Huge: American & JetBlue Add 33 Routes In The Northeast

We’ve known for a while that American and JetBlue are introducing a strategic alliance in the Northeast. Well, today there was a major announcement on that front, as American and JetBlue plan to codeshare as of February 25, 2021 (which is a week from today).

In addition to revealing plans to align schedules in several markets, American and JetBlue have announced a total of 33 new routes, which I wanted to cover in this post. In no particular order, here’s what we can expect:

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American’s international expansion in New York

As of May 6, 2021, American Airlines is adding the following new year-round routes to Latin America out of New York JFK:

• New York to Santiago, Chile (SCL) — 3x weekly flights using a 777-200
• New York to Bogota, Colombia (BOG) — daily using an A319
• New York to Cali, Colombia (CLO) — daily using an A319
• New York to Medellin, Colombia (MDE) — daily using an A319

On top of that, American is adding two new seasonal, Saturday-only routes to the Caribbean out of New York JFK:

• New York to St. Lucia (UVF) — using a 737-800
• New York to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (PLS) — using a 737-800

This complements American’s previously announced international expansion out of New York, including to Athens, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, and Tel Aviv.

American will fly from New York to Santiago

American’s domestic expansion in the Northeast

American Airlines is adding a dozen new domestic routes out of Boston and New York-area airports, some of which may come as a surprise. These new routes are as follows:

• Boston (BOS) to Asheville, North Carolina (AVL) — seasonal
• Boston (BOS) to Columbus, Ohio (CMH) — year-round
• Boston (BOS) to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) — seasonal
• Boston (BOS) to Traverse City, Michigan (TVC) — seasonal
• Boston (BOS) to Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM) — seasonal
• New York (JFK) to Orange County, California (SNA) — year-round
• New York (LGA) to Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) — year-round
• New York (LGA) to Key West, Florida (EYW) — seasonal
• New York (LGA) to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
• New York (LGA) to Pensacola, Florida (PNS) — seasonal
• New York (LGA) to Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) — seasonal
• New York (LGA) to Savannah, Georgia (SAV) — seasonal

American will fly A321Ts from New York to Orange County

JetBlue’s expansion in the Northeast

JetBlue Airways is adding well over a dozen new routes out of the Northeast, with a particular focus on Newark. These routes include the following:

• New York (JFK) to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) — seasonal
• New York (JFK) to Boise, Idaho (BOI) — seasonal
• Newark (EWR) to St. John’s, Antigua (ANU) — year-round
• Newark (EWR) to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN) — year-round
• Newark (EWR) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) — year-round
• Newark (EWR) to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) — seasonal
• Newark (EWR) to Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) — seasonal
• Newark (EWR) to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) — year-round
• Newark (EWR) to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) — year-round
• Newark (EWR) to Seattle, Washington (SEA) — seasonal
• Newark (EWR) to St. Lucia (UVF) — year-round
• Newark (EWR) to St. Thomas, USVI (STT) — year-round
• New York (LGA) to Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) — year-round
• New York (LGA) to Denver, Colorado (DEN) — year-round
• New York (LGA) to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) — seasonal

JetBlue is expanding significantly out of Newark

When should we expect reciprocal loyalty benefits?

While codeshare flights launch as of next week, American AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue haven’t yet announced reciprocal points earning, points redemptions, or elite recognition.

What’s the latest on this front?

• American AAdvantage and JetBlue will allow reciprocal points earning as of this spring, though we don’t have an exact date
• Over time there are plans to allow reciprocal points redemptions, as well as reciprocal elite recognition

It sounds like we could expect reciprocal mileage earning within weeks, while other things might take a bit longer.

American & JetBlue will offer reciprocal points earning

My take on the American & JetBlue expansion

While I wouldn’t say there’s anything too surprising here, there are a few things I find noteworthy about this announcement from American and JetBlue:

• I’m impressed by the speed at which American is adding long haul international routes out of New York JFK, with the introduction of Santiago service
• JetBlue sure is going after United at Newark, as the airline keeps expanding there
• I’m a bit surprised to see American adding point-to-point routes out of Boston, given that this is nowadays a hub for JetBlue, and barely a focus city for American; I suppose that maybe American has more of an ability to expand there than JetBlue does
• While the new routes being added are great for consumers, it seems to me like we’re seeing significant reductions in combined service between airports where schedules are being aligned, like New York to Los Angeles
• As I wrote about in a separate post, I find the New York to Orange County route on American to be the single most interesting addition, given that it will be operated by an A321T

American Airlines is adding routes in Boston

Bottom line

The new American and JetBlue strategic alliance is finally launching, as the two airlines will start codesharing as of next week. We’re seeing nearly three dozen new routes added, as well as aligned schedules in other markets.

American and JetBlue should offer reciprocal mileage earning as of this spring, with reciprocal mileage redemptions and elite benefits coming at a later point.

What do you make of these new American & JetBlue routes?