Earlier this week, it was revealed that JetBlue was in the final stages of negotiating a major partnership deal with United Airlines that could eventually lead to a full-blown merger – to say that JetBlue’s pilots are pissed with the development would be a big understatement.
The biggest concern amongst JetBlue’s pilot workforce of a potential tie-up with Chicago-based United is that it will lead to massive job losses or what the pilot union describes as a “direct attack on our profession.”
In a leaked internal memo shared by aviation insider xJonNYC on Bluesky and X, the union said JetBlue’s shift in strategy was “an attempt to reduce-eventually eliminate-pilot jobs, starting with those of us right here at JetBlue.”
The highly critical memo is in the context of ongoing contract negotiations that have been dragging on for more than a year with little to show for it.
“While management cries financial hardship at the bargaining table, they have simultaneously invested in technology designed to replace us-and are pushing forward with a corporate partnership without clarity to the people whose future hang in the balance.”
The memo blasted: “This is not a company operating with the best interests of its pilots in mind – at all.”
JetBlue president Marty St. George revealed earlier this week that the embattled carrier was in talks with a rival carrier to form a domestic partnership, and while the airline remained tight-lipped over which airline it was in talks with, it soon transpired that the mystery carrier was United.
The initial partnership will seek to avoid the mistakes of JetBlue’s failed Northeast Alliance with American Airlines by avoiding any coordination on schedules and pricing, but it will allow passengers to earn and burn frequent flyer miles on each airline’s planes.
If market conditions are right, however, United could seek to extend the partnership with the prospect of a full-blown merger at some point in the future.
The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents flight crew at JetBlue,” claims any deal with United would “fundamentally reshape” the airline and impact the future of its pilots.
“This kind of corporate maneuvering – done without union input and deliberately hidden from those whose jobs and futures are at stake – is not just disrespectful. It’s a warning light we cannot ignore.”
The memo continued: “The scope and construct of this potential partnership remains unclear, and until we have answers, every pilot at JetBlue has reason to be concerned about what’s being negotiated behind closed doors.”
Timeline – How did JetBlue get to this point:
- 2020 – American Airlines and JetBlue announce the formation of the Northeast alliance to better compete against Delta and United in New York and Boston.
- September 2021 – the Department of Justice sues to block the NEA, arguing it is bad for competition.
- April 2022 – JetBlue makes surprise bid to acquire low-cost carrier Spirit
- May 2023 – A federal judge rules in favor of the DOJ, ordering JetBlue and American Airlines to wind down their NEA.
- January 2024 – JetBlue loses another DOJ lawsuit blocking acquisition of Spirit
- March 2024 – JetBlue and Spirit officially abandon any further merger talks
- January 2025 – Rumors circulate that United Airlines is eyeing JetBlue as a potential partner.
- April 2025 – American Airlines announces it is going to sue JetBlue after renewed partnership talks end in failure.
