In May 2025, United and JetBlue announced plans to roll out a partnership, which is being marketed as Blue Sky. It’s a quirky collaboration that seems odd on the surface.
For United, it’s clearly motivated by the desire to compete with Delta in Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK), and to prevent JetBlue from partnering with another major US airline. Meanwhile for JetBlue, it’s about partnering with whatever airline gives the company the most financial upside.
In October 2025, we saw the two airlines roll out the first phase of reciprocity with this partnership, which included reciprocal points earning and redemption opportunities. Then in February 2026, we saw the airlines roll out reciprocal flight bookings. The next step in this partnership is now being introduced, and that includes reciprocal elite perks, which I know many people have been looking forward to.
United MileagePlus & JetBlue TrueBlue reciprocal elite perks
Beginning this week, United MileagePlus and JetBlue TrueBlue members can start enjoying reciprocal loyalty perks and benefits when traveling across the networks of both carriers. Eligible loyalty program members can now expect perks when including their frequent flyer number on a reservation.
Here are the United MileagePlus elite perks when traveling on JetBlue:
- When it comes to priority boarding, MileagePlus Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members can board with Group 1, Premier Gold members can board with Group 2, and Premier Silver members can board with Group 3
- When it comes to seating, all MileagePlus Premier elite members are eligible for preferred seating at the time of booking, and EvenMore seating based on availability at check-in
- Priority check-in and security is available to all MileagePlus Premier elite members
- One complimentary checked bag and priority baggage handling is available to all MileagePlus Premier elite members
- Same day standby options are available to all MileagePlus Premier elite members
Here are the JetBlue TrueBlue elite perks when traveling on United:
- When it comes to priority boarding, JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic 2, 3, and 4 members can board with Group 1, and Mosaic 1 members can board with Group 2
- When it comes to seating, all TrueBlue Mosaic elite members are eligible for preferred seating at the time of booking, and Economy Plus seating based on availability at check-in
- Priority check-in and security is available to all TrueBlue elite members
- One complimentary checked bag and priority baggage handling is available to all TrueBlue elite members
- Same day standby options are available to all JetBlue TrueBlue elite members
This is a great development for loyalty members, but…
Admittedly elite members on each airline will still receive stronger perks when traveling on their “native” airline, though this is still a huge step in the right direction.
As you can see, this covers most of the basic perks associated with elite status, but there’s nothing in the way of confirmed extra legroom seating in advance, or first class or Mint upgrades (not that you’d expect there to be).
Between this and reciprocal points earning opportunities, I think this is a real incentive for elite members to travel on the other airline when the schedule is best. For example, if you’re a United elite member and value flying out of JFK over EWR, then unlocking elite perks on JetBlue is a major incentive that could cause people to finally actually consider the other airline.
We’ve seen a phased introduction to reciprocity, and this now basically wraps up that project. The only other thing that’s pending is that United is in theory supposed to get some gate space from JetBlue at JFK, come 2027.
Now, I’m still struggling to see how JetBlue is seeing massive upside with this partnership, at least based on its financial results. It doesn’t seem like this partnership has materially contributed in a positive way. At the beginning, the belief was that the Blue Sky partnership was basically a “foot in the door” approach to eventually merging, in the sense that easing into it would put regulators at ease more.
However, at this point I think a deal with JetBlue and United would be approved, yet we’re not actually seeing much movement. We’re just seeing JetBlue continue to lose money and rack up debt. I’m not sure if after so much big talk, United CEO Scott Kirby has decided he doesn’t want to take on JetBlue’s debt, if it was all an act, or what.
Maybe he first wants the airline to go through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, though that also doesn’t really seem in the best interest of shareholders (who JetBlue’s current leadership is supposed to report to). So yeah, we’ll see how this all plays out.
I still think JetBlue is getting the short end of the stick here. JetBlue is just going to give United gates at JFK to compete directly with it on transcontinental flights? And that’s supposed to be good for JetBlue? I’ve gotta say, while I was happy to see a JetBlue management shakeup a couple of years back, I can’t say I’ve been impressed by the results they’ve achieving. Anyway, I’m straying too far off topic here…
Bottom line
United MileagePlus and JetBlue TrueBlue are finally rolling out reciprocal elite perks. You can expect basic priority services between the two airlines, including priority check-in, one free checked bag, extra legroom seating at check-in, and more.
This will certainly make more people consider flying the other airline, since there will be some level of decent reciprocity.
Aside from JetBlue possibly giving United some gate space at JFK next year, this seems to be the end of the rollout of this partnership. Now we just have to see if there’s another shoe that’s going to drop eventually…
What do you make of these reciprocal elite perks?
