In the summer of 2020, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways announced a new strategic partnership, which caught most of us off guard. During the six months since the initial announcement, we haven’t heard much more about it, given that the alliance was going through regulatory approval. Well, there’s an update as of today.
In this post:
Basics of the new American & JetBlue partnership
American Airlines and JetBlue Airways have received Department of Transportation (DOT) approval for a new strategic alliance. In order to get this approved, the airlines did have to divest some slots — American had to divest four slot pairs at JFK and four slot pairs at DCA, while JetBlue had to divest three slot pairs at JFK and two slot pairs at DCA.
Now that the partnership is approved, the two airlines state that this is intended to create more connectivity for travelers in the Northeast. It will accelerate both airlines’ recovery as the travel industry adapts to new trends as a result of the pandemic.
This new partnership is pretty comprehensive, and includes new and expanded routes out of Boston and New York, a codeshare agreement, and frequent flyer reciprocity. Here’s the latest of what we’re being told to expect about this new partnership.
New and expanded routes
This partnership will enable new strategic growth opportunities for both American and JetBlue. As a result of this partnership, American Airlines will launch the following two international routes from New York JFK as of the summer of 2021:
- Tel Aviv (TLV) — this will complement American’s Dallas to Tel Aviv route, which is now only expected to launch in September 2021
- Athens (ATH) — this will be a seasonal route
On top of that, American also plans to launch New York to Rio de Janeiro flights as of December 2021.
While no specific details have been given, American plans on adding flights from New York to Africa, Europe, India, and South America, once the coronavirus pandemic is over. This is huge, especially given that American Airlines has been shrinking at JFK the past several years, and hasn’t added a long haul route from the airport in over four years.
We should expect most American Airlines growth out of JFK to be long haul, while JetBlue focuses on providing the feed for these flights, including adding new routes.
American will launch a New York to Tel Aviv flight
A new codeshare agreement
Starting this quarter (by March 31, 2021), American and JetBlue will launch a codeshare agreement, which will cover more than 60 routes operated by American and more than 130 routes operated by JetBlue.
It’s expected that this will include a majority of the routes operated by both airlines out of Boston (BOS), New York Kennedy (JFK), New York LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR). This also means that flights touching Boston and New York on either airline (or a combination of both) will be bookable on aa.com and jetblue.com in the coming weeks.
American & JetBlue will launch a codeshare agreement
Network alignment in the Northeast
American and JetBlue tout that this alliance will offer customers the largest network in Boston and New York, and it will enable growth opportunities for both airlines. In addition to the above, we can expect:
- By the first half of 2021, American and JetBlue schedules in Boston and New York will be aligned and optimized, to improve schedules and connections
- By the end of 2021, American will upgauge aircraft and stop flying 50-seat regional jets to Boston and New York (these planes don’t feature first class)
American will fly bigger jets to the Northeast
New loyalty reciprocity
Later this year, American AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue members can expect new benefits and reciprocity. We’re told that the airlines are exploring opportunities to provide reciprocal mileage earning and redemption, as well as opportunities to recognize JetBlue Mosaic and American AAdvantage elite members across both airlines.
It remains to be seen:
- To what extent reciprocal mileage redemptions will be allowed — will redemptions be allowed across both carriers’ networks, and will the pricing follow a zone-based or revenue-based system?
- To what extent there will be reciprocal mileage earning opportunities — will these opportunities exist across both airlines’ networks, or only routes routes where there’s cooperation?
- To what extent reciprocal elite benefits will be offered — are we talking priority check-in and boarding, or could we see more?
Note that JetBlue isn’t joining the oneworld alliance, and when JetBlue starts flying to London, the airline won’t be part of the oneworld transatlantic joint venture.
What kind of loyalty program reciprocity could we see?
More premium transcon cooperation
While it’s not being mentioned with the latest update, we have been told that there will be cooperation between the two airlines in premium transcon markets. Historically American and JetBlue have competed fiercely in the premium transcon market, as both airlines fly from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco:
- JetBlue offers its incredible Mint product on the A321
- American offers its special A321T product, featuring first and business class (though for the time being American has been partly flying 777s on these routes)
American’s A321T first class
The codeshare agreement is expected to include these premium transcon routes, and the airlines are even exploring new premium experiences for customers.
