What to know about United Airlines and JetBlue’s new partnership

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United Airlines and JetBlue announced a partnership called Blue Sky that will allow reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
Customers will be able to earn and spend miles in either airline’s loyalty program on most flights.
Elite status members will receive priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, preferred seating, free checked bags and same-day flight changes on both airlines.

United Airlines and JetBlue announced a new partnership Thursday that will allow passengers to earn and spend frequent flyer miles between the airlines. The arrangement, which the airlines are calling Blue Sky (no relation to the similarly-named startup social media platform) will eventually allow each carrier’s elite frequent flyers to receive reciprocal benefits and will bring with it other business perks for both companies.

The deal is still subject to regulatory review, but the airlines anticipate implementation of the partnership will begin this fall.

“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,” Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, said in a statement. “United’s global reach 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.”

Here’s what customers of both airlines need to know about how the partnership will work.

Earning miles on both airlines

According to a joint statement from United and JetBlue, passengers will be able to earn and spend miles in either loyalty program on most flights from either airline.

“Members of each airline’s loyalty program will find similar benefits over time – as well as reciprocal revenue-based miles and points accrual and reciprocal miles and points redemption – when they use and earn miles or points on the partner airline,” the statement said.

Frequent flyers will note that the earnings on the other airline are revenue-based and not distance-based.

United and JetBlue will also offer each others’ flights for sale on their websites.

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Eventually United and JetBlue will have reciprocal benefits for elite frequent flyers. Although the exact start date for those perks has not yet been announced, here’s what frequent flyers with status can expect across both airlines:

Priority treatment for check-in, boarding, security and baggage
Access to preferred and extra leg room seats
Free first checked bag
Same-day changes and switches

Other partnership plans

In addition to perks for flyers, the airlines have agreed to some cooperation on the business side as well. JetBlue will give United slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for up to seven daily round-trip flights starting in 2027.

United and JetBlue will also swap some flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport, and United will move to JetBlue’s Paisly platform for sales of some non-flight products including cruises, hotels, rental cars and travel insurance.

“Blue Sky reflects our airlines’ shared focus on innovation and the customer experience,” United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. “We’re always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule. Plus, 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.”

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

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