United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to dismiss a complaint filed by Spirit Airlines opposing their proposed “Blue Sky” partnership. In a joint response, United and JetBlue described Spirit’s concerns over reduced competition as a “fiction,” stating, “Blue Sky will maintain JetBlue’s independence and enhance its competitiveness, ensuring that JetBlue can continue to grow and compete as an independent carrier.” The agreement, announced in May 2025, would allow United to access JetBlue’s flight slots at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting in 2027 and involve the coordination of flight schedules at Newark Airport, alongside the integration of certain loyalty and booking features.
Spirit Airlines, a low-cost carrier, had previously criticized the arrangement, claiming JetBlue would become a “de facto vassal of United.” Spirit warned that the deal could pressure other smaller airlines into similar partnerships with major carriers. United and JetBlue countered by highlighting JetBlue’s expanded service on competitive routes such as Newark to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The filing follows a series of legal and operational setbacks for JetBlue, including the collapse of its $3.8 billion merger with Spirit and the termination of its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines.
