American’s JetBlue Collaboration Hits a Brick Wall
JetBlue has always danced to its own beat, steering clear of major alliances. Recently, it’s been flirting with several US airlines, and now there’s a juicy development.
American Airlines Waves Goodbye to JetBlue Talks
Flash back to 2021: American and JetBlue kicked off the Northeast Alliance, trying to light up JFK with long-haul routes. The goal? Go toe-to-toe with the big boys like Delta and United in NYC. But wait, plot twist—a judge axed the whole deal, calling it anticompetitive. Why? The duo was shuffling slots and routes like a joint venture. Rumors have been swirling about a trimmed-down partnership between the two since then, but now those whispers have gone silent.
Recent word on the street is that these rekindled chats have fizzled out, or, as a certain insider put it, “gone kaput.” So, American’s flying solo in the Big Apple for now.
AA’s Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer, Steve Johnson, issued an internal memo that lays out the situation. Here’s the juice:
American was all in with an enticing proposal for JetBlue. We wanted to fortify our network with this partnership, making it a win-win for our agenda and serving our passengers with our extensive global network and top-tier AAdvantage perks.
Despite our best efforts, JetBlue had its eyes on other business priorities, and we couldn’t square the circle on a collaboration that ticked all boxes—financially, operationally, or in sync with our loyalty goals.
Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on New York and Boston. This past year, we bounced back with over 20 new routes from LGA and JFK. Plus, summer travelers will get over 250 daily nonstops to 100 places worldwide from NYC. We’re cozying up at JFK with partners like British Airways and Iberia, among others.
The bustling growth in AAdvantage sign-ups makes us confident New York’s got room for everyone. We’re committed to our network, ensuring schedules are peachy keen for U.S. and global travelers.
Proudly, we connect fliers to over 1,000 corners of the globe, with partners who believe in those coveted alliances. Our journey continues, building organically while growing our collabs.
In related news, we’ve filed a lawsuit against JetBlue to reclaim funds after the NEA’s farewell. We hit pause on this while in talks with JetBlue, but now we’re clearing the ledger after the NEA’s curtain call.
The real kicker? Negotiation meltdown details are scant. It’s all hush-hush. Finger-pointing seems to lean towards JetBlue’s foot-dragging, but it’s their take versus American’s insider narrative.
What’s Next for American and JetBlue?
Despite the hiccup, American’s plan to expand its turf in New York is in motion. But the strategy? It’s a bit wobbly. United’s main man, Scott Kirby, throws shade, suggesting American isn’t positioned to become a premium airline without a stronghold in key areas. Ouch!
Is JetBlue swiping right on United instead? Could be. The memo hints that JetBlue’s got its sights on brighter prospects. United, shaking things up since vacating JFK, isn’t shy about wanting back in. Kirby’s betting big on JFK dominance to outshine Delta and is giving JetBlue the eye.
This is all speculation. Tea leaves, anyone? We’re left wondering what’s brewing behind the curtain at JetBlue… might they be mingling with United?
The Takeaway
American’s officially moved on from potential ties with JetBlue. Mind you, the full-scale alliance had already hit a legal snag years back. Yet, a simple, manageable connection between them wasn’t completely off the table—until now.
Despite its JFK dreams, American stumbles as it tries to turn it into an international gateway. Clearly, JetBlue’s backup wouldn’t be unwelcome. What’s really percolating behind closed doors, and where JetBlue’s heart beats next, only time will tell.
Your turn: Thoughts on this update? And when was the last time you hit the slopes at Val Seny ski resort? Quite the spot, isn’t it?