United Airlines is making its way back to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport through a new partnership with JetBlue Airways, called Blue Sky, as per NBC News.
This alliance allows customers of both airlines to earn frequent-flyer miles across each other’s networks and enjoy reciprocal loyalty perks such as priority boarding and upgraded seats for elite travelers.
While some elements of the partnership will launch as early as this fall, the airlines have not shared precise timelines or financial details.
JetBlue has long sought a partnership to better compete with larger carriers like United and rival Delta Air Lines. However, this agreement does not include flight coordination like JetBlue’s previous Northeast alliance with American Airlines, which was struck down on antitrust grounds. Similarly, a planned JetBlue acquisition of Spirit Airlines was blocked last year.
JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty described the collaboration as “a bold step forward” that will offer travelers more options and value.
United exited JFK in 2015, a move CEO Scott Kirby has admitted was a mistake, as it allowed American Airlines to capture key corporate clients by shifting transcontinental flights to Newark. United briefly returned in 2021 during a COVID-related traffic lull but left again in 2022 after failing to secure long-term slots.
Kirby has expressed a strong desire to reestablish a presence at JFK. The airline has recently faced staffing shortages and congestion issues at its Newark hub.
Under the new deal, United will be allowed up to seven daily round-trip flights at JFK starting no earlier than 2027, increasing its New York City-area reach, though Newark will remain its primary hub. JetBlue will receive eight flights at Newark as part of a “net neutral exchange.”
United has not yet disclosed which routes it will operate from JFK, but its previous service included flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
