Jan 14, 21, 12:41 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
American Airlines announced a new strategic partnership including codesharing on some routes in July 2020. In January 2021, several other enhancements to this partnership were announced, including:
Important components of the alliance will be introduced starting in the first quarter of 2021 and phased in over the course of the year:
Link to January 12, 2021, AA news release
As of Jan 31st, 2022 - Benefits typically do not show up when managing the booking and will show up when checking in online.
To receive elite benefits add your AAdvantage number at time of purchase, or contact JetBlue customer service to add it after purchase.
JetBlue Basic: AA elites still get free seat selection and a free bag on Blue Basic fares. All passengers are allowed to bring on board a personal item that fits under the seat. However you do not get to bring a free full size carry-on with Blue Basic except when you select an Even More Space seat.
AA Loyalty Points can take a week to post.
AA Link to Benefits page
Important components of the alliance will be introduced starting in the first quarter of 2021 and phased in over the course of the year:
- Seamless customer experience
With each element of the alliance, customers flying in and out of New York and Boston will enjoy a more seamless experience across both airlines, including the ability to book a single itinerary on either website, access to the alliances significant global network, convenient connections, access to loyalty benefits and an improved on-the-ground experience resulting in a compelling proposition for both leisure and corporate customers. - Network alignment in the Northeast
The alliance will offer customers the largest network in New York City and Boston, and it will enable new strategic growth opportunities for both airlines, accelerate the replacement of small regional jets with larger aircraft, while greatly expanding the connectivity between each carriers network in the Northeast. American will upgauge aircraft and by the end of 2021 will operate all service out of New York with first class. Starting in the first half of 2021, JetBlue and American schedules in New York and Boston will begin to be aligned to give customers new flight options, with improved schedules, better connections, competitive fares and access to more domestic and international destinations. - Expanded service in the Northeast
As part of the alliance, JetBlue plans to significantly expand its service at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), as well as further expand in other NYC airports and in Boston. The alliance will also allow JetBlue to reactivate aircraft that would otherwise sit idle. An expanded operation at LaGuardia further advances JetBlues position as New Yorks Hometown Airline and accelerates the airlines ability to recover.
As previously announced, American is introducing brand new service on from New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv (TLV) and Athens (ATH). Americans loyal customers in New York will be introduced to their first long-haul international service in more than four years, with even more new routes on the way. - Codeshare agreement
Starting later this quarter, JetBlue will place its B6 code on a variety of American flights in New York and Boston. Likewise, American will place its AA code on select JetBlue flights also in at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) airports, as well as Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Flights touching New York or Boston from either JetBlue, American or connecting combinations of both will be bookable on jetblue.com and aa.com in the coming weeks. The codeshare will introduce JetBlue customers to more than 60 new routes operated by American and will introduce Americans customers to more than 130 new routes operated by JetBlue. - Reciprocal loyalty benefits
Later this year, customers of both JetBlues TrueBlue and Americans AAdvantage programs will be able to enjoy reciprocal benefits, including the ability to earn and/or redeem points or miles on either carrier making both loyalty program even more valuable. The airlines are also exploring opportunities to recognize JetBlue Mosaic customers and Americans AAdvantage elite members across both airlines. More details will be announced to loyalty program members later this year.
Link to January 12, 2021, AA news release
As of Jan 31st, 2022 - Benefits typically do not show up when managing the booking and will show up when checking in online.
To receive elite benefits add your AAdvantage number at time of purchase, or contact JetBlue customer service to add it after purchase.
JetBlue Basic: AA elites still get free seat selection and a free bag on Blue Basic fares. All passengers are allowed to bring on board a personal item that fits under the seat. However you do not get to bring a free full size carry-on with Blue Basic except when you select an Even More Space seat.
AA Loyalty Points can take a week to post.
AA Link to Benefits page
AA & B6 (JetBlue) enhance Partnership: codesharing, coordination, status & earning
Jul 16, 20, 11:53 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2016
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This is fantastic news for me. My transcon situation connecting on the east coast for flights to the EU will improve exponentially. I’m very pleasantly surprised with the excellent strategic planning and new partnerships AA is forging in the middle of this virus crisis. The Alaska and Qatar moves are also great news for some of us.
Jul 16, 20, 12:10 pm
#32
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Jul 16, 20, 12:37 pm
#33
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Many of the questions posed in this thread are answered in the full release and presentation on both the B6 and AA investor relations websites. SEC rules require that everything material be disclosed. Thus, if it is not disclosed, you can reasonably infer that it is not yet decided, so an open question for later.
Still clearly left open are the regulatory approvals which include DOJ and DOT for the competition issues, but also who gets to keep and if not, who gets, slots at LGA & DCA.
Still clearly left open are the regulatory approvals which include DOJ and DOT for the competition issues, but also who gets to keep and if not, who gets, slots at LGA & DCA.
Jul 16, 20, 12:49 pm
#34
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My guess is EQD/EQM only on the codeshare tickets on B6 metal. The government would see this as a lot more anti-competitive if AA elites got EQD/EQM on any B6 flight. Also, it would make the reciprocal math hard. B6 doesn't have an elite program to speak of, so this would make the program much more expensive for AA than it already is.
Airside T5-T8 shuttle at JFK is a no-brainer.
Airside T5-T8 shuttle at JFK is a no-brainer.
