JetBlue and Hawaiian Team Up, Offer More Options for Flyers

Say “Aloha!” to more ways to get to Hawaii. Yesterday, Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue announced a new partnership agreement—one that will open up fresh routes, more loyalty opportunities, and seamless booking between the airlines. The partnership will also make way for the only nonstop flight connecting New York to Hawaii.

A New Partnership Agreement
In a press release issued by JetBlue, Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, said, “This partnership with JetBlue makes Hawaii more accessible than ever for our friends on the East Coast, and in June will put the islands at their doorstep with our new daily nonstop service between JFK and Honolulu.” Indeed, thanks to the new agreement, flyers will be able to purchase one ticket that combines travel on both airlines. So it’s now possible for an East Coast resident to jet to Los Angeles via JetBlue and transfer onto a Hawaiian Airlines flight to the Aloha State—after having made a single booking.

According to JetBlue’s press release, customers won’t be able to purchase flights to Hawaii on the JetBlue website until some time in the future. We checked, and the option to book a Hawaii flight isn’t available on the JetBlue site as of today. For now, you’ll have to call Hawaiian Airlines or a travel agent to book one ticket that incorporates travel on both carriers.

Additionally, Hawaiian hopes to codeshare JetBlue flights (allowing customers to book travel on JetBlue planes directly through Hawaiian), but such a scenario hasn’t happened yet. A JetBlue spokesperson told us that the airlines are still waiting for government approval before they can officially enter into a codeshare agreement.

If you’re a frequent flyer to Hawaii (in which case, we’re green with envy), take heed: TrueBlue and HawaiianMiles members now have the chance to earn and cash in on miles and loyalty points for travel on either airline. So a TrueBlue member traveling on a Hawaiian Airlines flight will earn miles, whereas a Hawaiian Miles member flying JetBlue will reap mileage benefits as well.

Nonstop Service Between New York and Honolulu
Now, about that aforementioned nonstop service from the East Coast to Honolulu: Starting June 5, Hawaiian will operate the only nonstop flight between New York and Hawaii. Sure, it’ll be a long plane ride (you’ll depart New York at 10 a.m. and arrive on the islands at 3 p.m. local time), but it’ll definitely make things a lot easier for travelers heading to either destination.

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