I’m curious to see how this is executed in practice. Personally I think JetBlue’s “Mint Suite” on the A321 is better than American’s three cabin first class product, so if I could fly JetBlue on an American itinerary or while crediting miles to American, that would be incredible.
JetBlue’s A321 Mint
Also, could we finally see JetBlue Mint passengers getting lounge access? The airlines are both in Terminal 5 at LAX so it could happen there, while they’re not in the same terminals at JFK. Could it be that JetBlue moves premium transcon flights to Terminal 8 at JFK for lounge access? Perhaps it’s farfetched, but it’s not out of the question, as I see it…
American’s Flagship First Dining JFK
How does this play into American’s overall strategy?
One thing is for sure — American Airlines sure has changed stuff up in the past year. For years American management seemed to be asleep at the wheel, but that most definitely hasn’t been the case in the past year, as that trend has been reversed:
- American Airlines and Qatar Airways announced a strategic partnership, and it has even been stated that American may fly to Doha
- American Airlines and Alaska Airlines expanded their partnership, and Alaska plans to join oneworld; the two airlines intend to introduce reciprocal upgrades soon
- American Airlines is adding long haul flights out of Seattle, so far to Bangalore, London, and Shanghai
- Now American Airlines is adding long haul flights out of JFK, thanks to a new partnership with JetBlue
The thing that stands out here most is that American is really going after Delta. American is adding long haul flights out of both New York and Seattle, which have historically been Delta hubs. Meanwhile American is retreating at LAX, a market where the airline has grown so much in recent years.
For so long Delta has been in the driver’s seat in the US airline industry, so to see American go on the offense against Delta is pretty remarkable.
I commend American for trying to get creative, though I do think this is all a big gamble, and we’ll see if it pays off:
- On the one hand, individually a lot of these partnerships make sense, at least from the viewpoint of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”
- On the other hand, the partnerships seem all over the place; American will be partnering with both Alaska and JetBlue on domestic flights, while neither Delta nor United partner with any other major US airlines
There’s some irony to American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, relying on two other US airlines to provide feed for its international network.
American Airlines & Qatar Airways also have a new strategic partnership
Bottom line
The new partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue Airways has received DOT approval, and will be launching in the coming weeks. With this, we can expect extensive codesharing in the Northeast, new long haul flights on American, and frequent flyer reciprocity.
It’s fantastic to see American reversing the previous trend of shrinking in New York. I’ll be curious to see how American’s strategy of partnering with JetBlue in the Northeast and partnering with Alaska in the Northwest works out.
What do you make of the new American & JetBlue partnership?
i recently completed a JFK-LHR roundtrip flight with Jet Blue, Mint Class.. I was bale to enter my AA number during the booking process, but it turns out that apparently the transcontinental flights currently do not qualify for AA miles and EQM - unforunately it isnt really mentioned anywhere on these travel blogs, and you have dig deep on AA.com to find this.
I'm quite upset about it, as it will now mean that i...
i recently completed a JFK-LHR roundtrip flight with Jet Blue, Mint Class.. I was bale to enter my AA number during the booking process, but it turns out that apparently the transcontinental flights currently do not qualify for AA miles and EQM - unforunately it isnt really mentioned anywhere on these travel blogs, and you have dig deep on AA.com to find this.
I'm quite upset about it, as it will now mean that i most likely can not qualify for Exec platinum given my current travel and spending (new AAdvantgae system for 2022) outlook.
wondering if anybody else has had this experience..?
Since Jetblue isn't joining one world, I am assuming that means there will be no way to combined points from Jetblue and AA to book a ticket on a One world partner?
@Lucky - Is there any news about how connecting between T5 & T8 is going to work at JFK? Will there be a bus, or some other mechanism that would allow a passenger to connect without having to go through security, again?
I wonder how AA and B6 will sort out their overlap on:
— flights from the northeast to south Florida
— flights from south Florida to the west coast
— flights from south Florida to Latin America
The big loser in this deal will be PHL.
I wonder whether AA's aggression is a retaliation to DL for taking LATAM from AA in 2019. I would if I were AA...
I don't want AA and Alaska merging at all, codeshare yes, merger NO! AA will bleed it dry and raise the fares. Not interested at all. It's nice to have an alternate. I wish Alaska flew from DFW to JFK or LGA like they used to. Had that happened I would have completely dropped AA altogether.
