the wing of an airplane

JetBlue and United have received approval from the Department of Transportation to move ahead with their Blue Sky collaboration, offering new loyalty perks and booking flexibility.

United and JetBlue Gain DOT Approval for Blue Sky Collaboration

JetBlue and United Airlines announced on July 29, 2025, that the U.S. Department of Transportation has completed its review of their joint initiative called Blue Sky. That means the collaboration can now proceed toward phased implementation starting this fall.

Here are the key customer benefits Blue Sky will deliver:

Mileage and Points Earning: United MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, and JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn and redeem points across United’s domestic and international network.
Cross-Booking Capability: Flights from both airlines will be bookable on each other’s websites and mobile apps via an interline agreement.
Reciprocal Loyalty Perks: Members will receive benefits like priority boarding, preferred or extra-legroom seating, complimentary checked bags, and same-day standby or flight change options when flying either airline.
Slot and Terminal Access: JetBlue will provide United with up to seven daily round-trip slots at JFK Terminal 6 beginning “as early as” 2027 (that’s quite a wait…). The two carriers will also exchange eight slot pairs at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Ancillary Integration: United will migrate its third-party travel services (hotels, rental cars, cruises, and insurance) to JetBlue’s Paisly platform for a unified booking experience.

Marty St. George, JetBlue’s President, touted the pivot of United to JetBlue’s Paisly platform:

“We believe Blue Sky will enable each airline to offer its customers access to hundreds of new flights and destinations through a traditional interline agreement, with the opportunity to earn and redeem loyalty points and miles across each other’s networks. United has agreed to transition its distribution of non-flight ancillaries such as hotels, rental cars, and more to our travel products subsidiary Paisly – turbocharging Paisly’s high-margin growth.”

The news comes as JetBlue revealed a 2025 Q2 loss of $0.21 per share and a 3% decline in revenue versus the same period in 2024, with operating expenses down only 0.9%.

Both airlines emphasized that they will remain independent carriers with separate schedules and pricing structures. The Blue Sky collaboration is not a merger or codeshare agreement, but a loyalty- and booking-focused partnership designed to enhance customer experience without limiting competition.

United stated that the partnership is expected to generate approximately $50 million in incremental annual profit. Both United and JetBlue expressed gratitude to the Department of Transportation (DOT), particularly Secretary Sean Duffy and the review team, for completing the regulatory process.

CONCLUSION

With regulatory clearance secured, United and JetBlue will begin rolling out the Blue Sky partnership in phases this fall. Travelers will gain access to a broader network, more earning and redemption options, and cross-airline perks while retaining the benefits of each airline’s independent identity. This partnership could meaningfully reshape the loyalty landscape without the baggage of a formal merger…but we’ll have to wait and see for now.

Frontier Passenger Claims Sovereignty Over Seven Continents

A Frontier Airlines passenger demanded the aircraft return to the gate, declaring themselves to be the "Sovereign Ruler" of "The Seven Continents." The bizarre incident left fellow passengers and crew members stunned as the individual insisted on their authority over all landmasses.

The situation was finally resolved when authorities were called to escort the passenger off the plane, allowing the flight to continue to its destination. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the challenges that crew members sometimes face.

Delta Considers Unbundling Business Class Services

Delta Air Lines is exploring the possibility of unbundling its business class services, a move that could potentially reshape the premium travel market. If Delta decides to proceed with the unbundling, it is likely that other major carriers like American Airlines and United Airlines will follow suit, leading to significant changes in the way business class travel is offered and experienced.

The decision to unbundle business class services would have financial implications for both the airlines and their customers, as it could result in a more à la carte approach to premium travel. It remains to be seen how passengers will respond to these potential changes and whether they will ultimately benefit from more personalized and flexible options.

Lufthansa CEO Expresses Concerns Over German Aviation Future

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr has raised concerns about the future of German aviation, citing high taxes and fees at German airports as major obstacles for the industry. Spohr's comments come in the wake of service cuts announced by Ryanair and Eurowings in Germany, highlighting the challenges faced by airlines operating in the country.

The uncertain outlook for German aviation underscores the need for government support and industry cooperation to overcome the obstacles that are hindering growth and profitability. As airlines navigate a rapidly changing landscape, proactive measures will be essential to ensure the sustainability of the aviation sector in Germany.

6 Comments

Paper Boarding Pass Reply
July 30, 2025 at 10:09 am
As I said on another platform, this is just icing on the cake.
For long term survival, B6 needs membership in Star which UA has veto power as a founding member. With membership, B6 could handle the domestic leg of Star airlines at JFK and BOS providing necessary incremental revenue and enhancing the value of TrueBlue.
Plan B would have Luft Group buy a portion of B6 as a footprint into North America as it has done with it Euro expansion via ITA and AirBaltic.
Gene Reply
July 30, 2025 at 2:13 pm
With Scott Kirby having gone out of his way to kiss Trump’s butt and do all but pour the orange guy’s morning coffee, there should be no surprised this was approved. Whether or not this really benefits NYC area travelers long term, I have my doubts.
- bigkeoni Reply
  July 30, 2025 at 3:09 pm
  You are so right on so many levels. Funny that B6 and UA is ok with the government but the AA and B6 is not ok.
- Vic Pla Reply
  July 30, 2025 at 6:50 pm
  So did Bezos, Zuckerberg and a host other bigwigs. It’s all about political maneuvering and posturing. Blue Sky would be more beneficial to the traveling public especially the very busy NE corridor rather than the very monopolistic NE alliance with AA, who already has a fortress hubs in PHL & DCA and a very large presence in LGA, JFK & BOS.
- Tim Dunn Reply
  July 31, 2025 at 7:55 am
  and yet the Trump DOT slapped EWR w/ capacity restrictions that cost UA 15% of its EWR flights and handedly made DL the largest airline in NYC.
  Successful influence doesn’t give your competitor a 50% advantage in the domestic market, a share advantage overall, and 33% more flights
Richard Reply
July 31, 2025 at 9:29 pm
It would be nice if JetBlue got access to UA’s lounges, since it’s sadly lacking in that department other than the hope of JFK and BOS lounges.