JetBlue Confirms No Merger Plans With United Airlines

JetBlue Airways has ruled out any plans to merge with United Airlines, according to CEO Joanna Geraghty, who spoke at the IATA World Air Transport Summit in Delhi. Geraghty cited past regulatory hurdles, including the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2023 decision to block JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance with American Airlines, as the reason for avoiding further merger attempts.

“We’ve spent a lot of time with the Department of Justice over the last five years, and we are playing it safe,” Geraghty said, emphasizing the legal and regulatory risks associated with consolidation.

In late May 2025, JetBlue and United announced a strategic partnership called “Blue Sky,” which includes slot access at New York JFK for United starting in 2027, adjusted timings at Newark, and expanded codeshare and frequent flyer benefits. The partnership is pending regulatory approval.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby also dismissed merger speculation in a separate interview with Bloomberg. He cited cultural and technical complexities that often make mergers difficult and costly. “Mergers are hard and complicated,” Kirby said. “There’s a lot of brain damage that goes into them.”

Kirby also defended United’s Newark hub, calling it a “crown jewel” despite recent disruptions tied to air traffic control system outages. He expects reliability at Newark to improve starting mid-June as the FAA adjusts flight volumes to match airport capacity, similar to traffic management practices at JFK and LaGuardia.

Both airlines appear committed to collaboration over consolidation as they focus on expanding their presence across the New York and Boston markets.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com