Will the divested JFK slots allow UA to permanently gain a bigger presence than their planned 4 flights a day?
Perhaps this is simply a replacement for AA connecting Northeast regional passengers through PHL on its own metal for long-haul flights since they recently decided to permanently drop some of those and instead add/reinstate some long-haul flights out of JFK/BOS.
Rather than AA having to operate regional flights with valuable JFK slots (when JetBlue already does this with its own slots) or having to duplicate what Delta and JetBlue both offer at BOS already.
Just a few bits of reality.
AA is outsourcing large portions of its route system and HOPING it can start new international service in markets against its competitors. AA has dropped more international routes than most other carriers operate so it is more than a stretch to think that AA will be successful in just its part of the partnership - international expansion.
it is also worth noting that AA is burning the most cash...
Just a few bits of reality.
AA is outsourcing large portions of its route system and HOPING it can start new international service in markets against its competitors. AA has dropped more international routes than most other carriers operate so it is more than a stretch to think that AA will be successful in just its part of the partnership - international expansion.
it is also worth noting that AA is burning the most cash of any US airline right now and B6 is burning the most cash on a cost normalized basis. Both have been much more weakened in the covid environment than other carriers. There will be significant competitive additions and both AA and B6 are far less capable of remaining competitive than they were before covid.
Linking two weakened airlines does not necessarily make them stronger.
Add in that B6 is competing in markets like PHL to Florida and MIA to LAX and this partnership will cost AA far more than they will gain.
From LGA B6 will gravitate to markets that generate the most revenue (Florida) leaving DL with a higher share in smaller markets which AA and DL jointly served pre-pandemic. The same thing will play out in multiple cities around the country.
DL has the most overlap to all of AA and its partners and they also are in the best position competitively and financially to maintain and grow its position in the top markets covered under this agreement as well as dozens of other markets that have much larger revenue positioned.
At Newark, UA is not ceding its position to AA and B6. Guaranteed.
Does this mean I could fly from Eugene to SFO on American using Jetblue miles?
Bigger is not necessarily better. I wait for the time when service and presentation is stepped up on American.
WOW there's a lot of comments on this thread. Will be interesting to see how this pans out for AA. I think AS and B6 are clear winners with AA taking more of the risk. But the biggest loser here has to be DL. Delta used to be largely uncontested flying international in SEA - now lots of other oneworld carriers fly to SEA, AA is starting, and AS is in oneworld. Really hard to...
WOW there's a lot of comments on this thread. Will be interesting to see how this pans out for AA. I think AS and B6 are clear winners with AA taking more of the risk. But the biggest loser here has to be DL. Delta used to be largely uncontested flying international in SEA - now lots of other oneworld carriers fly to SEA, AA is starting, and AS is in oneworld. Really hard to compete there if you're Delta. Seattle is a big market, but not that big. JFK and BOS may play out the same way although JFK is definitely big enough to support int'l from multiple parties. BOS might be a little trickier for DL, especially with B6 supposedly starting transatlantic service of their own. Find a way to get B6 into oneworld too and that's a juggernaut in the northeast. Although UA will have a little tougher time in EWR, they have to be counting their lucky stars that this onslaught is targeting DL almost exclusively and not them.
This is unfortunate. American is terrible. But JetBlue abandoned Long Beach for LAX and likely abandoned expansion plans at Ontario, so screw em. Cash out and move full time to Delta
I can’t wait for international travel post Covid. Only thing the miles devaluations are gonna be horrendous. Everyone sitting at home sitting on hundreds of thousands of points and miles.
I think AA is very smart in doing this. Partnering on the East Coast with B6 and on the West Coast with AS. There is no way they can't partner with AS because they are joining OW, so like it or not, a partnership is inevitable. In terms of potential mergers, I'd much prefer an AS/B6 merger that creates a national airline as opposed to making AA even bigger than it is. Maybe even add...
