JetBlue closing in on newest partnership with a US airline: Here's what we know
Within the next two months, JetBlue is expected to announce its next major airline partnership, executives said this week.
Now, speculation is swirling over which airline that will be — and what it will mean for frequent flyers.
Speaking on the company's first-quarter earnings call Tuesday, JetBlue President Marty St. George said that the airline planned to announce its newest tie-up with another major carrier by the end of the second quarter, which runs through the end of June.
"I think we're getting very close to making an announcement," St. George said. "We have made good progress on discussions."
The airline in question, St. George said, will be a domestic U.S. carrier that has a bigger network than JetBlue.
Only five fit that category: the "Big Three" legacy U.S. carriers, along with Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
It's not Alaska, TPG confirmed.
It's also not American, JetBlue's former Northeast Alliance partner, as the carrier said on Monday that talks between it and JetBlue about a revived partnership fell apart (and it's now suing JetBlue).
Adding fuel to the speculation: Reuters on Tuesday reported that JetBlue is, in fact, in talks with another major carrier, United Airlines, citing sources familiar with the reportedly ongoing negotiations. TPG has not independently verified that reporting, and both carriers have declined to comment on the reported talks.
Asked about the reports, a JetBlue spokesperson deferred to commentary on this week's earnings call.
As TPG reported on Tuesday, during that call, JetBlue leaders said that they hoped a new airline partnership would open up new destinations for travelers hoping to earn and redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points. The idea: to essentially broaden the network of an airline that bases a significant portion of its operation on the East Coast.
"Just a sort of better opportunity for our customers to fly more places with more frequency," St. George said.
For months, JetBlue has publicly acknowledged that it hopes to find a new airline partner that would largely fill a void created in 2023 when a federal judge ordered the end of its NEA with American on antitrust grounds.
Last year, JetBlue announced a comprehensive strategy called "JetForward" meant to return the airline to profitability. The plan included the airline's new airport lounges set to open later this year, its new domestic first-class seats and a partnership with another airline (among other elements).
But, according to St. George, the deal JetBlue is now eyeing is bigger than what the company had anticipated last year.
"We do have a number in JetForward for partnerships," he told analysts Tuesday while speaking about the potential financial benefit. "It is a number that does not assume a partnership of this size."
For its part, JetBlue already has a handful of loyalty partnerships that allow TrueBlue members to earn and redeem points with international carriers, from Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways in the Middle East to Singapore Airlines in Asia. Last week, the carrier announced a new loyalty deal with Japan Airlines that quickly presented JetBlue loyalists with new sweet-spot redemption opportunities on flights to Asia.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees