JetBlue and United Launch Loyalty and Tech Partnership
JetBlue and United Airlines announced on May 29, 2025, that they are entering into a wide-ranging commercial partnership designed to enhance customer experience and streamline operations. The collaboration centers on loyalty programs, digital distribution, advertising technology, and slot exchanges at key airports, creating new benefits for travelers flying out of New York and Boston. The partnership allows United’s MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles on JetBlue flights and vice versa for JetBlue’s TrueBlue members flying on United, marking a significant shift in the loyalty ecosystem. In addition to miles, members of both programs will now enjoy reciprocal benefits such as priority boarding, access to premium seating, and flexibility with same-day standby and flight changes.
Beyond loyalty perks, the airlines will also link their digital sales channels. United flights will now appear on JetBlue’s booking platforms, including its website and mobile app, while JetBlue services will be accessible through United’s channels. United will further consolidate its fragmented ancillary services by distributing vacation packages and other travel add-ons via JetBlue’s Paisly platform, providing a unified customer booking experience. On the advertising front, JetBlue will adopt United’s Kinective Media platform, which enables advanced targeting of travelers with personalized offers, ads, and content across the travel journey.
Operationally, both carriers have agreed to exchange valuable takeoff and landing slots at key New York airports. United will gain up to seven round-trip slots at New York JFK International Airport from JetBlue, while JetBlue will acquire eight round-trip slots at United’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. This move strengthens each airline’s presence in these highly competitive markets.
The partnership has been anticipated for months following JetBlue’s failed Northeast Alliance with American Airlines, which was struck down by a federal court in 2023 for violating antitrust laws. This new agreement with United is carefully crafted to avoid the legal pitfalls that doomed the earlier alliance. Rather than focusing on scheduling or pricing coordination, JetBlue and United are aligning on loyalty programs and digital platforms—areas that add consumer value without triggering competition concerns.
For JetBlue, this partnership marks a strategic shift aimed at regaining its influence in the northeastern U.S. market, while for United, it offers access to JetBlue’s strong customer base and streamlined digital infrastructure. Both airlines benefit from enhanced reach and improved customer retention as travelers gain more flexibility and recognition across both carriers. As legacy carriers and low-cost airlines alike look to redefine partnerships in a post-pandemic market, the JetBlue-United collaboration could signal a new blueprint for airline alliances focused on technology and loyalty, rather than traditional codeshares and scheduling ties.
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