JetBlue and United Airlines have unveiled a landmark loyalty partnership that will see the two carriers link their rewards programmes and share airport access in the New York area.
The announcement of the “Blue Sky” alliance marks a strategic shift for both carriers, particularly as United regains a foothold at New York JFK after a two-year absence.
Set to roll out from this autumn, the deal allows United’s MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, while JetBlue’s TrueBlue members will enjoy similar privileges across United’s extensive domestic and international network. Priority boarding, preferred seating and other elite benefits will also be honoured reciprocally between the two programmes.
Unlike a full codeshare, the alliance operates under an interline agreement—meaning each airline retains control over its own branding, flight numbers and pricing. However, flights will be available for booking across both airlines’ websites and apps.
The move delivers key infrastructure gains for both. From 2027, JetBlue will provide United with access to up to seven daily round-trip slots at JFK’s Terminal 6. Meanwhile, the carriers will swap eight peak-hour flight slots at Newark Liberty International, strengthening JetBlue’s position there and signalling United’s return to JFK after its exit in 2022.
The partnership also extends into the corporate travel space. While United and JetBlue will continue managing their commercial accounts independently, they may offer reciprocal benefits to corporate clients—including extending negotiated discounts across each other’s operated flights. This creates the potential for streamlined travel procurement options for corporate buyers.
In a separate development aimed at small and midsized enterprises (SMEs), IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a new tie-up with Singapore Airlines (SIA), enhancing benefits for business travel loyalty members. The deal will allow SIA’s HighFlyer members—its SME-focused loyalty programme—to receive complimentary Gold Elite status within IHG’s Business Edge programme, IHG’s dedicated SME travel platform launched in 2018.
The Gold Elite tier grants access to flexible cancellations, guaranteed room discounts, late checkout and other perks. The move is designed to incentivise sign-ups and loyalty among SME travellers, a fast-growing and often underserved segment of the business travel market.
Singapore Airlines’ HighFlyer programme already allows small businesses to earn points that can be redeemed for future travel or used to offset costs. IHG’s Business Edge offers exclusive hotel rates and benefits for smaller firms, and the new alliance enhances cross-brand appeal.
The two announcements reflect a broader trend in the travel industry, where airlines and hotels are increasingly forging partnerships to grow loyalty and market share through enriched customer experiences. Speaking on the SIA deal, Vivek Bhalla, IHG’s managing director for South East Asia and Korea, said the partnership allows the hotel group to “reach a wider group of travellers” and “create differentiated experiences”.
IHG confirmed that the SIA partnership follows a similar SME-focused collaboration with Virgin Australia, launched a year earlier.
Together, these alliances highlight a growing convergence between airlines and hotel groups as they compete to offer greater value to frequent business travellers and SMEs—segments that continue to show strong resilience and demand in the post-pandemic travel recovery.