Talks of revised American, JetBlue partnership break down. Now, 1 airline is suing another
Talks of a revived Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue appear to have fallen apart, and now, American is suing its former airline partner.
After months of speculation about a potential reunion between the two airlines, American executives confirmed Monday night the Fort Worth-based carrier had, in fact, been exploring a renewed partnership with JetBlue, which it teamed up with in the now-defunct Northeast-based partnership between 2020 and 2023.
But those discussions, American said, did not lead to a new deal.
"Although we proposed a very attractive proposition to JetBlue and its customers and team, it became clear over time that JetBlue was focused on different business priorities," wrote Steve Johnson, American's vice chair and chief strategy officer.
No encore for AAdvantage-TrueBlue tie-up
The Northeast Alliance between American and JetBlue saw the two carriers join forces at four major Northeast airports in the New York City and Boston metropolitan areas, coordinating on schedules and sharing revenue.
The airlines saw the arrangement as a way to better compete with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, two carriers that hold strong positions in the New York region and throughout the Northeast.
Frequent flyers of the two airlines likely remember the reciprocal loyalty benefits most. Through the partnership, American Airlines AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue members could earn and redeem points or miles on the opposite carrier and take advantage of elite status perks regardless of which airline they were flying on.
A federal judge in 2023 struck down the deep partnership, though, after the Biden administration challenged the deal on antitrust grounds.
But last fall, American and JetBlue seemed to signal that they might be open to some sort of new arrangement under a framework the judge said would have been legally acceptable.
It now appears that won't happen ... and the end of renewed alliance talks between the two airlines isn't happening quietly, either.
American sues JetBlue
American on Monday filed a federal lawsuit in Texas against JetBlue, seeking more than $1 million from the New York-based carrier that's owed, American said, following the unwinding of the former alliance.
According to Johnson, American had paused efforts to collect the money while the two airlines discussed reviving the partnership.
JetBlue: New partnership coming soon
In a statement to TPG, JetBlue declined to comment on the pending litigation, but the carrier reiterated its interest in partnering with another airline — and seemed to tease a new agreement coming between now and the end of June.
Speaking on the company's first-quarter earnings call Tuesday, JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty described the litigation as "not an unexpected turn," but declined to say more.
"We've said we are talking to multiple airlines about a new partnership," a spokesperson for JetBlue told TPG. "We have been making good progress and expect to announce a partnership agreement in the second quarter."
JetBlue President Marty St. George on Tuesday told analysts the airline plans to partner with another U.S.-based airline with a larger network.
Related reading:
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