• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
Travel & LeisureJetBlue Airways

JetBlue and United just formed a highly unusual partnership. Here’s what that means for you

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 29, 2025, 11:03 AM ET
United Airlines and JetBlue have announced a partnership that will shake things up for flyers.
United Airlines and JetBlue have announced a partnership that will shake things up for flyers. Mario Tama/Getty Images
  • United and JetBlue have announced a Blue Sky partnership. This will let passengers book flights for both carriers on each other’s websites and extend frequent-flyer redemption options. United will also return to JFK International Airport for the first time in 10 years.

On the surface, two airlines striking a partnership is a fairly common event. Code-sharing deals and airline alliances have been in place among several carriers for years. But the partnership announced Thursday by JetBlue and United Airlines is anything but typical.

Recommended Video

The collaboration, called Blue Sky, will see the two airlines offer flights on each other’s websites, let customers comingle their frequent-flyer points, and allow United to return to New York’s JFK airport 10 years after it gave up its slots there.

What the heck is going on—and how does it impact passengers? Here’s what you need to know.

Are JetBlue and United Airlines merging?

No. JetBlue and United will remain separate companies, but are becoming much more closely aligned. JetBlue had hoped to purchase Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion, but was blocked last year by a federal judge, saying it would harm competition. By striking a partnership, neither United nor JetBlue needs to seek the same degree of regulatory approval that they would for a formal merger.

Will this agreement change how I book flights on JetBlue and/or United?

You’ll still be able to book JetBlue flights through JetBlue and United through United, but you’ll also be able to book flights on United routes on JetBlue’s website and app and vice versa. Basically, you’ll have expanded options on both carriers’ websites and apps (much as you do on third-party sites like Google Flights and Expedia).

This partnership is not a code-sharing agreement, however. Each airline will publish and market flights independently under its own brand and flight numbers. Additionally, the two carriers will not coordinate their schedules or share revenue.

What’s the impact on JetBlue’s and United’s frequent-flyer programs?

You’re going to have a lot more options on where you can go. United’s MileagePlus customers will be able to earn and use miles on most JetBlue flights (and JetBlue TrueBlue members can use their points on United flights). That will give United frequent flyers more access from the Northeast to the Caribbean—and JetBlue members will have a slew of international destinations made available to them.

Your perks will remain the same on both airlines. For instance, if you’re a Mosaic 2 member in JetBlue’s frequent-flyer program, you’ll board with group one on United flights (and get priority check-in, same-day changes, and other benefits). Premier Gold members with United will board with Group B on United flights. (See here for a full list of reciprocal benefits.)

Some of the details about how the frequent flyer programs will coexist have yet to be clarified, but JetBlue says “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.”

When will United return to JFK?

United flights are expected to return to JFK International Airport as early as 2027. The carrier left the airport in 2015, saying it was losing money because it did not have a big enough presence to compete with other airlines. United’s CEO (who joined after that decision was made) has said that was a mistake and has been looking for a way back into JFK for several years.

How is United returning to JFK?

It’s basically a schoolyard trade. JetBlue is providing United flights access to its slots at JFK’s Terminal 6 for up to seven daily round-trip flights (destinations are TBD). United, in return, will offer JetBlue eight flights out of Newark, using its slots.

When does this agreement between JetBlue and United go into effect?

Some of the changes this partnership will create are subject to regulatory review, but JetBlue says it expects many to begin as early as this fall—though it didn’t specify which, exactly. Others, like United’s return to JFK, are still a couple of years away.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Travel & Leisure

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Travel & Leisure

Girl doing backflip into the ocean.
Travel & LeisureAir Travel
Your ‘flexible hot girl summer’ is going to cost you
By Catherina GioinoMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
TSA’s new ‘straight to gate’ pilot lets Delta and JetBlue flyers clear security 25 miles before they reach the airport
Travel & LeisureTSA
TSA’s new ‘straight to gate’ pilot lets Delta and JetBlue flyers clear security 25 miles before they reach the airport
By Dave Lozo and Morning BrewMay 19, 2026
4 days ago
The American airline industry is so unreliable that 89% of travelers are bracing for delay or cancellation
Travel & LeisureAir Travel
The American airline industry is so unreliable that 89% of travelers are bracing for delay or cancellation
By Catherina GioinoMay 19, 2026
4 days ago
How Coach became Gen Z’s favorite affordable luxury handbag brand
RetailFortune 500
How Coach became Gen Z’s favorite affordable luxury handbag brand
By Phil WahbaMay 19, 2026
4 days ago
spirit
Travel & LeisureAirline industry
Spirit Airlines apologizes to all the Americans who can’t afford any summer vacation flights as it shuts down
By Rio Yamat and The Associated PressMay 18, 2026
5 days ago
jensen
Travel & LeisureChina
‘It’s so good’: Jensen Huang enjoys Beijing delicacies on trip with Trump
By The Associated PressMay 15, 2026
8 days ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
Success
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
By Emma BurleighMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
AI
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
By Jake AngeloMay 22, 2026
24 hours ago
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
Success
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
4 days ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.