United and JetBlue announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has completed its review of their Blue Sky partnership and granted them permission to move forward.
“JetBlue and United appreciate Secretary [Sean] Duffy, Assistant Secretary [Daniel] Edwards, and the entire team at the DOT for their review of Blue Sky,” the carriers said in a statement. “JetBlue and United will share more details in the coming weeks as implementation of the Blue Sky collaboration begins.”
It was not immediately clear if any further review by the DOT or another federal agency would eventually take place.
The United-JetBlue partnership, announced in May, allows members of the airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points or miles across both networks. Each airline will offer flights on one another’s website and mobile app.
As part of the agreement, United would resume operations at New York-JFK, while JetBlue would expand its presence at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
United last served JFK in October 2022.
Low-cost carrier Spirit came out against the Blue Sky alliance in June, arguing in a regulatory complaint that it will create “anti-competitive incentives” and turn JetBlue into “a de facto vassal of United.” Some lawmakers in Congress have also questioned the deal and want guarantees that the partnership will not reduce choices for travelers in the New York City metro area.
