United Airlines and JetBlue face opposition from Senator Richard Blumenthal because he believes their proposed alliance will reduce market competition and increase flight prices especially in New York.
The Democrat requested through a letter to the airlines’ CEOs that they must reveal all aspects of their “Blue Sky” partnership which enables customers to switch between flights and combine loyalty points between the two airlines.
The proposed partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines makes JetBlue function as a subordinate airline which reduces consumer options while weakening market competition according to Blumenthal. The court-blocked Northeast Alliance with American Airlines and JetBlue’s failed merger with Spirit Airlines serve as proof of a recurring pattern according to Blumenthal.
The airlines maintain their partnership maintains JetBlue’s operational freedom while creating better competition in the market. The agreement establishes shared airport slots at JFK beginning in 2027 and coordinated flight schedules at Newark.
The Transportation Department received a request from budget carrier Spirit to reject the plan because it establishes a concerning precedent that could lead major carriers to pursue additional consolidation deals.
Through his role as Senate committee chair for consumer protection Blumenthal has criticized both increasing airline fees and the ongoing decline of competition within the U.S. aviation industry.
