We have known for some time that American and JetBlue are establishing a strategic alliance in the Northeast. Well, there was a big announcement on the front today, as the US and JetBlue plan to share on February 25, 2021 (which is a week from today).
In addition to announcing plans to adjust schedules in different markets, American and JetBlue announced a total of 33 new routes, which I wanted to discuss in this post. In no particular order, this is what we can expect:
American’s International Expansion in New York
From May 6, 2021, American Airlines will add the following new annual routes to Latin America from JFK of New York:
- New York to Santiago, Chile (SCL) – 3x weekly flights with a 777-200
- New York to Bogota, Colombia (BOG) – use an A319 daily
- New York to Cali, Colombia (CLO) – daily by A319
- New York to Medellin, Colombia (MDE) – use an A319 daily
In addition, American adds two new seasonal, Saturday-only routes to the Caribbean from New York JFK:
- New York and St. Lucia (UVF) – using a 737-800
- New York to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (PLS) – Using a 737-800
It is a complement to American’s previously announced international expansion to New York, including Athens, Rio de Janeiro and Tel Aviv.
American flies from New York to Santiago
US domestic expansion in the Northeast
American Airlines is adding a dozen new domestic routes from Boston and New York airports, some of which may come as a surprise. These new routes are as follows:
- Boston (BOS) to Asheville, North Carolina (AVL) – Seasonal
- Boston (BOS) to Columbus, Ohio (CMH) – all year round
- Boston (BOS) to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) – Seasonal
- Boston (BOS) to Traverse City, Michigan (TVC) – Seasonal
- Boston (BOS) to Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM) – Seasonal
- New York (JFK) to Orange County, California (SNA) – all year round
- New York (LGA) to Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) – all year round
- New York (LGA) to Key West, Florida (EYW) – Seasonal
- New York (LGA) to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
- New York (LGA) to Pensacola, Florida (PNS) – Seasonal
- New York (LGA) to Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) – Seasonal
- New York (LGA) to Savannah, Georgia (SAV) – Seasonal
American will fly A321Ts from New York to Orange County
JetBlue’s Northeast Expansion
JetBlue Airways is adding well over a dozen new routes from the northeast, with a particular focus on Newark. These routes include the following:
- New York (JFK) to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) – Seasonal
- New York (JFK) to Boise, Idaho (BOI) – Seasonal
- Newark (EWR) and St. John’s, Antigua (ANU) – all year round
- Newark (EWR) to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN) – all year round
- Newark (EWR) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) – all year round
- Newark (EWR) to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) – Seasonal
- Newark (EWR) to Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) – Seasonal
- Newark (EWR) to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) – all year round
- Newark (EWR) to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) – all year round
- Newark (EWR) to Seattle, Washington (SEA) – Seasonal
- Newark (EWR) and St. Lucia (UVF) – all year round
- Newark (EWR) and St. Thomas, USVI (STT) – all year round
- New York (LGA) to Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) – all year round
- New York (LGA) to Denver, Colorado (DEN) – all year round
- New York (LGA) to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) – Seasonal
JetBlue expands significantly from Newark
When should we expect mutual loyalty benefits?
While codeshare flights will be launched from next week, US AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue have not yet earned mutual points, points redemptions or elite recognition.
What’s the latest on this front?
- US AAdvantage and JetBlue allow reciprocal points from this spring, although we do not have an exact date
- Over time, there are plans to allow mutual point redemptions, as well as mutual elite recognition
It sounds like we could earn reciprocal miles within a few weeks, while other things might take longer.
American & JetBlue offer reciprocal points earned
I adopt the US and JetBlue extension
While I would not say there is anything too surprising here, there are a few things I find remarkable about this announcement from American and JetBlue:
- I’m impressed with the speed with which Americans are adding international routes from New York to JFK, with the launch of Santiago service
- JetBlue is definitely going after United at Newark, as the airline is still expanding there
- I’m a little surprised to see Americans adding point-to-point routes out of Boston, as it’s a hub for JetBlue these days, and hardly a focus city for Americans; I suppose Americans may have more of the ability to expand there than JetBlue has
- While the new routes being added are excellent for consumers, it seems to me that we are seeing a significant decrease in the combined service between airports where schedules are similar, such as New York and Los Angeles.
- As I wrote in a separate post about it, I find that the route from New York to Orange County on American is the most important addition as it is driven by an A321T.
American Airlines adds routes in Boston
Bottom line
The new US and JetBlue strategic alliance is finally starting, as the two airlines will start coding from next week. Nearly three dozen new routes are being added, as well as corresponding schedules in other markets.
American and JetBlue should earn reciprocal mileage from this spring, with reciprocal mileage redemptions and elite benefits at a later date.
What are you making of these new American and JetBlue routes?