I think AA is very smart in doing this. Partnering on the East Coast with B6 and on the West Coast with AS. There is no way they can't partner with AS because they are joining OW, so like it or not, a partnership is inevitable. In terms of potential mergers, I'd much prefer an AS/B6 merger that creates a national airline as opposed to making AA even bigger than it is. Maybe even add HA to the mix. It looks like AA is looking to grow through other airlines' networks as opposed to growing on their own - in this environment, that makes sense. Ultimately, if it comes down to it, I don't see a problem a potential AA/AS merger being approved - same alliance, not much overlap (if any). But adding B6 to the mix can be tricky - of course that will depend on how things look few months from now. HA is also a good merger candidate. Regardless of what happens, everyone partners with them for HI service - it'd be interesting to see if it merges with one of the big 3(4), who will provide inter-island service to the others. And WN can try and take advantage of the situation and try to take out a competitor in the face of Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country but I'd much prefer some of those if not most just to go bankrupt than to continue on in some share or form. Other merger possibilities I don't see likely -1) DL and AA - CLT, ATL, MIA are so close - it makes no sense, then we have ORD and MSP and DTW - same situation. 2) AA and UA - presence at ORD alone makes this a non-starter but adding DFW and IAH to the mix and IAD and DCA makes this impossible. Finally, UA and DL - you have JFK and EWR, again DTW, ORD and MSP, adding SLC and DEN - doesn't make sense. Maybe a big carrier with a smaller one - like AA/AS, DL and HA (don't see a DL/B6 match with the recent B6/AA partnership or the significant presence of both at JFK and BOS). UA and B6 also doesn't seem like a good match - with large presence at both EWR and JFK. But time will tell what will emerge.
@HChris - BA would have signed off on this agreement with AA for sure.
@James S The problem with Continental management running United was the change within the management. During the 1990s and 2000s, Continental was run by Gordon Bethune, then Larry Kellner. Both CEOs had a great runs at Continental. During the tenures of Bethune and Kellner, Continental was actually better than Delta, Northwest, and American, let alone United and US Airways. However, the problem within Continental started on New Years day of 2010, when Kellner stepped down...
@James S The problem with Continental management running United was the change within the management. During the 1990s and 2000s, Continental was run by Gordon Bethune, then Larry Kellner. Both CEOs had a great runs at Continental. During the tenures of Bethune and Kellner, Continental was actually better than Delta, Northwest, and American, let alone United and US Airways. However, the problem within Continental started on New Years day of 2010, when Kellner stepped down and Jeff Smisek took over. Before the United merger even started, Continental flyers already saw changes for the worse in 2010, after Smisek took over. To add insult to injury, Smisek decided to merge with United at a really bad time. Continental was going downhill after Smisek took over and United with the tulip was still in a bad state. Kellner, on the other hand, found it better to not do a risky merger
American and Alaska Partnership at Seattle
American & Jet Blue at New York and Boston
American & British Airways Partnership @ London Heathrow ( The best part Concierge Key & F class can use Concorde room ) and their Concierge Key Rep services!!
American is determined. Works better for me 100 percent. AA will make lots of buisness from this Partnerships for sure . Well done Mr parker
Well, there goes BOS-SYR, BOS-ROC, and BOS-MDT on AA
This seems like a desperate ploy to get this through under the current administration. No way either of these partnerships get approved with a new administration given the drastic reduction in competition on the transcon market.
American sucks. I've had nothing but problems every time I fly with them. Luckily I'm at a skyteam hub anyway, so...
For the first time since when I see something that almost looks like a strategy with AA. Ignore the competitive domestic mess and focus on what´s harder to stand up: International longhaul operations. Heck, at the end of the day AA could even become profitable!
So does this mean I can credit my B6 miles to AA and be able to squeeze out more than 1cent a mile? How would one redeem AA miles on B6 mint? Would it be a fixed amount of points or same as what B6 uses now? So many questions!
@James S - was about to reply, but couldn't say it that better than you did.
I would say CO was really 2.5 hubs (CLE being the 0.5)
I will be blown away if AA/AS and AA/B6 both pass regulatory review. One maybe, but both? Not happening.
"If UA had inherited the Continental Management rather than the other way around they would be a worthy competitor."
United *did* inherit Continental's management... basically lock, stock and barrel. They showed themselves categorically incapable of managing a global carrier at scale, led the airline and its customers through a chaotic 5-6 years of terrible decisions, and finally left in a blaze of federally-investigated corruption.
Pre-merger Continental did a great job running a three-hub operation...
"If UA had inherited the Continental Management rather than the other way around they would be a worthy competitor."
