JetBlue, United Partnership Cleared by U.S. Transportation Department
JetBlue and United Airlines have received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for their planned “Blue Sky” partnership, allowing the carriers to move forward with implementation. The DOT review concluded Tuesday, giving both airlines the green light to roll out new benefits starting in fall 2025.
The partnership comes after JetBlue was forced to pivot in 2023 when a federal judge blocked its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines. Announced in May, Blue Sky will allow travelers to book flights on either airline’s website or app, while earning and redeeming United MileagePlus miles or JetBlue TrueBlue points across both networks.
As part of the agreement, JetBlue will provide United with access to slots at New York’s JFK International Airport for up to seven daily round-trip flights beginning in 2027. The collaboration is also projected to deliver $50 million in additional operating profit compared to initial forecasts.
“We believe Blue Sky will enable each airline to offer its customers access to hundreds of new flights and destinations through a traditional interline agreement,” said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue.
Not everyone welcomed the deal. Spirit Airlines previously urged regulators to reject the partnership, warning it could reduce competition. However, analysts noted that unlike JetBlue’s blocked alliance with American, Blue Sky avoids antitrust triggers such as joint scheduling and shared revenue, making it more likely to pass regulatory scrutiny.
The DOT approval reflects a broader trend under the current administration, where regulators have adopted a more flexible stance toward corporate partnerships and mergers.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=jetblue, https://airguide.info/?s=United+Airlines
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com