JetBlue plans significant codeshare operations with British Airways

JetBlue and British Airways plan to establish a significant codeshare relationship, allowing each to serve the others customers via New York, Boston, and London. In an application with the US Department of Transportation the companies outlined 92 routes where the initial codeshare flights would operate.

If approved (and there’s no reason to believe it won’t be), the arrangement allows JetBlue to more easily market onward flights from London. The initial selection of destinations includes 17 major cities in Europe.

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On the US side, the deal would see the British Airways code added to more than 30 JetBlue routes for both New York City and Boston. It is unclear if the application intends to include JetBlue’s Newark operations in the “NYC” designation.

The routes shown here are merely the initial proposed list of services. If approved, the two carriers will be able to add any markets covered by open skies treaties (including most of Europe) at will. Non-open skies markets would require notification to the DOT.

At New York and London the connections are not especially convenient, requiring a change of terminal. In Boston the operating terminals are relatively close and inside the same security area.

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The filing does not include any mention of other cooperation, such as frequent flyer program reciprocity. A query to JetBlue about that potential remains pending as of publication. In a statement, JetBlue confirmed the application, noting “With the new codeshare, customers will be able to seamlessly book a single ticket for travel on both airlines, providing an expanded network of destinations across Europe and the U.S.” Loyalty reciprocity, if it happens, will be a later phase of the deal.

One must also question just how likely it is that British Airways will route passengers on JetBlue flights to these markets rather than taking advantage of its transatlantic joint venture with American Airlines. Perhaps simply having the option available is useful to the carrier.

It is also worth noting that Aer Lingus (also owned by IAG) and JetBlue have a partnership, though that was established prior to Aer Lingus joining the transatlantic JV.