Spirit Airlines is asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to not approve the planned partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines. This request follows the breakdown of JetBlue’s previous merger with American Airlines.

Reuters reports the ultra-low-cost carrier is requesting that the U.S. Department of Transportation block the proposed “Blue Sky” partnership between JetBlue and United Airlines.
Reuters berichtet, dass die ultra-niedrigpreisige Fluggesellschaft die US-Verkehrsbehörde auffordert, die vorgeschlagene „Blue Sky“-Partnerschaft zwischen JetBlue und United Airlines abzulehnen.

Spirit Claims New Partnership Would Be Anticompetitive

The “Blue Sky” partnership, announced in May 2025, would allow mutual bookings, frequent flyer mile exchanges, and shared luggage handling between the two airlines, but lacks codeshare and co-marketing agreements. Spirit argues that this venture poses anticompetitive risks in the U.S. aviation market. They warn that the agreement could make JetBlue overly reliant on United.

Conversely, JetBlue argues that they will maintain independent pricing and continue competing operationally. The airline refuted Spirit’s claims, stating that they misrepresent the partnership and its impacts on customers.

Spirit compares the “Blue Sky” partnership to the previously attempted “Northeast Alliance” with American Airlines, which was opposed due to similar competitive concerns and ultimately blocked in 2023.