JetBlue Airways has announced the termination of its frequent flyer partnership with Japan Airlines, effective March 31, 2024. This decision means that members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue program will no longer be able to redeem points for flights with Japan Airlines after this date. The collaboration, which began less than a year ago, has raised questions regarding its abrupt conclusion.
JetBlue does not currently operate flights to Asia but serves several primary gateways in the United States where Japan Airlines operates. These gateways include Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), San Diego (SAN), New York (JFK/HND), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
A Brief Partnership and Its Implications
The TrueBlue frequent flyer program has been recognized as one of the top programs in the industry, alongside competitors such as Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue and American Airlines’ AAdvantage, according to the Independent. Despite the partnership ending, JetBlue has assured passengers who have already redeemed their points for Japan Airlines flights that their itineraries will be honored, including bookings beyond April 1, 2026.
A statement from JetBlue clarified, “TrueBlue members can continue to redeem points on Japan Airlines flights booked on or before that date. All existing bookings will be honored.” Currently, TrueBlue members can redeem points for select itineraries across Japan Airlines’ international and domestic network in First, Business, and Economy classes.
JetBlue’s frequent flyer program allows members to earn points through various means, including flights, extras, and partnerships. Points can be redeemed anytime without blackout dates, and the program even offers Points Pooling, enabling members to combine points with friends and family to earn and redeem faster. Additionally, JetBlue has extended status perks for TrueBlue members, with status now expiring at the end of January 2026, providing an extra month of benefits.
Strategic Refocus for JetBlue
While the exact reasons for the partnership’s conclusion remain unclear, it coincides with JetBlue’s strategic refocus on its operations within the United States. The airline plans to launch new routes to Puerto Rico from several cities, including Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Richmond, and Buffalo, starting in March 2024. This year also saw the discontinuation of JetBlue’s flights from Miami International Airport (MIA), as the airline aims to reallocate aircraft for more profitable routes.
Travelers still seeking access to Florida can utilize JetBlue’s other gateways in the state. The airline continues to offer services to various destinations, including Daytona Beach (DAB), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Orlando (MCO), among others.
In addition, JetBlue is enhancing its customer experience through the launch of its first airport lounge, BlueHouse, at New York’s JFK. A second lounge is scheduled to open at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2026. Currently, JetBlue operates a fleet of over 270 aircraft, servicing 114 destinations across North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
While the partnership with Japan Airlines comes to an end, JetBlue retains its collaboration with United Airlines through the Blue Sky program and continues to partner with various airlines, including Cape Air, Condor, and Qatar Airways.
