Even with the impeding merger between American Airlines and US Airways and the uncertainty it brings, JetBlue, according to CEO Dave Barger, not only wants to continue its partnership with American Airlines, but is looking to expand it by the end of the year.
JetBlue already has a tie-up with American in which JetBlue passengers can connect to 15 international destinations not served by JetBlue. American, in turn, can funnel its passengers to connecting JetBlue flights on 26 domestic routes not served nonstop by American, according to The Wall Street Journal. The airlines also offer limited reciprocal frequent-flier benefits on those routes, reported USA Today.
Barger says he would like to expand that agreement by adding more options -- particularly via New York JFK, which is a hub for both American and JetBlue, stated USA Today.
However, American Airlines isn't the only partnership Barger is keen on keeping and adding too.
Speaking at the J.P. Morgan aviation, transportation and defense conference in New York., he said JetBlue would be interested in upgrading some of its existing ties with some of its 23 domestic and international partners, according to USA Today.
Barger also hinted that JetBlue would consider code-sharing on international flights operated by a U.S. partner.
"We haven't taken off the table the opportunity for international code share," he said. But "our employees are going to have to be on board with that" before JetBlue would code-share internationally with a U.S. airline, according to Wall Street Journal.
The Department of Justice is currently reviewing the merger plan from American and US Airways and could require divestitures of take-off and landing slots at congested airports where other airlines don't have easy access. JFK is one slot-constrained airport. Others include New York's LaGuardia Airport and Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C, reported Wall Street Journal.
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