United Airlines to enhance JetBlue partnership and new flights to Japan, JetBlue to fly to Milan
United Airlines, a Chicago-based carrier, announces new global network enhancements and a reciprocal benefits agreement with JetBlue. Benefits include seat selection, boarding, baggage, and standby priorities.
United will now fly nonstop from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita(NRT) daily on their 787-10 aircraft. This is United’s second nonstop to Tokyo from Chicago, but the first to Narita. The goal for this route is not because their is demand for a second flight to Tokyo, but United see’s the demand of connecting people to their mini hub operation at Narita where they have connecting flights from the U.S. to Cebu, Philippines (CEB), Kaohsiung, Taiwan (KHH), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (UBN) Koror, Palau (ROR), and Saipan (SPN). United has a huge competitive advantage in the demand of American customers because Americans like flying American carriers, and United is the only carrier that offers that. Customers will pay a premium for American carriers, and United, being the only one in that market, will be able to charge high fares.
Starting December 11, United will launch three times weekly winter seasonal service between San Francisco (SFO) and Sapporo (CTS), marking the first nonstop flights between the continental U.S. and Sapporo. Sapporo is popular for tourism and skiing, a snow festival, and world-renowned cuisine. United now offers service to four Japanese airports compared to their competitors’ two. Again, being the only carrier in a market allows it to charge high fares, which is a major profitability driver.
The United and JetBlue partnership, called Blue Sky, is growing rapidly. United now offers reciprocal benefits for frequent fliers, minus upgrades and lounges. This partnership was established less than a year ago; for non-alliance partnerships to expand this quickly is rare. These benefits will be helpful for frequent fliers’ journeys, with reciprocal benefits including complimentary seat selection, priority boarding, complimentary and priority baggage, and standby priorities. Forward-looking, this could be a hint at an incoming merger. Although the Department of Transportation denied JetBlue and American's merger, United has been donating millions to the Department and will be more likely to succeed, though it's not very likely. My theory is that United claimed potential mergers with American Airlines as a cover-up to make the government allow JetBlue to merge with United.
JetBlue announces a new flight from Boston to Milan daily for the coming summer. fares are available starting at $399 in core, $649 in EvenMore and $2199 in Mint for Boston-originating travelers, and from €449 in core, €659 in EvenMore and €1799 in Mint for Milan-originating travelers. JetBlue is the only carrier with the new service.