JetBlue Plans to Codeshare on Emirates’ Flights to and from the U.S.

JetBlue Airways and Emirates Airline intend to expand their current partnership to include bilateral codesharing, pending FAA and DOT regulatory approval and subject to receipt of foreign government operating authority.

Under receiving the required government approvals for the expanded agreement, JetBlue Airways will place its ‘B6’ flight code on all flights currently operated by Emirates between the U.S. and Dubai International Airport, as well as between New York JFK and Milan Malpensa Airport (IATA code MXP) in Italy.

A JetBlue Airways Airbus A320 tail contrasts nicely in terms of color and size with the massive tail of the Emirates Airbus A380 superjumbo sitting behind it at New York JFK

The agreement deepens a three-year partnership between JetBlue and Emirates. Emirates started placing its code on select JetBlue-operated flights in April 2012, expanding an interline agreement which dates back to 2010.

Current codeshare routes offered by Emirates on JetBlue-operated flights cover 28 destinations including Boston, Chicago, Orlando and Puerto Rico.

Since March this year, Emirates also began placing its code on additional JetBlue routes from New York JFK, including flights to Barbados, Cancun, Montego Bay in Jamaica and Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Through the existing agreement, customers have the convenience of a single combined ticket for Emirates- and JetBlue-operated flights, plus other benefits including one-stop check-in and baggage transfer.

Emirates is the largest customer for the A380, with a total of 93 on order, and is now operating the type to major airports throughout the world

Members of Skywards, Emirates’ frequent-flyer program, can earn mileage points on JetBlue-operated flights and also redeem miles for flights to any of JetBlue’s destinations throughout the Americas. Similarly, members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program can earn points for Emirates-operated flights worldwide.

“As Emirates continues to expand its presence in the U.S. market, our partnership offering with JetBlue provides customers with convenient connections from its extensive network to our seven U.S. gateways, including our twice daily A380 service non-stop from JFK to Dubai,” says Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president of passenger sales worldwide.

“Offering a boost to tourism and added convenience for inbound travelers, the codeshare also gives Emirates’ customers a new choice of destinations with the benefit of a single combined ticket,” adds Antinori.

Emirates’ network encompasses 133 destinations in 77 countries across six continents and the airline currently operates 56 passenger flights per week between Dubai and the U.S., including flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and the twice-daily Airbus A380 service from JFK to Dubai International Airport.

JetBlue Airways celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 11, 2010 with a specially painted Airbus A320 featuring a unique 10-themed livery to signify the carrier’s entry into its second decade

Dubai-based Emirates will further expand at New York JFK on October 1, with new daily non-stop service to Milan.

At New York JFK, JetBlue operates from the 26-gate Terminal 5, while Emirates operates from the adjacent Terminal 4, allowing for fairly easy connections between flights.

Passengers traveling in First Class and Business Class on Emirates-operated flights, as well as Skywards Platinum and Gold members, have access to the Emirates Lounge at JFK.

Premium passengers, including Gold and Platinum Skywards members, will also have access to lounges at the other Emirates gateways, including the dedicated Emirates’ lounge at San Francisco International Airport.