JetBlue and United's Blue Sky: book either airline on both sites, with shared elite perks but no lounges

JetBlue and United's partnership, called Blue Sky, keeps adding new pieces. The latest lets you buy flights on either airline from either airline's website. Since May, elite members also get some perks when flying the other airline. But one thing many travelers want is still missing: lounge access.

Here is what Blue Sky offers today and what it doesn't.

Book either airline in one place

Since February 2026, you can buy eligible flights on JetBlue or United from jetblue.com, united.com or either airline's app. The two airlines announced this in a joint release on February 10.

You can pay in three ways:

• Cash, on either site
• JetBlue TrueBlue points, when booking through JetBlue
• United MileagePlus miles, when booking through United

This builds on an earlier phase of Blue Sky in 2025. That phase let TrueBlue and MileagePlus members earn and redeem on both airlines.

There are limits. Some JetBlue routes can't be booked through United. Award seats are limited on busy flights. And for now, you can't book one trip that mixes a JetBlue flight and a United flight. The airlines say that feature will come later.

JetBlue Vacations now sells packages that use United flights too. That opens trips to places JetBlue doesn't fly, such as Japan, Brazil, Italy and Greece.

Elite perks on both airlines

On May 14, 2026, the airlines added shared perks for elite members. If you hold JetBlue Mosaic or United Premier status, add your number to your booking. When you fly the other airline, you get:

• Priority boarding. Mosaic 2, 3 and 4 members board in Group 1 on United. Mosaic 1 members board in Group 2. On JetBlue, United Premier Platinum and 1K members board in Group 1, Gold members in Group 2 and Silver members in Group 3.
• Priority check-in and security, where the airline has those lanes
• Better seats. Free preferred seats after booking, plus free extra-legroom seats at check-in (EvenMore on JetBlue, Economy Plus on United)
• One free checked bag, with priority handling
• Same-day standby options

No lounge access

Blue Sky does not include lounge access. If you have JetBlue Mosaic status, it won't get you into a United Club. If you have United Premier status, it won't get you into JetBlue's BlueHouse. Blue Sky does not include free upgrades on the partner airline either.

That matters more now than it once did. JetBlue had no lounges at all until December 2025. Today it has two: BlueHouse at JFK and BlueHouse Boston. Free access goes to Mosaic 4 members, JetBlue Premier cardholders and passengers on Mint or Mint Flex fares. We covered the new Boston lounge and its access rules here.

United Club access follows United's own rules. Usually you need a United Club membership, a qualifying credit card, or an eligible premium ticket on United or a Star Alliance airline. Blue Sky does not change that.

What comes next

The airlines say more is coming in 2026. United's MileagePlus travel booking service will move to Paisly, which will add hotels, cruises, rental cars and travel insurance. JetBlue will also give United slots for up to seven daily round trips at JFK's new Terminal 6, as soon as 2027.

If you fly both airlines, it's worth adding your loyalty number to every booking. You'll at least get the priority lanes and a free bag. For lounges, check our JetBlue page and United page before you fly.