The United States DOT has approved the collaboration between JetBlue Airways and United Airlines, allowing implementation to proceed despite objections from Spirit Airlines.
Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s chief executive, stated that the partnership will enhance customer benefits and connectivity through the loyalty scheme.
Spirit Airlines argued that the collaboration is anti-competitive and raised concerns about its similarity to a prior joint venture with American Airlines.
JetBlue will provide United access to up to seven daily round-trip flights from New York JFK starting in 2027, while also exchanging eight flight timings at Newark.
Ursula Hurley, JetBlue’s chief financial officer, mentioned improvements in the number of aircraft on the ground due to engine recalls, with expectations to average fewer than ten aircraft on ground in the remainder of 2025.
Joanna Geraghty shared, “The collaboration will benefit customers and increase the utility of the carrier’s loyalty scheme while enabling JetBlue to sell nearly all of its flights on United’s website via a traditional interline agreement and vice versa.”
Ursula Hurley shared, “The company now expects to average fewer than ten aircraft on the ground for the remainder of 2025, down from mid-to-high teens. 2025 now represents the peak, with the number set to reduce in 2026 and fully resolve by the end of 2027.”
