Japan Airlines (JAL) and JetBlue have confirmed that their frequent flyer partnership will officially end on March 31, 2026. The agreement, which allowed members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to use points or miles on each other’s flights, will close less than a year after it began.
The partnership originally launched on April 23, 2025, and was welcomed by travelers, especially those looking for more international and transpacific travel options using loyalty points. However, JAL has now published an official notice stating that new award bookings under this arrangement will no longer be accepted after March 31, 2026.
What the partnership offered
Under the agreement, JetBlue TrueBlue members could redeem points for flights operated by Japan Airlines, including routes to Tokyo and other destinations in Japan. At the same time, JAL Mileage Bank members were able to use their miles to book select JetBlue flights within the airline’s network.
For JetBlue customers, this partnership was especially notable because it added long-haul international options to a loyalty program that is largely focused on domestic and short international routes. For JAL members, it provided access to JetBlue’s U.S. network, including popular leisure and business routes.
Although the collaboration did not include benefits like shared elite status perks or lounge access, the ability to redeem points across both airlines was seen as a valuable option for frequent flyers.
Official end date and booking deadline
Japan Airlines updated its partnership page on December 26, 2025, confirming that the mileage partnership with JetBlue will end on March 31, 2026. According to JAL, new award bookings can still be made up to that date.
Travelers booking through the JAL website will be able to make new award reservations until around 6:00 p.m. Japan time on March 31, 2026. Those using JAL’s contact centers can book award tickets until the close of business hours in their respective regions on the same day.
As long as an award ticket is issued on or before March 31, 2026, it can still be used for travel on or after April 1, 2026. In other words, travelers can lock in flights now and fly later, even after the partnership has officially ended.
Changes, cancellations, and refunds
JAL has also clarified what happens after the partnership ends. From April 1, 2026, onward, passengers will still be allowed to change or cancel existing award tickets, as long as the ticket remains valid under the original rules.
These changes and refunds can be handled either through the JAL website or by contacting JAL’s customer service centers. However, travelers should expect that managing bookings may become slightly more complicated after the partnership officially ends, and phone support may be required in some cases.
What JetBlue has said so far
As of the announcement date, JetBlue has not yet published a detailed notice on its own website about the end of the partnership. Still, JAL’s statement makes it clear that the agreement is ending for both airlines. JetBlue has confirmed separately that TrueBlue members will no longer be able to book Japan Airlines flights using points after March 31, 2026.
The partnership, which lasted for about eight months, expanded JetBlue’s loyalty program by offering customers access to long-distance international flights. Once the partnership ends, those options will no longer be available through TrueBlue.
Why the partnership is ending
Neither Japan Airlines nor JetBlue has explained why the partnership is ending so soon. Airline partnerships often last several years, so the relatively short duration of this agreement has raised questions among frequent flyers.
It is possible that the arrangement did not meet expectations on one or both sides, or that each airline is shifting focus to other partnerships or strategies. Without an official explanation, the exact reasons remain unclear.
What travelers should do now
For travelers who have points or miles with either program, the most important takeaway is timing. Anyone hoping to redeem JetBlue points for JAL flights, or JAL miles for JetBlue flights, should make those bookings well before March 31, 2026.
Even if travel plans are not final, booking before the deadline allows passengers to secure tickets that can be flown later. Since changes and cancellations will still be allowed after the partnership ends, there is some flexibility for those who need it.
The JetBlue–Japan Airlines partnership was short-lived but useful, especially for travelers looking to stretch their points across international routes. While it is disappointing to see the agreement end so quickly, there is still time for members of both loyalty programs to take advantage of the benefits.
For now, frequent flyers should act early, review their travel plans carefully, and make any desired bookings before the March 31, 2026 cutoff. After that date, this particular redemption option will officially come to an end.