American and JetBlue add 33 routes in the northeast



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We have known for some time that American and JetBlue are introducing a strategic alliance in the Northeast. Well, today there was a major announcement on that front, as American and JetBlue plan to share the code starting February 25, 2021 (which is a week away).

In addition to revealing plans to align schedules across multiple markets, American and JetBlue announced a total of 33 new routes, which I wanted to cover in this article. In no particular order, here’s what we can expect:

The international expansion of Americans in New York

As of May 6, 2021, American Airlines is adding the following new routes year round to Latin America from New York JFK:

  • New York to Santiago, Chile (SCL) – 3 weekly flights with a 777-200
  • New York to Bogota, Colombia (BOG) – daily by A319
  • New York to Cali, Colombia (CLO) – daily by A319
  • New York to Medellin, Colombia (MDE) – daily by A319

In addition to this, American is adding two new seasonal Caribbean routes on Saturdays from New York JFK:

  • New York to Saint Lucia (UVF) – using a 737-800
  • New York to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (PLS) – using a 737-800

This complements the previously announced international expansion by American from New York, notably to Athens, Rio de Janeiro and Tel Aviv.

American will fly from New York to Santiago

American domestic expansion in the northeast

American Airlines is adding a dozen new domestic routes from airports in Boston and the New York City area, some of which may surprise you. These new routes are as follows:

  • Boston (BOS) to Asheville, NC (AVL) – seasonal
  • Boston (BOS) to Columbus, Ohio (CMH) – year round
  • Boston (BOS) to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) – seasonal
  • Boston (BOS) to Traverse City, Michigan (TVC) – seasonal
  • Boston (BOS) to Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM) – seasonal
  • New York (JFK) to Orange County, CA (SNA) – year round
  • New York (LGA) to Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) – year round
  • New York (LGA) to Key West, Florida (EYW) – seasonal
  • New York (LGA) to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
  • New York (LGA) to Pensacola, Fla. (PNS) – seasonal
  • New York (LGA) to Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) – seasonal
  • New York (LGA) to Savannah, GA (SAV) – seasonal

American to fly A321Ts from New York to Orange County

JetBlue’s expansion in the northeast

JetBlue Airways is adding well over a dozen new routes from the northeast, with a particular focus on Newark. These itineraries include the following:

  • New York (JFK) to Kalispell, MT (FCA) – seasonal
  • New York (JFK) to Boise, Idaho (BOI) – seasonal
  • Newark (EWR) to St. John’s, Antigua (ANU) – year round
  • Newark (EWR) to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN) – year round
  • Newark (EWR) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) – all year round
  • Newark (EWR) to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) – seasonal
  • Newark (EWR) to Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) – seasonal
  • Newark (EWR) to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) – year round
  • Newark (EWR) to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) – year round
  • Newark (EWR) to Seattle, Washington (SEA) – seasonal
  • Newark (EWR) to Saint Lucia (UVF) – all year round
  • Newark (EWR) to St. Thomas, USVI (STT) – year round
  • New York (LGA) to Charleston, SC (CHS) – year round
  • New York (LGA) to Denver, Colorado (DEN) – year round
  • New York (LGA) to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) – seasonal

JetBlue expands dramatically outside Newark

When to expect reciprocal loyalty benefits

While codeshare flights are launched from next week, Americans AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue have yet to announce reciprocal point earning, point redemption or elite recognition.

What’s the latest on this front?

  • American AAdvantage and JetBlue will earn reciprocal points starting this spring, although we do not have an exact date
  • Over time, it is planned to allow reciprocal point exchanges, as well as reciprocal recognition of elites

It looks like we might expect to gain reciprocal miles in a matter of weeks, while other things might take a bit longer.

American & JetBlue will offer reciprocal points

My take on American expansion and JetBlue

While I wouldn’t say that there is anything too surprising here, there are a few things I find remarkable about this announcement from American and JetBlue:

  • I am impressed with the speed at which American is adding long-haul international routes from New York JFK, with the introduction of the Santiago service.
  • JetBlue certainly goes after United in Newark, as airline continues to expand there
  • I’m a little surprised to see the Americans adding point-to-point routes from Boston, given that it is now a hub for JetBlue, and hardly a target city for Americans; Guess maybe Americans have more capacity to grow there than JetBlue
  • While the new routes added are great for consumers, it seems to me that we are seeing significant reductions in combined service between airports where schedules are aligned, such as New York to Los Angeles.
  • As I wrote in a separate article, I find the New York to Orange County route on American to be the most interesting addition, considering that it will be operated by an A321T.

American Airlines adds routes to Boston

At the end of the line

The new US and JetBlue strategic alliance is finally launched, as the two companies will begin codeshare as early as next week. We’re seeing nearly three dozen new routes added, along with schedules lined up in other markets.

American and JetBlue are expected to offer reciprocal mileage earnings starting this spring, with reciprocal mile redemptions and elite benefits at a later stage.

What do you think of these new American routes and JetBlue?

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