
United Airlines Partners With JetBlue, Paving Way for JFK Return and Shared Perks
United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have unveiled a broad new partnership that links their loyalty programs, streamlines cross-booking, expands flight options in Boston and New York, and sets the stage for United's comeback to New York's JFK airport.
The collaboration, dubbed Blue Sky, was announced in a joint

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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
12 things to know about U.S. airline changes
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Traveling to Hawaiʻi used to feel like the last escape from mainland rules, especially in the air. Free meals. Free luggage. No worries. But in 2025, those days are mostly gone. 10 things you shouldn't do while visiting Hawaiʻi Airlines are changing fast; and travelers who are heading to the islands are facing more fees, stricter policies and fine print that's finally being enforced. Some rules are brand new. Others are old but ignored until now. If you're flying to Hawaiʻi this summer, don't assume that what worked last year will work this time. Whether you're carrying surfboards or flying Basic Economy, you'll want to read every word of the fare details. List of Hawaiian words every tourist needs to know Here's what you need to know before you board and what not to do after you land. For years, Southwest Airlines stood out as the last United States airline to offer two free checked bags. That changed on May 28. Unwind island-style: 9 relaxing ways to experience Hawaiʻi like a local Now, Southwest charges $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for the second. These fees apply to everyone except a few elite status holders and select fare classes. Other airlines like Hawaiian, American and United have long charged for bags; but what's new is how early and more consistently those fees are enforced. On Hawaiian Airlines flights between North America and Hawaiʻi, your first checked bag costs $40. Inter-island flights cost slightly less with as $30 fee for the first and $40 for the second. If you miss your flight without canceling in advance, most airlines will now cancel all of your reservations. That includes connecting and return legs. Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue enforce this policy, which often results in the loss of your fare or miles. On Hawaiian Airlines, the rule is clear: 'To retain the value of your ticket, notify the airline before the flight's departure if you cannot travel.' Don't assume you can just skip a segment and show up later. You will lose the entire booking. Not every airline treats a standby the same way. On Southwest, same-day standby is now free and fare differences don't apply. Just pay the government taxes or fees, and those get refunded if you don't fly. Delta, United and American offer same-day standby, too; but the process differs. For same day confirmed changes to your reservation, Delta charges $75 unless you're elite. American allows AAdvantage members to stand by for free. United lets all passengers join the standby list without paying, but a confirmed seat on another flight will cost extra. Most travelers look at price first, but Basic Economy fares come with strings. On United, basic economy passengers are not allowed a full-sized carry-on. You are allowed a single personal item that can fit under the seat in front of your seat. If you do bring a carry-on, then you will be charged a gate check fee as well as a $25 gate handling charge. American does not allow basic economy customers the option to choose their seats unless they pay a fee to do so. JetBlue does the same. On transpacific flights, Hawaiian's Main Cabin Basic fare includes meals and a carry-on, but you won't get a seat assignment until check-in. And you can't upgrade or make changes. But if you're traveling with family or want flexibility, then Basic Economy probably isn't the deal you think it is. If your luggage is delayed for more than 12 hours on a domestic flight, the airline must refund your checked bag fee. This is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule, not a favor. That means it's required and not optional or delayable. Also, you can get reimbursed for 'reasonable, verifiable and actual' expenses you incur while waiting for your bags. Airlines can't just give you a flat daily amount anymore. Save your receipts and make a claim. So, remember that airlines cannot impose arbitrary daily limits. The amount reimbursed should reflect the actual expenses incurred if they are supported by receipts. These rules are mandatory and enforceable by law, and airlines are required to follow them. Refunds must be issued within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for payments made by other methods. You can click here for more information. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is in the process of finalizing a rule that would prohibit airlines from charging extra fees for seating children under 13 next to a parent or accompanying adult. Once finalized, this rule would apply regardless of the fare type purchased. Until then, if you experience issues or extra charges related to family seating, you have the right to contact the airline or the DOT to seek assistance. JetBlue now uses demand-based pricing for checked baggage. That means your bag might cost more during peak travel periods. You won't see this price until checkout; so, don't be surprised if it's more than last time. Other airlines may follow if this pricing model proves profitable. Always check bag fees at the time of booking, not weeks later. The good news is that surfboards, golf clubs and bicycles are now treated like standard checked bags on Hawaiian Airlines with certain caveats. This only applies if the equipment meets size and weight limits. Oversized or overweight items still trigger extra fees. Hawaiian Airlines requires passengers to check in at least 30 minutes before inter-island flights and 45 minutes before mainland departures. More importantly, if you show up late to the gate, even by minutes, then your seat can be reassigned. Doors close 10 minutes before takeoff. So, don't dawdle. United Airlines, beginning June 3, will require all domestic passengers to check in for flights at least 45 minutes before departure. United has indicated that domestic travelers who fail to check in on time may be denied checked bags optioma or may be forced to miss their flights altogether. On Hawaiian Airlines, you'll get a complimentary meal and beverage on transpacific flights. But on inter-island routes, there's no food service. Don't board expecting snacks. Other airlines vary. American and Delta offer free snacks and drinks, but meals may not be included unless you're flying longer routes. JetBlue provides nut-free snacks, but meals are extra unless you fly Mint. So, be sure to grab food at the airport to take on the flight or pack your meals from home if you don't want to pay for airline quality meals and snacks. Most major airlines now offer free entertainment, but how you access it can differ. Hawaiian