New enhanced reciprocal benefits have been officially announced for members of the American Airlines AAdvantage and JetBlue Airways TrueBlue frequent flier loyalty programs who have earned elite status — including access to economy class seats with more room, the ability to request a same-day confirmed flight change when traveling on either carrier, and access to airport lounges — as part of what is now known as the Northeast Alliance.
Enhanced Reciprocal Benefits For Members With Elite Status Announced From American Airlines and JetBlue Airways
Effective as of Wednesday, March 23, 2022, members of both membership programs who have earned:
- AAdvantage elite status and TrueBlue Mosaic elite status now have complimentary access to seats in the Main Cabin Extra or Even More Space sections of the airplane — which offers such amenities as extra leg room, boarding the airplane early, and dedicated space in the overhead storage bins — when checking in for a flight which is operated by American Airlines or JetBlue Airways
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, and TrueBlue Mosaic elite status may request a confirmed flight change when traveling on the same day on either carrier
Moreover, members of Admirals Club may access Admirals Club airport lounges when flying as a passenger with JetBlue Airways starting sometime in April of 2022.
These new benefits for customers are in addition to the priority check-in, priority baggage, priority security and priority boarding benefits which have already been implemented. AAdvantage status members receive up to two complimentary checked bags when traveling on JetBlue and TrueBlue Mosaic members can also now check two complimentary checked bags at American Airlines kiosks when arriving at the airport.
The strategic partnership between JetBlue Airways Corporation and American Airlines Group Incorporated was first announced on Thursday, July 16, 2020 and has been touted by both companies to create seamless connectivity for travelers in the northeastern United States — as well as bring a greater number of choices and options for customers across complementary domestic and international networks.
Key components and details of the Northeast Alliance were revealed on Wednesday, January 13, 2021; codesharing of flights between the two airlines was launched in February of 2021; and a reciprocity agreement with which “American’s AAdvantage members and JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can earn miles or points, traveling on either carrier” was formally introduced on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
The new benefits were announced and implemented despite the Department of Justice of the United States — along with attorneys general in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia — filing a lawsuit in the District of Massachusetts on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 to block an unprecedented series of agreements between American Airlines and JetBlue Airways through which the two airlines have been consolidating their operations in Boston and New York into what has been called the Northeast Alliance.
Final Boarding Call
New and enhanced benefits are difficult to argue against when one qualifies to access them.
I am not a member of JetBlue Airways TrueBlue frequent flier loyalty program because the airline does not offer enough service in the region of the United States where I am based; but as a member of the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier loyalty program, I may be more compelled to try out the service offered by JetBlue Airways in the future.
All photographs ©2013 and ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
