In May 2025, United and JetBlue announced plans to roll out a partnership, which is being marketed as Blue Sky. Its a quirky collaboration that seems odd on the surface.
Continue reading: United & JetBlue Roll Out Reciprocal Elite Perks Live: How Generous Are They?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The main financial benefit to JetBlue will be United transitioning to using the True Blue Travel platform for booking hotels/cars/vacation packages, etc. The other benefit is simply providing more visibility for JetBlue flights on the United site.
The big thing fpr me is if I can get PQP's when I fly B6 while booked through United. As a Boston based flyer that would be a game changer, but sadly, looks like this wont be the case. If they really want to disrupt here, they need to do that. Otherwise, no reason for me to book B6.
Can someone explain to me why JetBlue’s partnership is allowed but the United one isn’t?
I think the main factor is that they are (allegedly) not coordinating schedules and pricing, as (I believe) AA was with their partnership.
Would you have to book through your status airline to receive the perks on the other...For example if I am United Gold, do I have to book via United and choose an itinerary operated by Jetblue or can I book Jetblue directly?
This is the exact and sole reason I didn't book B6 for my travel. I'm paying a small premium to get elite qualification, both cash and positioning, but that's how it goes.
Every airlines collude.
That's why the loss of Spirit is a loss for everyone but the airlines.
Are these perks only on Main or also on Basic? Specifically I am JetBlue elite. To get benefits on United do I need to book United main or does United basic also receive same benefits?
Thank you!
Agreed...also BOS-based and *A loyalist for the most part. The inability to collect PQP if booking via United.com while flying B6 metal is a deal breaker yet it appears one can collect Tiles for MOSAIC status while flying UA metal. I have been flying more B6 lately especially given their route network of nonstops versus UA hub connections and the MINT suites BOS-LAS/LAX is a far superior experience to the beatdown 752s.
Presumably one way to get around all that JetBlue debt is to get bondholders to agree to convert their debt to equity of the combined entity. Given what they might get out of Chapter 11 filing that could be a motivation to agree to a swap.
You’re missing a big piece. The money on strengthening loyalty but apparently mostly on paisly (formerly JetBlue vacations) taking over United vacations package selling
Why wouldn't you just credit everything to JetBlue including the United flights? Presumably, you'd be flying JetBlue more if you're BOS based
I think it was dumb to block that since JetBlue and American were number 3 and number 4 in NYC, but the difference is that was essentially a JV in LGA/EWR/JFK where both were acting as a single airline and coordinating routes. No coordination between JetBlue and United here
I'd like to see JetBlue join the Star Alliance TATL JV with Lufthansa. In the winter, when demand is lower between MUC/FRA and the Northeast, JetBlue could use their A321LRs to run BOS/JFK-MUC/FRA. Would help JetBlue's balance sheet, but I'm not sure Lufthansa would want it
Only if you care about flying up and down the east coat and even at that, B6 has pulled out of some secondary markets.
UA Gold here. I never get upgraded on United, why would I expect it on JetBlue?
I'm mid-Atlantic, so this is nice for me.
As noted by the Boston-based commenters, I would love to fly Jet Blue (out of both Boston and JFK), but not being able to earn United PQPs makes it an unappealing option. I am stuck with EWR.
Until elite-qualifying benefits are harmonized so that I get full credit for the fare, the segment and the PQPs flying with B6 gets me a few perks but nothing meaningful to maintain status. Why would I make that choice if I don't have to?
JetBlue needs membership in theStar Alliance to pop. This would allow it to handle the domestic leg of Star Alliance airlines at JFK.
If you’re a JetBlue loyalist/frequent flyer, you’re getting screwed. United at your lunch!
JetBlue Is just a poorly ran airlines. Every move theyve made last 10 years or so is bad.
The lack of reciprocal lounge access makes this less exciting. At least AA and B6’s NEA included access to ACs while flying B6, if you had status/membership. No luck here. Not to mention, now B6 has a lounge (Blue House, JFK T5, and more on the way). Oh well…
Do flights booked through JetBlue but flown on United (with United MP #) count towards United’s 4 segment minimum requirement even if it doesn’t earn PQF? Thanks!
Yes, I was going to say that there is another piece unfinished, which jetblue seems to have emphasized a lot back in the days when the deal was first announced, which is United adopting paisly. Though really, I don’t see how it is important financially for Jetblue, as this definitely seemed secondary to United.