United *did* inherit Continental's management... basically lock, stock and barrel. They showed themselves categorically incapable of managing a global carrier at scale, led the airline and its customers through a chaotic 5-6 years of terrible decisions, and finally left in a blaze of federally-investigated corruption.
Pre-merger Continental did a great job running a three-hub operation in cities where it was dominant, but its leaders were blinkered and parochial in their thinking. Other than looking across the Hudson River periodically from EWR, their management had no idea how to compete. They suddenly found themselves in highly competitive markets (like Chicago, Denver and the Bay Area), tried to execute the same playbook they'd used at Continental, and failed.
The AA-US merger experience was by no means perfect, but it was nowhere near the flaming dumpster that was UA-CO.
@Bobo
"What if … American, Alaska, JetBlue merger?"
I've been thinking about this for a while now, well Alaska/American merger anyway. Not sure if AA could get away with merging with BOTH of these airlines! Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens and probably not all that pretty for the consumer...
I just question Jet Blue's decision on this.
American: Bad company
Jet Blue: Good Company
Hmm... It doesn't seem like UA or DL have made any type of partnerships or announcements yet. It's going to be interesting to see what they will announce and the schedules they will unveil.
I think Alaska Airlines should buy some of American Airlines and JetBlue buy some of American airlines.
Is this perhaps a roundabout way to get access to the codeshare flights between Azul and JetBlue, now that LATAM has bailed out of oneworld?
AA has one of the worst customer experiences, and Jet Blue is one of the better ones. If UA had inherited the Continental Management rather than the other way around they would be a worthy competitor. DL has improved quite a bit compared to AA and UA. Post COVID the question is which one of these groups emerge as a travelers choice, and whether fares go skyrocketing due to consolidation and lack of traveler interest
Very surprised to get this email from AA this morning. This is excellent news for my travel patterns. The partnerships with Alaska and Qatar are useless for me but I understand their value to other AA passengers. AA is certainly making the most of this COVID catastrophe with major strategic realignments. Another great change for me was the T5 move at LHR. AA loyalists could emerge from this crisis with better options. Good job!
Color me surprised as well as delighted. What an incredible year to not be flying but to have a combined 200,000+ miles/points on these two airlines. Where it gets even more exciting is in the Royal Air Maroc having joined OneWorld — imagine flying Mint from West Coast USA to New York then going somewhere fun in Africa first class using miles.
@Roberto
AA is in no position to acquire anyone at this point. I expect them to file BK by the end of the year.
JetBlue would be a likely candidate to swallow them up to be honest, they tried once before.
Total ignorant business question: Could AA technically buy AS or B6 and operate them as separate business units? I see a better fit for AS, as AA has minimal market share in the PNW/Bay Area.
@ Luke,
Thanks for the feedback. I don’t feel like you are “sh*ting” on my post, I enjoy positive and well written responses. Instead of the personal attacks/censorship that I sometimes see.
1. My point was about premium international traffic- not domestically. JFK-LAX between JetBlue and AA is extremely overlapped and you don’t have connecting traffic on those flights. I can’t see AA continuing to offer it in its current capacity.
JetBlue’s product is...
@ Luke,
Thanks for the feedback. I don’t feel like you are “sh*ting” on my post, I enjoy positive and well written responses. Instead of the personal attacks/censorship that I sometimes see.
1. My point was about premium international traffic- not domestically. JFK-LAX between JetBlue and AA is extremely overlapped and you don’t have connecting traffic on those flights. I can’t see AA continuing to offer it in its current capacity.
JetBlue’s product is superior (hard wise).
I know from friends at AA global sales most of the seats in F are HBO contracts and the like- but a majority of the time it’s 6 non revs and 4 revs, while business was sold out (16 booked, 4 upgrades)- this data is from a few years of having access to this info.
However, the business travel landscape is changing dramatically- I expect more use of stuff like Microsoft Teams instead of business travel.
International F is being phased out even by BA- look at modified 772s coming into JFK with the new club world. AA only offers one flight now with F (flight 100)...
2. Those examples are fine but the airline industry is a whole another animal... show me one example of a merger/JV benefiting the customer (fare wise) and I’ll eat my words.
Your two...
Your two points seem contradictory to me. In the first paragraph you mention American have seemingly renewed focus on premium international routing, with which I'd agree. But then in the second paragraph you suggest eliminating Flagship First and ditching the A321T transcon, which might as well be an international service. Those sound like conflicting goals/strategies.