Jul 16, 20, 12:55 pm
#35
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My guess is EQD/EQM only on the codeshare tickets on B6 metal. The government would see this as a lot more anti-competitive if AA elites got EQD/EQM on any B6 flight. Also, it would make the reciprocal math hard. B6 doesn't have an elite program to speak of, so this would make the program much more expensive for AA than it already is.
Jul 16, 20, 12:55 pm
#36
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Interesting news. Questions:
1) Will there be EQM/EQD earning when flying Jetblue flights?
2) Will there be an airside shuttle between T8/T5 at JFK?
3) Will gov't approve a codeshare on the B6 Transcons given the broad alliance with AS. Probably 80%+ (guess) of the JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA transcons would be in OW or AA coded with only DL as an alternative IIRC.
1) Will there be EQM/EQD earning when flying Jetblue flights?
2) Will there be an airside shuttle between T8/T5 at JFK?
3) Will gov't approve a codeshare on the B6 Transcons given the broad alliance with AS. Probably 80%+ (guess) of the JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA transcons would be in OW or AA coded with only DL as an alternative IIRC.
4) Will A elites be able to pick B6 "Even More Space" seats for free?
5) Does flying B6 get you Admirals Club access if you are an AC member?
Jul 16, 20, 2:05 pm
#37
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Jul 16, 20, 2:28 pm
#38
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Jul 16, 20, 3:53 pm
#39
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I'm pretty sure the government doesn't care about EQD/EQM earnings when considering these types of things.
I would think the government would have a lot to say about at least the JFK-LAX/SFO routes, where B6 and AA are robust competitors with Mint and the A321T product. I'm pretty surprised by AA and B6 talking about each other's premium product, implying some sort of cooperation there; hard for me to see how that would pass antitrust scrutiny. Of course, this is a very different administration than we had in 2013.
Jul 16, 20, 3:59 pm
#40
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AA's move is interesting, but in the current climate everything is really up for grabs. The AA/B6 partnership in NYC feels like an "also ran" that will benefit leisure pax more than those traveling for business. How many business pax heading into Manhattan will preferentially fly into JFK over LGA or even EWR? Sure, the B6 partnership will support TATL traffic but I feel like this benefits B6 more than it does AA.
As for comments made earlier about AA locking up the South, I would not speak too quickly. I see a future where DL grows AUS from a focus city to a hub. Will it ever be the size of DFW? Probably not, but it'll be a viable connecting option over DFW and IAH. This is, of course, years down the road but given the speed at which the Austin metro area is growing it fast becoming capable of supporting a hub. AA's future in PHX is, IMHO, in question. PHX is a leisure destination and the competition with WN is fierce. Why would AA continue to invest here when there are other markets when they can do better?
Last but not least, AA needs to watch its back in MIA. DL is not trying to build a full hub there but they have signaled they are going to grow to popular business destinations. Could create an issue for AA.
As for comments made earlier about AA locking up the South, I would not speak too quickly. I see a future where DL grows AUS from a focus city to a hub. Will it ever be the size of DFW? Probably not, but it'll be a viable connecting option over DFW and IAH. This is, of course, years down the road but given the speed at which the Austin metro area is growing it fast becoming capable of supporting a hub. AA's future in PHX is, IMHO, in question. PHX is a leisure destination and the competition with WN is fierce. Why would AA continue to invest here when there are other markets when they can do better?
Last but not least, AA needs to watch its back in MIA. DL is not trying to build a full hub there but they have signaled they are going to grow to popular business destinations. Could create an issue for AA.
Jul 16, 20, 4:03 pm
#41
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Yes, only for JetBlue flight. In 2021 JetBlue will decide to which London airports will be. Either LHR, LGW, STN, LTN. They will choose.
Jul 16, 20, 6:59 pm
#42
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Originally Posted by AA Press Release
JetBlue will gain connectivity to more U.S. destinations, a broad global network and an improved frequent flyer proposition
Jul 16, 20, 7:09 pm
#43
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Many of the questions posed in this thread are answered in the full release and presentation on both the B6 and AA investor relations websites. SEC rules require that everything material be disclosed. Thus, if it is not disclosed, you can reasonably infer that it is not yet decided, so an open question for later.
That said, if either airline determines that this partnership is a material agreement not made in the ordinary course of business, it will need to be publicly filed, subject to the right of the airlines to petition the SEC to redact portions that are sensitive from a competitive standpoint.
Jul 16, 20, 7:47 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2005
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AA sought the AS/B6 partnerships because the airline dropped the ball on developing and implementing strong strategies for serving the most lucrative domestic markets. Delta and United, for all their flaws, don't have that problem. True, UA will have to rethink its fleet mix and network strategy for EWR, but it's starting from a stronger position than the constantly-retreating-in-metro-NYC AA.
AA had a weak hand to play, and they just dealt it. No doubt this is a sort of desperate act, but let us see how this turns out.
Last edited by tuolumne; Jul 16, 20 at 10:01 pm
Jul 16, 20, 8:09 pm
#45
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I think AA also knows the writing is on the wall for a UAL return to JFK soon (a terrible decision by UAL but lets leave that for another day), and that isn't exactly good news for the questionable enterprise that is AA at JFK.
AA had a weak hand to play, and they just dealt it. No doubt this is a sort of desperate act, but let us see how this turns out.
AA had a weak hand to play, and they just dealt it. No doubt this is a sort of desperate act, but let us see how this turns out.
I feel like UA competition was about the last thing that drove this decision.
