Major Partnership Between American Airlines JetBlue and United to Offer More Flights and Benefits
In a major win for two major American airlines, JetBlue and United have recently announced their partnership, much to the delight of passengers. Despite objections from rival company Spirit Airlines, the collaboration is set to roll out in the coming weeks.
The partnership, known as “Blue Sky”, will allow passengers to easily book flights on both JetBlue and United through either of their websites. They will also earn points on the frequent flyer programs of both brands. As part of the deal, JetBlue will also be providing United with slots at the busy JFK International Airport for seven daily round-trip flights. This aspect of the partnership is expected to launch in 2027.
According to JetBlue, the partnership will generate an additional $50 million in operating profit, exceeding their original expectations. JetBlue’s president, Marty St George, stated that the collaboration, “will enable each airline to offer its customers access to hundreds of new flights and destinations through a traditional interline agreement.
However, Spirit Airlines had previously voiced their concerns to the U. S Department of Transportation, urging them to reject the partnership. They argued that it would be anti-competitive and could lead to other large carriers following suit. Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital, pointed out that the removal of anti-trust triggers, such as shared revenue and joint scheduling, has created a model that smaller carriers could also adopt.
In other news, Spirit Airlines has had to make major changes to their operations due to the pandemic. They recently announced that nearly 270 pilots will be furloughed this fall, resulting in a 24% decrease in seating capacity. This is the third round of cuts for the airline this year, as they continue to struggle financially. The company has not turned a profit for almost six years and filed for Chapter 11 in November 2024.
Despite objections and challenges, JetBlue and United’s partnership is set to offer more flights and benefits for passengers. This collaboration marks a significant step forward for the two airlines and could potentially pave the way for future partnerships in the industry.