In any case, I don't think it's true that American would eliminate Flagship First. Currently, they're contractually obligated in the TATL joint venture with IAG to provide international first class service. So at the very least, they'd need to renegotiate those terms. The existing Flagship First hard product certainly is getting old, but if anything, I think we can expect a refresh from American in the next year or two.
There's a lot of attention paid to monopolistic corporate practices in our society right now, but it's not necessarily always true that corporate partnerships harm consumers. Corporate partnerships are beneficial to consumers when it wouldn't make sense for either of the corporate partners to provide a product or service on their own. In other words, to use a cliché buzzword, when there's an opportunity for "synergy." Here are a couple examples:
1. Taco Bell & Frito-Lay: "Doritos Locos Tacos"
Frito-Lay would never launch a chain of Mexican fast-food restaurants, and Taco Bell would never introduce a line of flavored snack chips. Together, they can offer a product that consumers apparently enjoy and buy. (I mean, if you're into that kinda thing.)
2. Starbucks & Spotify: "Music Ecosystem" (...their name)
Spotify licenses its service to Starbucks, store managers create & curate playlists, which customers can then stream while at participating locations directly in the Starbucks mobile app. It doesn't make sense for Starbucks to build out a whole music streaming service infrastructure on their own, and Spotify definitely isn't opening a chain of coffee shops.
(Sorry to call out both of your posts at once, by the way. I'm not trying to sh*t on your comments. I actually think they bring up some interesting questions/discussions.)
Am curious to what degree this will allow me to use Jetblue travelbank funds (of which I currently have a lot) on American flights.
If I could get AA Flagship lounge access while flying Mint....wowzas. That would be killer.
Oh boy does this change the game for me. If Mint now gets AA lounge access and can credit to AA, I might just leave DL behind. I will need to see full details, but Delta's tired 763 product on transcon is not difficult to leave behind. Being LAX based, I am also willing to fly into EWR or JFK depending on price, as both are pretty convenient to me.
We will also have to...
Oh boy does this change the game for me. If Mint now gets AA lounge access and can credit to AA, I might just leave DL behind. I will need to see full details, but Delta's tired 763 product on transcon is not difficult to leave behind. Being LAX based, I am also willing to fly into EWR or JFK depending on price, as both are pretty convenient to me.
We will also have to see what happens with AAdvantage, if it gets terrible like Skymiles, I won't know what to do. But right now there is more value in AAdvantage and if it stays that way, I think I'm on my way over.
It's a poison pill on Alaska or Jetblue for other acquirers - get them tangled here to make it harder to integrate with UA or DL
Really hope this doesn't stifle transcon competition that would be bad for fliers
I also must add.... consolidation is never ever good for us the consumers. JetBlue is the reason why we see $600-700 business fares on the trans con.... not no more
I agree too, but post COVID it puts these 3 airlines in a much stronger position than DL or UA. AA/AK/B7 makes for the king of North/SouthAmerican airlines. Add GOL (which will grow given the holes in SA market now) and OneWorld having the stronger airlines, plus interest in China will likely be way down. AA/OneWorld/B7 make one sweet airlines when you combine it all.
What would be a strategic coo would be for...
I agree too, but post COVID it puts these 3 airlines in a much stronger position than DL or UA. AA/AK/B7 makes for the king of North/SouthAmerican airlines. Add GOL (which will grow given the holes in SA market now) and OneWorld having the stronger airlines, plus interest in China will likely be way down. AA/OneWorld/B7 make one sweet airlines when you combine it all.
What would be a strategic coo would be for OneWorld/B7/AA combine their FFP into a single plan, could you image the benefits and strengthens of that! I am impressed with AA's new management, Doug P (IMO) was held back by old thinking from both airlines execs and Kirby. Now Kirby will distroy UA (I see a messy merger with DL at some point) DL has invested poorly and has a week domestic network and AA well, is making moves. Can't wait for the next chapter of this book.
The writing on the wall is clear. With Alaska in Seattle and JetBlue at JFK (and now consolidated operations LGB&LAX)- AA is planning on greatly reducing their domestic foot print and shifting focus on premium international.
