United Airlines and JetBlue have strengthened their “Blue Sky” cooperation by allowing customers to book flights across both carriers directly through either airline’s website or mobile app. This means customers searching for flights with JetBlue will also see relevant United flights for sale, and vice versa, ultimately enabling wider travel options.

With revenue flight bookings now available, the move blends JetBlue’s leisure-oriented network with United’s huge domestic and international reach, giving its customers an easier way to book their itineraries. Bookings can be made through cash, TrueBlue points, or MileagePlus miles, following the introduction of reciprocal loyalty earnings and redemption last year.

JetBlue And United To Offer Cross-Airline Booking

Credit: Shutterstock

As announced by both airlines this week, the booking process with JetBlue and United is about to be much easier, with customers able to seamlessly book eligible itineraries with either airline. As explained by JetBlue, “customers will be able to book flights on either airline using cash, points, or miles” in the latest enhancement of the two airlines’ Blue Sky collaboration. JetBlue regulars now stand to benefit from United’s vast international connections, with UA flights now included as part of Flight + Hotel packages.

Meanwhile, United’s customer base can now easily access JetBlue’s excellent leisure destinations across the Americas and Caribbean. More flights and route options now show up when searching for flights on JetBlue.com, United.com, or either airline app — looking at each carrier’s booking platform, flights operated by the partner airline are clearly marked and available on the same page, but mixed-airline itineraries are not yet available. Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, commented,

“This move gives our members even more ability to earn and redeem points to exciting destinations around the world, while United customers gain access to JetBlue’s network across the Americas and Europe.”

Future Integration Expected

Credit: Shutterstock

This integration of revenue bookings with either airline is just the beginning, with several additions to the Blue Sky collaboration expected in the coming months. This will include reciprocal loyalty perks and benefits — such as priority boarding and same-day changes — as well as United’s MileagePlus Travel moving over to JetBlue’s Paisly travel portal.

Although the airlines are not yet allowing customers to book mixed-airline itineraries, this is likely to arrive in the near future. According to JetBlue, both airlines “expect to later add the ability to book a single itinerary that includes flights operated by both JetBlue and United.” This would lead to a more convenient travel experience for passengers who currently have to fly under multi-flight itineraries.

The two airlines will also be working closely at New York JFK Airport (JFK) in the coming years. United’s return to New York’s premier airport was facilitated by JetBlue, which will provide access to takeoff and landing slots for up to seven daily roundtrips out of JFK’s new Terminal 6. JetBlue has a major presence at JFK and operates over 180 daily flights from the airport — the current timeline will see flights begin in 2027, with United expected to launch premium coast-to-coast flights.

Related

United Airlines Returns To JFK In A New Partnership With JetBlue

United Airlines said that it will launch flights from New York JFK in 2027.

Blue Sky Partnership Growth

Credit: JetBlue

This is the latest progression of United and JetBlue’s Blue Sky collaboration, which was announced less than 12 months ago but is expanding rapidly. Its first phase went live in October, granting reciprocal loyalty earning and redemption benefits, before the addition of revenue bookings this month.

The partnership initially drew criticism over competition concerns, with Spirit Airlines claiming the collaboration effectively made JetBlue a “vassal” of United’s. However, it has since been given the green light by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), which overruled any competition complaints.

The next step will be implementing reciprocal elite loyalty benefits later this year. United’s MileagePlus Travel is also set to transition to JetBlue’s Paisly platform later this year, significantly improving the booking experience for its customers. Paisly is a one-stop shop for vacation purchases, such as cruises, car rentals and hotels, and maintains a 24/7 team of human advisors with an average wait time of under two minutes.