JetBlue and United Airlines announced Tuesday that their proposed partnership has been cleared by the U.S. Department of Transportation, allowing both carriers to move forward with plans to integrate their services. The partnership, called “Blue Sky,” was introduced in May as a broad collaboration designed to expand flight options, coordinate loyalty programs, and increase customer benefits for travelers. The deal comes after JetBlue’s previous alliance with American Airlines was blocked by a federal court in 2023.
Under the agreement, passengers will be able to book flights on either airline’s website and use or earn frequent flyer points interchangeably. Beginning in 2027, United will also gain access to valuable takeoff and landing slots at New York’s JFK International Airport, with plans for up to seven daily round-trip flights. JetBlue has projected that Blue Sky could generate an additional $50 million in incremental operating profits beyond its original forecasts. Despite opposition from Spirit Airlines, which argued the alliance would reduce competition, regulators approved the deal as part of a broader trend of leniency toward mergers and partnerships under the Trump administration. JetBlue and United say the first customer benefits from the partnership will roll out gradually starting in fall 2025.