In spring 2025, two of the biggest airlines in the US announced plans to create a new partnership. And as of July 29, 2025, it became official: the US Department of Transportation (DOT) gave United Airlines and JetBlue Airways permission to move forward with the new “Blue Sky” partnership. It’s not a merger, but it is a new partnership that allows both airlines to potentially claim a share of the other airline’s passenger base. The airlines will mesh their frequent flyer programs, have shared booking options, and make it easier for travelers to fly with both airlines on one trip.
Photo: Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock
The United/JetBlue Partnership Is Official. Here's What Will Change for Travelers.
The new partnership is expected to be in place by autumn 2025, with the airlines claiming it will “deliver more choices for travelers and value across our networks.” Critics are worried it’s a merger in disguise that will drive up prices by eliminating competition, and lead to price collusion, especially in regions where JetBlue and United are the two major carriers.
Here are the major changes travelers can expect with the new Blue Sky partnership.
Interchangeable loyalty programs
One of the most immediately noticeable changes for travelers will be the integration of the airlines’ loyalty programs (JetBlue’s TrueBlue and United’s MileagePlus). Beginning fall 2025, members of both airlines can earn and redeem points across both airlines’ networks. That means a United Gold member will be able to book a JetBlue flight using MileagePlus miles, and a JetBlue “Mosaic” member will be able to redeem their miles across United’s much larger network.
Status perks shared between airlines
Photo: JetBlue
Frequent flyers with elite status on either airline will now get perks when flying with the other. Benefits like priority boarding, preferred or extra legroom seating, and same-day flight changes will now be honored across both airlines, regardless of which you’re flying. The benefits change a little — for example, United Gold Members who are used to being boarding group 1 will only get boarding group 2 on JetBlue. But in general, members with status will receive some level of enhanced perks across both airlines.
Single bookings through both airlines (with smoother luggage handling)
Photo: Tyler Olson/Shutterstock
Travelers booking multi-segment itineraries that involve both airlines will likely notice smoother travel. The Blue Sky partnership lets travelers book multi-airline travel on one reservation. So if you need to take a JetBlue flight from Boston to Newark, followed by a United-operated connection to Buenos Aires, you’ll be able to do it as one continuous reservation, with your baggage checked through to your final destination. It means you’ll no longer need to book separate reservations, removing a pain point for travelers used to booking JetBlue connections separately.
Expanded airport access and new routes
JetBlue currently serves JFK, which United Airlines does not. Photo: Nate Hovee/Shutterstock
With the shared booking comes a larger travel network for flyers. United will gain access to gates at New York’s JFK Airport, currently served by JetBlue, and both airlines will coordinate their schedules out of Newark, currently served by both JetBlue and United. Part of the terms of DOT’s approval is that even with coordination, the number of flights from both airlines remains more or less the same to avoid them trying to use the partnership to secure a larger share of the travel market.
While New York’s airports are likely to see the biggest changes from the partnership, most of United’s hubs will see improved connectivity. The Blue Sky partnership should make it easier to reach hubs Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles from airports with a heavy JetBlue presence, like Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Boston Logan.
Integrated digital booking tools
Airlines app logo on phone screen” width=”1280″ height=”853″ class=”size-full wp-image-649278″ /> Photo: Postmodern Studio/ShutterstockUnited announced it plans to incorporate JetBlue’s Paisly travel platform into its website. It’s currently used for JetBlue travelers to book non-airfare travel reservations, like hotels, car rentals, cruises, and travel insurance. When that’s complete, United users who prefer to book their trips through a single platform will be able to take advantage of the same offerings. 