JetBlue and United Complete DOT Review for Blue Sky Collaboration, Paving the Way for Enhanced Customer Benefits

Published on July 29, 2025

JetBlue and United Airlines have cleared the US Department of Transportation (DOT) review of their gamechanging Blue Sky partnership – a significant stepping stone for the airline industry. The completion of this review is a significant milestone not only toward cementing the partnership between the two airlines, but also for a massive joint offering that will create more value for American and LATAM customers and advance our shared commitment to the region.

The Blue Sky Collaboration: What It Means for Travelers
Blue Sky is designed to offer travelers an array of exciting new benefits by combining the strengths of two major U.S. carriers: United Airlines and JetBlue. With the approval from the DOT, both airlines are ready to implement new offerings that will directly benefit their customers, especially in terms of flight options, loyalty rewards, and ease of booking.

Through this partnership, United MileagePlus® members can now earn and redeem their miles on a wide range of JetBlue flights. This integration ensures that MileagePlus members will have the opportunity to accrue miles as they travel with JetBlue, making the airline’s network more attractive to United’s loyal customers. In contrast, JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can now accumulate and use their points on United’s extensive range of domestic and international routes.

This unique partnership, which leverages both airlines’ strengths, allows customers from either airline to seamlessly book flights on the other’s network. The convenience of this collaboration will be felt most through the airlines’ shared digital platforms. Customers will soon be able to view and book flights on JetBlue’s app or website for United flights and vice versa, simplifying the booking process.

Phased Rollout of Customer Benefits
The new collaboration will not only streamline flight booking but will also offer several premium benefits for customers. Beginning this fall, the airlines will introduce a series of loyalty perks, rolling out in phases. These benefits include:

• Priority Boarding and Seat Preferences: Travelers will enjoy priority boarding when flying on the partner airline, as well as access to preferred and extra legroom seats.
• Same-Day Standby/Switch: This feature will be available when switching or standby flights on the other airline, making travel more flexible for customers.

These loyalty perks will be available when passengers travel on the partner airline’s aircraft, making it easier for members of both MileagePlus and TrueBlue to enjoy benefits across the broader network.

Strategic Airport and Slot Exchange
In addition to the customer benefits, JetBlue and United have made significant moves to enhance operational efficiency, particularly at major U.S. airports. One of the key elements of the collaboration involves JetBlue providing United Airlines with access to valuable slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Starting as early as 2027, United will be able to run up to seven round-trip flights each day from JFK Terminal 6.

Meanwhile, as part of a net-neutral exchange, JetBlue and United will swap eight flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport. This exchange is expected to increase operational flexibility, benefiting both airlines by enabling better scheduling and more convenient flight options for travelers.

Technological Innovations with Paisly Platform
One of the more intriguing aspects of the partnership is the technological shift that will affect how both airlines handle additional services. United will transition its website and mobile app’s ability to sell hotels, rental cars, cruises, and travel insurance to JetBlue’s Paisly platform. Paisly, JetBlue’s own innovative travel platform, will power these services for United, ensuring customers have access to seamless travel options and packages, whether booking flights or additional travel services.

Joint Blue Sky, the alliance between JetBlue and United Airlines is a major alignment that will reshape the domestic and international air express industry. Airline sharing options, combined loyalty programs and NeatSeat transaction technology are just a few of the programs that will be introduced, ushering in a new era in aviation customer service. With the integration being released in stages and the expectation of more to come, travelers will have even greater convenience and flexibility, along with greater loyalty benefits and rewards. With new lines, growth in loyalty programs, and the implementation of fresh travel technology, Blue Sky is set to transform the way in which millions travel in the coming years.