recently added free Wi-Fi via Starlink on select aircraft, which is fast and reliable. JetBlue has free live TV. Southwest offers streaming, but you must use your own device. Always bring headphones and a charged device. Don't assume every screen or port will work. Check baggage fees before booking: These now change by date, fare class, and demand—especially on JetBlue and Southwest. Avoid Basic Economy unless you're flying solo and light: The restrictions are not worth the savings for most travelers. Call if you can't make your flight: A no-show could erase your entire trip and cost you hundreds. Know your standby rights: Rules are airline specific. What's free on one may cost $75 on another. Expect stricter boarding and check-in deadlines: Showing up late may void your ticket, no refunds. Save receipts if your bag is delayed: You have the right to compensation beyond just a refund of fees. Book seats early if traveling with kids: You can't be charged to sit together, but don't wait until the last minute. Don't assume sports gear is exempt from fees: Know the size and weight limits. Fees still apply if you exceed them. Bring your own entertainment gear: Not all planes have screens or free charging. Always double check airline websites: Fee schedules change fast. What was true in April may not be true today. For Hawaiian Airlines, click here and here. For Alaska Airlines, click here and here. For Delta Airlines, click here and here. For American Airlines, click here and here. For United Airlines, click here and here. For JetBlue, click here and here. For Southwest Airlines, click here and here. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Flying to Hawaiʻi is still special, but it's not exempt from the broader shifts happening across air travel. Know the rules, read the fine print and don't get caught paying for something that used to be free. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


CBS News
7 hours ago
- CBS News
American, Delta and United charging higher rates for solo flight tickets, writer finds
A Minneapolis-based aviation writer says he's uncovered an airline pricing strategy that makes tickets for solo travelers more expensive. Kyle Potter, executive editor at Thrifty Traveler, says he discovered the practice as he went to buy a ticket for a flight himself. "I saw a $206 one-way fare to Newark this summer," Potter said. "I bumped it up to two passengers, then all of a sudden, I'm looking at $156 for the same fare." Potter ran more tests and found that Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines all were doing the same thing. Solo tickets cost more than tickets bought in a group for the same flight. "You start doing some math, double checking, 'What's going on here? Did I enter the wrong airport code? Did I change the date on accident?' It became pretty clear, quickly, this was a penalty for booking just one ticket," he said. "This isn't an isolated incident. This is a trend. This is something that airlines are doing in order to squeeze more money out of people who are booking just one passenger." Potter posted his findings online in a post that's now been shared thousands of times and viewed by millions of online users. He suspects airlines of charging higher rates for solo travelers to increase costs for business fliers who would typically expense the price of the ticket. WCCO has reached out for comment to Delta, American and United, with Delta being the only airline to respond so far. In an email, a Delta spokesperson said the company is "limited in what it can say about pricing," though they said "this pricing structure is not new to Delta or the airline industry." Potter said after his interview with WCCO that an insider tipped him off that Delta's policy would be reversing course. Higher prices for solo tickets remain for the other two airlines. "It feels like a game of cat and mouse. Every time we find something out, weeks, months later, there's some new system, trick, to push you into a more expensive fare, or hide a cheaper fare from you," Potter said. "I think there just needs to be more accountability – and I don't know if that's something individual travelers can achieve."
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
U.S. Airlines Are Reportedly Charging Solo Travelers More for Plane Tickets—Here's What You Need to Know
A new industry report indicates that U.S. airlines may be charging more for individually booked tickets. In one example, a solo ticket was priced at $422 per person, but dropped to $266 per person when the same route was booked for two people. In order to save on your next flight, experts recommend clearing your browser history and setting up price alerts on your desired traveling alone can be enticing and relaxing, new data reveals it might also be more expensive. U.S. airlines are allegedly charging single passengers higher fares than couples or families, according to a new report from the booking site Thrifty Traveler. The travel data team recently compared the price of a single-ticket purchase versus that of two or more tickets. In multiple instances, the single-ticket purchase was more expensive per one example, the report showed how a United Airlines flight from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport (PIA) cost $269 for a one-way ticket for a person traveling alone. But when the same route was booked for two people, the price dropped to $181 per person. The team also noted that a single fare on an American Airlines flight that was priced at $422 dropped to $266 per person when multiple tickets were booked. 'It's just another way for airlines to continue 'segmenting' their customers, charging business travelers paying with a corporate card more while offering a better deal to families on the exact same flight," Thrifty Traveler executive editor Kyle Potter said in the report also notes that the phenomenon doesn't appear to be a widespread occurrence, and may be a limited-time test, or may only appear on select routes. After the report was released, dozens of flyers and aviation enthusiasts confirmed the findings independently. Jeff Rossen, a consumer correspondent and the host of the Rossen Reports, shared his experience of seeing higher fares for single tickets on social media.'I picked a random round-trip flight, and the first one I picked, boom … a giant $240.93 price difference,' Rossen told Travel + Leisure. 'Same flights. Same cabin.'He also said booking websites may use other clues to potentially generate higher fares and prices for certain customers.'Airlines can track your search history and apply different prices based on it,' Rossen said. 'So, clear your cache and cookies before logging into the airline. Better yet, search in incognito mode to avoid price hikes targeting you.' At the time of publication, neither American Airlines nor United Airlines provided a comment to T+L. In the meantime, if you're traveling alone, experts recommend setting up price alerts to save some cash. Alternatively, you could consider flying into other nearby (often smaller) airfields that may be less expensive. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure