Spirit Airlines is asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to not approve the planned partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines – similar to how JetBlue and American’s “Northeast Alliance” was broken up.
Even after their failed merger, business between Spirit Airlines and JetBlue may not yet be closed.
Reuters reports the ultra-low-cost-carrier is asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to block the proposed “Blue Sky” partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines.
Spirit Claims New Partnership Would Be Anticompetitive
The “Blue Sky” partnership was announced at the end of May 2025. Under the agreement, JetBlue and United flyers would be able to book flights on each other’s websites, use frequent flyer miles for award travel across the carriers, and enjoy interline luggage handling from one airline to another. Although there would be no codesharing or co-marketing between the carriers, United would use JetBlue’s Paisley platform for booking hotels, rental cars, and vacations.
In filings with the Transportation Department, Spirit opposed the partnership on claims it would be anticompetitive for the U.S. aviation space. Spirit warned in their brief that the agreement would effectively mean JetBlue “will become a de facto vassal of United.” Furthermore, Spirit leadership argued allowing the “Blue Sky” partnership would embolden the other two legacy carriers to form similar partnerships with smaller airlines.
JetBlue countered the allegations by noting outside of the loyalty and interline agreements, both airlines would continue to independently price their flights and remain competitors in all other operational spaces. JetBlue said in public comments that the agreement “misrepresents Blue Sky and twists the facts about how JetBlue and United plan to deliver for customers.”
Spirit likened the agreement to the failed “Northeast Alliance” between JetBlue and American Airlines. In addition to the alignment of airport slots and loyalty programs, the Northeast Alliance included codeshare flights between the two airlines. It was ultimately struck down by a federal court in 2023, followed by the blocking of a proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit in 2024.