I also expect consolidation on overlap routes- the elimination of three cabin 321s, elimination of F on the 77W... I also doubt AS will restore JFK-LAX to the schedule, instead shifting it to EWR
Interestingly, when AA began to shrink their domestic network at JFK in the mid 2000's, they formed an interline agreement with JetBlue to get the feed. Looks like that was terminated back in 2020: https://skift.com/2014/03/10/the-honeymoon-is-over-as-american-airlines-and-jetblue-cancel-interline-partnership/ This is perhaps more thorough than that ever was.
Flew back from SFO to JFK in May and AA had farmed out most of their SFO & LAX flights to Alaska (which has temporarily(?) abandoned their new home and...
Interestingly, when AA began to shrink their domestic network at JFK in the mid 2000's, they formed an interline agreement with JetBlue to get the feed. Looks like that was terminated back in 2020: https://skift.com/2014/03/10/the-honeymoon-is-over-as-american-airlines-and-jetblue-cancel-interline-partnership/ This is perhaps more thorough than that ever was.
Flew back from SFO to JFK in May and AA had farmed out most of their SFO & LAX flights to Alaska (which has temporarily(?) abandoned their new home and lounge in T7 to join American in T8). When I arrived at JFK May 13th, there were just 5 flights on the AA terminal 8 boards: an AS flight to JFK, AS flight to LAX, 2x BA flights to LHR and only actual AA metal flight was one departure to LAX. Used to fly AA out of T8 all the time as a kid when they had seemingly hundreds of daily departures. Was surreal to see that they had just one flight operating out of JFK. Felt as though they had given up (coronavirus aside) though I guess that is not the case.
JFK Transcon market will be odd. AS has a pretty rigorous transcon franchise from JFK as does B6 and AA. If they are all working together, that will be 60+ peak daily departures to SFO/LAX.
I agree with many here. This would have been HUGE news pre-COVID, but now its just 2 airlines looking for a way to survive. Don't get me wrong, its interesting, and as an Exec-Plat I just may use it, but this is for no other reason than BOTH airlines need to shrink, and duplicating efforts wastes money, so they will codeshare for a bit. The interesting question is how long this agreement is for. I would bet no more than 2 years. This is NOT a long term thing.
AA is suddenly positioned pretty well in a slimmed down post-Covid world. They can cut back their domestic network while Alaska and JetBlue feed their long haul operations. American focuses on Miami and the mid-continent hubs where they have less price competition. That's not a bad strategy when they're simultaneously gaining access to 2 relatively large, and loyal, customer bases.
I agree with @Sharon. You complain about AA not being competitive, but airlines were making record profits. You didn't need to fix something that wasn't broken.
The COVID airline hit is real, and although air travel started to rebound, we are seeing very quickly that it was too soon and states are re-shutting down and imposing quarantine requirements on other states. Furthermore, antibody studies are showing a loss of immunity after 2-6 months, which shutters...
I agree with @Sharon. You complain about AA not being competitive, but airlines were making record profits. You didn't need to fix something that wasn't broken.
The COVID airline hit is real, and although air travel started to rebound, we are seeing very quickly that it was too soon and states are re-shutting down and imposing quarantine requirements on other states. Furthermore, antibody studies are showing a loss of immunity after 2-6 months, which shutters a herd immunity theory. It was an untenable position for AA to remain stagnant. I think we see some mergers in the next 1.5 years.
It is direct competition to DL in the SE in cities where JetBlue flies out of to NY. Like MCO, JAX, SAV and other cities. I love because I’m in the SE and American now becomes a viable option for flights out of JFK. Prior to this I would have had to taken a very expensive flight to and out of Charlotte or 2 flights to get to NYC. JetBlue has a direct connection to...
It is direct competition to DL in the SE in cities where JetBlue flies out of to NY. Like MCO, JAX, SAV and other cities. I love because I’m in the SE and American now becomes a viable option for flights out of JFK. Prior to this I would have had to taken a very expensive flight to and out of Charlotte or 2 flights to get to NYC. JetBlue has a direct connection to JFK from my cities and offers an option other than DL.
@ Lucky, does JetBlue fly out of MIA or just FLL for you?
Any connection here to JetBlue moving into PHL for a bunch of new routes? Wouldn't really make sense to become competitors and strategic partners at the same time.
There’s irony in the fact that the once-dominant carrier in the northeast is an ancestor to the modern AA.
