JetBlue and British Airways are planning an extensive codeshare network, marking the establishment of a new partnership between the two carriers. The two airlines have outlined their plans to codeshare on nearly a hundred routes in a joint filing with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).
JetBlue and British Airways’ Extensive US Codeshare Plans
In their application to the DOT, British Airways and JetBlue have stated their intention to begin codeshare operations on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. British Airways will place its designator code on certain JetBlue flights within the United States and JetBlue will do the same on select British Airways flights in Europe.
The airlines plan to codeshare on 39 routes from New York City. JetBlue has a base at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), as well as a small network out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Meanwhile, British Airways flies to both airports from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and serves JFK from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) as well. As the application lists the planned routes using the “NYC” code, it is not clear at this time whether JetBlue’s Newark routes will be included in the codeshare agreement.
JetBlue also has an extensive network from its base at Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS). In addition to the New York routes, the two carriers also plan to codeshare on 36 routes out of Boston.
British Airways directly serves several of the planned JetBlue codeshare destinations, but the new agreement opens the door to more connecting options and additional traffic for the carrier’s transatlantic flights. The airline is also part of a transatlantic joint venture with American Airlines – along with Aer Lingus, Finnair, Iberia, and LEVEL – and codeshares extensively with its oneworld alliance partner.
Planned Codeshare Routes in Europe
On the other side of the Atlantic, the two airlines plan to codeshare on 16 British Airways routes from London. JetBlue serves both London Heathrow and London Gatwick, but most of the listed British Airways routes are only served out of London Heathrow.
JetBlue is likely anticipating that these routes will boost the performance of its transatlantic routes by bringing in passengers who are connecting to destinations beyond London. The airline recently reduced its European schedule for the upcoming winter season – suspending service on its New York–JFK and Boston to London Gatwick routes and reducing frequency on its New York–JFK to Paris route – citing route underperformance.
