JetBlue, well known for offering cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, hopes to expand its relationship with American Airlines by the end of 2013.
JetBlue already has an agreement with American whereby JetBlue passengers can connect to 15 international destinations flown by American that are not served by JetBlue. As part of the agreement American can direct its passengers to connect via JetBlue flights on 26 domestic routes not served nonstop by American.
Both airlines offer limited reciprocal frequent flier benefits on those routes. JetBlue has announced that it wants to expand that agreement by adding more options, especially via New York JFK, which is a hub for both American and JetBlue.
In February American and US Airways announced plans to merge. If approved by regulators, the new American Airline would enjoy an additional presence in New York and Boston, cities where JetBlue and American could easily move passengers between each others flights.
JetBlue also has expressed interest in expanding its partnerships with other airlines. Currently JetBlue participates in 23 limited airline partnerships, most of which stop short of full codeshare agreements that permit airlines to place their codes on and sell seats on each others flights. JetBlue is particularly interested in upgrading some of its existing ties for select international partners.
JetBlue is also open to codesharing on international flights operated by a U.S. partner so long as its employees are in agreement.
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