I'm glad for this development. I'd abandoned AA on my regular NYC flights, because their product had sunk so far below B6's. But I am confused and disappointed: LGA, & EWR are both included in the agreement, which is surprising, considering they don't seem to be part of the connectivity argument, but HPN, my preferred airport, is not.
Clearly AA no longer sees being the largest airline in the world (by one or another measure) is not an advantage in this new reality. It is downsizing its domestic route system (and staffing) to be more effective on lower yield intra-US flights, and re-evaluating which overseas routes are most beneficial and profitable. Also reducing competition reduces the chance of price levels that can't sustain operations. All airlines are downsizing significantly and partnering in the...
Clearly AA no longer sees being the largest airline in the world (by one or another measure) is not an advantage in this new reality. It is downsizing its domestic route system (and staffing) to be more effective on lower yield intra-US flights, and re-evaluating which overseas routes are most beneficial and profitable. Also reducing competition reduces the chance of price levels that can't sustain operations. All airlines are downsizing significantly and partnering in the east/central with JetBlue and Alaska in the west appears to be how AA (and those carriers) are addressing it. Seems UA and DL are just going on a diet to wait out the return of more passengers.
AA will never be able to compete with DL. Desperation attempts.
AA just basically decided to outsource the Northeast US.
I know El Al is having issues and DL hasn't restarted JFK-TLV yet but landing in T5 and getting to T8 to connect to AA's TLV flight seems miserable and time consuming. Is it really a MAJOR opportunity?
Does this impact JetBlue's transatlantic ambitions?
It's great to see things happen like this, though I'd be much more excited if JetBlue joins OneWorld.
I feel like this is all about post COVID recovery.
There is no risk for JetBlue in this case, as they haven’t stated they must add any routes, smart win B6!!
JetBlue has a superior product. So now will AA be launching two new routes to Tel Aviv, or could we see the Dallas service moving to JFK?
This appears to be a direct attack on Delta and United in the Nyc Market
Instead of figuring out ways of getting people onto planes, focus on getting your COVID under control. Economists have already said that ending lockdown early doesn't actually help the economy recover, and this has been shown to be true factually, if you look at Sweden: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/sweden-didn-t-lock-down-but-economy-to-plunge-anyway-1.4973195
Fix the COVID train wreck, THEN try to fix the economy. This mess is partly caused by putting the cart before the horse.
Instead of figuring out ways of getting people onto planes, focus on getting your COVID under control. Economists have already said that ending lockdown early doesn't actually help the economy recover, and this has been shown to be true factually, if you look at Sweden: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/sweden-didn-t-lock-down-but-economy-to-plunge-anyway-1.4973195
Fix the COVID train wreck, THEN try to fix the economy. This mess is partly caused by putting the cart before the horse.
Status matches please!! All I care about.
I wish PHL was included more in this strategy. A PHL-LAX Premium transcon product is needed (as a TATL gateway) and this would have been a good chance to include one.
@ Ben -- Maybe if AA, AS and B6 merge, UA can finally get some JFK slots back?
Looks like American is taking on Delta in Seattle, Boston, and New York. I've complained for years about American lacking in competitive spirit since their merger with US Air, but suddenly they're getting aggressive. I welcome it.
Looks like American is taking on Delta in Seattle, Boston, and New York. I've complained for years about American lacking in competitive spirit since the merger with US Air, but suddenly they're getting aggressive. I welcome it.
Sucks for me. i bailed out on AA a couple years ago and jetBlue jettisoned IAD so i lost my Mosaic status....so no status on either carrier any longer. I have One World Sapphire but that apparently isn't going to help here.
Lucky, what do you think will happen once JetBlue is starting its New York and Boston to London flights? If they end up not flying to Heathrow I could see it work out well. However, if so, I would imagine BA will not be happy about this partnership.
As a New York-based American frequent flyer, I’m extremely pumped. American are doing with JetBlue on the East Coast what they did with Alaska in the Pacific Northwest. Say what you want about Doug Parker. He may not be as customer service oriented as we’d like. He may be hands-off where he could be more hands-on. But the guy is an incredible deal-maker.
What if ... American, Alaska, JetBlue merger?
You are going to see a reversal of the trends of the last decade... airlines will need to 'consolidate' to some extent to survive. The industry is going to be smaller going forward for many years. If you don't live in a convenient location, your airfare will also be going up!