JetBlue & United Just Got Closer: What The “Blue Sky” Partnership Means For Your Points

United and JetBlue have made it official—no more flirting, they’re committing.

Just a month after I wrote about the shockwave partnership between the two airlines , we now have the next phase: a loyalty link-up under the banner of Blue Sky. Think shared earnings, cross-redemptions, and a broader playground for points nerds like us. Let’s unpack the details.

Under the new Blue Sky partnership, JetBlue TrueBlue and United MileagePlus members can now earn and redeem points across both airlines. That’s a big deal, especially for folks flying out of cities like Boston or Newark, where both carriers have a serious presence. JetBlue loyalists get access to United’s global network (Europe, Africa, Asia), and MileagePlus members can finally cash in for JetBlue’s East Coast-heavy and Caribbean routes.

This move also includes reciprocal elite perks at launch: free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, extra legroom seating, and same-day flight changes or standby access. However, lounge access and upgrades are off the table, at least for now.

Flights from both carriers will be bookable on either airline’s website via an interline agreement (not a codeshare). And no, this isn’t a merger yet, but it is a significant step toward creating a dual-airline network that could rival Delta or American on the East Coast.

For frequent flyers, this is where things start to get interesting.

Earning: MileagePlus members can now earn miles on JetBlue flights, and vice versa. If you’re already loyal to one program, this opens up your route map significantly.

Redeeming: JetBlue members can now burn points on MileagePlus sweet spots like Cape Town or Tahiti, while United flyers can tap into JetBlue’s extensive leisure routes (think Aruba, Barbados, St. Maarten). No dynamic pricing details yet, but fingers crossed we don’t get burned.

Personally, I think this move adds more value for JetBlue flyers than United ones. United MileagePlus already has tons of partners and Star Alliance access. TrueBlue, on the other hand, just got a serious network boost.

This is the part I always care about most, and if you’re loyal to either airline, you probably do too. So far, it looks like:

JetBlue Mosaic = United Premier (at least operationally).

Priority security, boarding, free checked bags, and Even More Space or preferred seating.

That said, there’s no word yet on upgrades or lounge perks. Don’t expect a JetBlue Mosaic to be lounging in Polaris anytime soon, or a United Platinum enjoying complimentary drinks in Terminal 5. Still, for an initial rollout, it’s more generous than most cross-airline arrangements. Details on reciprocal elite benefits are expected later this year.

For now, it’s a promising first step, but it still feels tentative. If they’re serious about making this partnership stick, deeper elite recognition needs to follow.

One of the biggest under-the-radar wins? United is planning a JFK comeback by 2027, using up to seven daily slot pairs acquired from JetBlue. That means up to seven round-trips per day can be operated by United out of JFK, likely to key domestic or transatlantic markets.

For New Yorkers loyal to United, this means they no longer have to suffer through the Newark shuffle just to fly long-haul Star Alliance. Combine that with JetBlue’s JFK dominance—180 daily departures from JFK alone, and you’ve got real synergy in New York.

If you read my earlier post, you know I believe this is part of Scott Kirby’s broader strategy: neutralize Delta and American on the coasts without spending a fortune on new hubs. Why build when you can borrow? JetBlue brings a premium, leisure-heavy brand. United brings global connectivity. Together, they’re positioning themselves as a kind of anti-alliance alliance. And I have to say, it’s a clever play.

JetBlue and United have emphasized customer value and expanded choice in announcing Blue Sky. JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty called it “a bold step forward…bringing together two customer-focused airlines” and said United’s global network “perfectly complements” JetBlue’s East Coast and leisure routes.

United CEO Scott Kirby praised the innovation and said MileagePlus members now have “new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles”. Both noted that Blue Sky will deliver more options and value “no matter where in the world” customers travel.
This isn’t just about points, it’s about power. And the more aligned these two get, the harder it will be for competitors to offer anything remotely comparable from key cities like Boston, New York, and San Francisco.

Should you care? If you fly once a year and don’t touch your points account, maybe not.

But if you’re like me, chasing elite status, obsessing over award charts, and treating points like a second currency, then yes, you absolutely should be watching this.

The Blue Sky partnership may still be in its infancy, but it’s already showing signs of being more than a marketing gimmick. I’ll be curious to see how quickly they deepen the integration. If JetBlue redemptions become possible at solid value through MileagePlus (or vice versa), this could quietly become one of the most powerful earning ecosystems in North America.

JetBlue and United just gave each other a loyalty hug, and you might be the one who benefits most. Keep an eye on this one. The sky just got a little bluer. And your points got a whole lot more useful.