As JetBlue looks to shave several routes this fall, those looking to still make the most of their TrueBlue frequent flyer membership can still earn and use points on United Airlines services. Passengers with higher TrueBlue status can also get elite perks when traveling with the Star Alliance partner carrier.
Data from Cirium, an online aviation analytics company, shows that this October, JetBlue will operate around 17 fewer flights per day to and from New York, an impact of around 2,255 seats per day. This comes in the same month that JetBlue axed its Chicago O’Hare and Nashville to New York (JFK) routes on October 25.
JetBlue And United Airlines Reciprocal Benefits
Earlier this year, JetBlue and United Airlines announced the Blue Sky alliance, which provides reciprocal elite benefits for both United MileagePlus members and JetBlue TrueBlue. Both memberships have expanded both airlines’ loyalty programs across each carrier, providing priority services and travel enhancements to eligible members.
The integration of the two airlines’ loyalty memberships followed the two carriers’ interline agreement. The reciprocal agreement allows customers on JetBlue or United to earn and redeem points on either airline’s website. Perks include priority boarding, complimentary access to extra legroom seating, priority check-in and security (where applicable), complimentary preferred seat selection, free checked bags, and same-day standby options.
The collaboration lets JetBlue exchange landing and takeoff slots with United at the covered New York (JFK) airport. This allows United seven daily round-trip flights to the airport from 2027. This also saw United exchange eight slots for JetBlue to expand operations at Newark (EWR).
A Drop In 528 Flights To New York This Fall
Looking at the data from Cirium, JetBlue’s service reductions to New York will see a drop of 528 flights in October, a reduction of 17 fewer flights each day. Overall, this is a reduction of 7.2% of daily operations, and a total of 69,904 seats across the month. Despite JetBlue’s reduction in services, TrueBlue members don’t need to panic, as they can still earn and redeem their miles with partner carrier United Airlines.
New York has faced a number of JetBlue route cuts and adjustments this year, including its Newark to Los Angeles service ending on October 14, Newark to Las Vegas ending on June 10, and New York JFK to Vero Beach being cut in September due to low demand. Daytona Beach was also shaved, while other transcontinental reductions were trimmed on underperforming services.
Using data from The Frequent Flyer, JetBlue is the fifth-largest airline at Newark, and second-largest at New York JFK. Full details of each
airline’s New York operations in the table below:
|
Airport |
JetBlue |
United Airlines |
|---|---|---|
|
Newark (EWR) |
Five year-round routes, one seasonal |
93 year-round, 55 seasonal |
|
New York (JFK) |
67 year-round, 15 seasonal |
Zero currently |
|
LaGuardia (LGA) |
Three year-round routes, one seasonal |
Four year-round |
More Details On The JetBlue And United Airlines Partnership
JetBlue and United’s collaboration as part of Blue Sky linked loyalty programs to give travelers more choices when they are looking to travel. Travelers can earn and spend miles on either carrier, and travelers can easily book flights on either airline’s website by using cash, points, or miles. It is not possible to merge both MileagePlus and TrueBlue balances into one account.
Benefits for members include enjoying two award-winning loyalty programs and access to Premier benefits. Blue Sky ensures that MileagePlus miles and TrueBlue points will never expire, and it’s free to sign up and join. There is an ability to pool miles, where you can merge your MileagePlus miles with friends and family members to get to your next destination quicker than before.
BlueSky is a major added benefit for New York travelers, as it provides a bridge for both the United and JetBlue networks. This will see United eventually return to New York JFK and provide additional capacity for JetBlue at Newark. United is the largest airline in the US by fleet size, with more than 1,000 aircraft. Queens-based carrier JetBlue, on the other hand, has a more modest fleet of 295 all-Airbus jets.
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