American, JetBlue flyers start to see alliance benefits

American Airlines loyalty scheme members will be able to redeem miles for JetBlue flights from next month after this week gaining access to elite benefits such as priority check-in, boarding and baggage. The ability to redeem miles will make American AAdvantage the only US loyalty program to allow earning opportunities across three US carriers: American, JetBlue and Alaska. And the “Northeast Alliance” deal with JetBlue will add preferred seats in the coming months. AAdvantage elite members can now check two bags for free when traveling on JetBlue and checking in at JetBlue kiosks, ticket counters or via the JetBlue mobile app. READ: IATA boss says eased UK entry requirements need to be simpler. JetBlue’s TrueBlue Mosaic members receive the same free checked bag allowance when traveling on American. The loyalty benefits are part of a strategic partnership between the airlines formed in 2020 to offer more choices, more routes and better experience across their domestic and international networks. Since January, the NEA has brought 58 new routes to customers in New York and Boston, code-sharing on 175 routes and increased frequencies on more than 130 routes. The alliance connects the Northeast to almost 150 worldwide destinations, including 10 new international routes on American. These include new services from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv, Israel and Athens, Greece. Another new route to Delhi, India will launch on Oct. 31. "The Northeast Alliance is moving ahead, implementing more consumer benefits that demonstrate our appreciation for our most loyal customers,” said American chief customer officer Alison Taylor. “Additional benefits such as preferred seats will be delivered in the coming months as our partnership with JetBlue continues to make good on our promise to provide more choices to travelers in the Northeast.”