across the two airlines’ complementary networks simple and easy. Blue Sky includes an interline agreement, not a codeshare, meaning each airline will continue to publish and market flights independently under its own brand and flight numbers.
• The benefits of each airline’s loyalty program – priority boarding, complimentary access to preferred and extra legroom seats and same-day standby/switch – will be available when customers travel on the other airline’s aircraft.
• As part of the airlines’ agreement, JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK International Airport for up to seven daily round-trip flights out of JFK Terminal 6 to begin as early as 2027. And, as part of a net-neutral exchange, JetBlue and United will exchange eight flight timings at Newark.
• United will move its website and mobile app’s ability to sell hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel insurance, on both a stand-alone and package basis, to new technology and services provided by JetBlue’s Paisly platform.

Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, said “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. ” United’s global reach, she said, perfectly complements JetBlue’s East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling. “

United CEO Scott Kirby said Blue Sky “reflects our airlines’ shared focus on innovation and the customer experience.,” Plus, he said, “our employees are really excited about United’s return to JFK for the longer term and we’re all looking forward to starting up flights very soon.”

JetBlue and United will continue to manage and price their networks independently, including the launch of new routes, frequencies and promotions.