JetBlue Expands Partnership With Etihad Airways To Include Frequent Flyer Miles

JetBlue and Etihad Airways are expanding their decade-long partnership to include airline loyalty programs. JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can redeem points on Etihad flights starting tomorrow (Wednesday, May 8th), while Etihad Guest members can earn and book flights on JetBlue services.

A long time coming

JetBlue is not a member of one of the “Big Three” alliances, which has allowed it to forge partnerships with a wide array of carriers. Another alliance outlier is Abu Dhabi’s Etihad. One of the dual flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates, it flies to four destinations in the United States.

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The two airlines announced the addition of loyalty benefits today at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market. From tomorrow, members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program and Etihad’s Etihad Guest loyalty program will be able to earn and redeem points in either program when flying across the airlines’ combined network. Christopher Buckner, Vice President of Loyalty and Partnerships at JetBlue, noted how the two airlines have been working together for almost a decade:

“As a successful partner since 2014, we are excited to introduce loyalty benefits as part of our codeshare partnership with Etihad.

“This partnership extension delivers both JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members more ways to earn and redeem on travel, making exploring either airline’s network of top global destinations even more rewarding.”

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

JetBlue’s TrueBlue program currently allows members to earn miles with seven airline partners: Hawaiian Airlines, Icelandair, JSK, Qatar Airways, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, and South African Airways.

Growth in the United States.

The announcement follows two major expansions by Etihad into the US market. The carrier’s hub in Abi Dhabi is notable for being one of several overseas locations with US Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facilities, allowing Etihad passengers to land in the US as domestic flights with simpler onward connections.

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Last month, Etihad introduced Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). The city is a key hub for JetBlue, providing traveling with a larger range of one-stop connections. Between Boston and New York JFK, the partnership offers passengers access to Etihad’s global network of more than 70 destinations and over 40 destinations across JetBlue’s network within the Americas.

Photo: Etihad

Speaking of New York City, Etihad brought back the superjumbo on its iconic Abu Dhabi-New York JFK route in April. The larger aircraft allows more transiting passengers to connect onto JetBlue flights and includes Etihad’s famous The Residence three-room suites. Speaking on the launch, Mark Potter, Managing Director at Etihad Guest,

“JetBlue has been an important partner for Etihad for almost a decade, and we’re thrilled to be extending this partnership to our loyalty programs, benefitting both of our airlines’ valued members. We look forward to welcoming and rewarding TrueBlue members.

“This also further bolsters Etihad’s commitment to the U.S. market, following the recent launch of our direct service connecting Abu Dhabi and Boston, as well as introducing our popular A380 onto the New York route, expanding capacity.”

Photo: Etihad Airways

In addition to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston Logan (BOS), Etihad’s North American network also includes Chicago-O’Hare Airport (ORD), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada.