Attention jet-setters and travel enthusiasts: United Airlines and JetBlue are shaking up the airline industry with a game-changing partnership that promises to make your travel experience smoother and more rewarding.

The two airlines have announced a collaborative agreement dubbed “Blue Sky” that will allow frequent flyers to earn and redeem miles across both carriers, potentially transforming how travelers plan and experience their journeys. Starting soon, members of United’s MileagePlus and JetBlue’s TrueBlue programs will be able to enjoy benefits like priority boarding, free baggage, and preferred seating when flying with either airline.

This strategic alliance goes beyond just mile-sharing. The airlines will display each other’s flight itineraries and fares on their respective websites and apps, giving travelers more comprehensive booking options. For JetBlue, this means expanding their reach beyond their current East Coast focus, while United gains increased flexibility in its network.

As part of the agreement, JetBlue will provide United with seven daily round trips at John F. Kennedy Airport beginning in 2027, a move that reopens opportunities for United after previously shutting down operations at the location in 2022.

Both United CEO Scott Kirby and JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty have emphasized the partnership’s potential to provide more value and options for travelers. Importantly, the airlines will remain separate entities, maintaining independent management and pricing strategies.

This collaboration comes at a time of significant shifts in the airline industry, particularly following the Biden administration’s activist stance on business combinations. Previous attempts by JetBlue to merge with other carriers, like its blocked acquisition of Spirit Airlines, make this partnership particularly noteworthy.

For frequent travelers, this could mean more seamless journeys, expanded route options, and enhanced rewards - a welcome development in an industry often criticized for limited consumer benefits.