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JetBlue and American Begin Alliance Implementation Following DOT Review

JetBlue and American Airlines will move forward with their planned alliance, after the U.S. Department of Transportation ended their review of the plans. Focused on the Northeast, American and JetBlue will begin codesharing, allowing flyers to book seamless itineraries with both airlines and grant access to loyalty benefits.

With the U.S. Department of Transportation ending their review into the proposed American Airlines-JetBlue alliance, the two carriers are primed to begin putting their plans into action. In a press release, JetBlue announced how the airlines will work together to create a new customer experience focused on New York and the Northeast.

Plans Include Codeshare Agreement, Expanded Northeast Footprint and Network Alignment

Under the alliance, the two will work together to allow flyers to book a seamless itinerary on either the American or JetBlue websites. To achieve this, the two will start operating codeshare flights on select routes. Both airlines will soon begin carrying each other’s codes on flights out of all three New York airports and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

In addition, the two will begin aligning their networks across New England, in order to facilitate strategic growth opportunities. The goal is to replace regional jets with larger aircraft, while adding more connection options for flyers connecting on both airlines. In the first six months of 2021, both airlines anticipating offering “new flight options, with improved schedules, better connections, competitive fares and access to more domestic and international destinations.”

The two carriers are also exploring ways to add value for elite members of both American AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue beyond earning and using miles in both programs aboard both carriers. More details are expected to be announced later in 2021.

The American-JetBlue alliance comes at a cost to both airlines. For the DOT to drop their review of the proposal, the airlines made commitments to ensure capacity expansion, divested slots at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and will refrain from “certain kinds of coordination” in city pairs where they are significant competitors to one another.

“With this alliance, American and JetBlue will operate the biggest network for our customers in the Northeast, which will allow American to grow our mainline operations as we recover from the pandemic,” Vasu Raja, chief revenue officer for American, said in a press release. “We are already planning to launch new international routes to Athens and Tel Aviv this summer, which are just two of many new routes we plan to launch.”

American-JetBlue Alliance Second Big Move in 2021 for Legacy Carrier

While their alliance with JetBlue solidifies their standing in the Northeast, the move is one of two the Fort Worth-based carrier is making to strengthen their network. With Alaska Airlines joining the Oneworld alliance in 2021, both carriers have announced how they will align with each other to provide a smooth experience for their travelers.

3 Comments
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mvoight January 19, 2021

The booking info should clearly tells you which carrier you are flying If using AA.com it will says "Operated by " if it is not operated by America Even American Eagle flights show the real carrier name Alaska is independent. They join OneWorld in Marcy

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Bootman4U January 15, 2021

I am certain there are ways one can find out exactly which "metal" one will actually be traveling on prior to commitment

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BC Shelby January 13, 2021

...never cared for these alliances as I'd like to be sure the flight I book is actually on JetBlue not American. Bad enough Alaska no longer is independent.