JetBlue Ends TAP Loyalty Partnership, Lisbon Flights Coming?

In an email to JetBlue TrueBlue members that its loyalty partnership with TAP (Portugal) would be ending. It already has Lisbon landing slots, are flights next? 

JetBlue Announces Loyalty Partnership With TAP To End

JetBlue sent a late night email to TrueBlue members on Friday that it would terminate the loyalty partnership it shared with TAP. It made it clear that this did not effect its purchased codeshare tickets.

“We wanted to let you know that our loyalty partnership with TAP Air Portugal will be coming to an end. Our codeshare partnership will continue and this will not impact codeshare bookings.

The last day you can book TAP Air Portugal flights to earn or redeem TrueBlue points will be 9/30/25. The deadline to travel and submit any requests for retroactive TrueBlue points must also be completed on or before 9/30/25. Please note, this partnership termination will not impact any cash bookings made on TAP Air Portugal. We apologize for any inconvenience.” – JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue Owns Landing Slots At Lisbon

In November of 2023, JetBlue applied for sufficient landing slots at Lisbon to operate two daily departures. Flights would likely operate once daily from Boston, and another from New York-JFK as they have done with London, and Paris for example. In June of last year, the slots were approved for the upcoming season but JetBlue instead doubled down on a codeshare partnership in February 2025 and reciprocal loyalty program recognition.

“JetBlue and TAP Air Portugal announced they are extending their existing partnership with the addition of reciprocal point earning and redemption for award travel, available now. Members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program and of TAP’s Miles&Go program are now able to earn and redeem points using the program of their choice when flying across either network. It marks the first time JetBlue TrueBlue members can redeem TrueBlue points for flights on one of JetBlue’s European airline partners.” – JetBlue

The partnership might have been to connect JetBlue customers originating on its operated flights and then carry them onward throughout TAP’s network. That would explain the slot requests but perhaps equipment deliveries forced JetBlue to rethink its approach and codeshare and align the loyalty program with TAP too. However, it’s also possible that the TAP tie-up was struck to keep JetBlue from operating the route at all. Most of the Portuguese diaspora in the US is in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York with a strong contingent in California. Due to the proximity of Lisbon to Boston (3,215 nautical miles), it can be covered by the airline’s A321LR fleet, but the upcoming XLRs make it much more comfortable especially during challenging winds. The carrier is set to receive some of that 13-aircraft order this fall.

Announcement Imminent?

Nothing had changed until Friday night when the end to the loyalty program partnership was announced with an end date of September 30th, less than seven months after it began. With just 65 days notice, and impending deliveries of more than enough A321XLRs to operate the flight itself, it seems an announcement – after an extended process – may finally be imminent.

Then again, perhaps not. JetBlue’s loyalty partnership with TAP has not led to the same land grab for award seats that its partnership with Japan Airlines has. Maybe it simply wasn’t working out.

Still, the timing leads me to believe that JetBlue’s own flights might finally be taking off. Notice of 60, 90, or 120 days seems more standard. And it would make sense that the carrier wanted to make sure expected deliveries are close to becoming actual deliveries after the delay issues engine manufacturers have experienced over the last couple of years. Airbus announced some deliveries could extend for up to three more years. It also stands to reason that codeshares would remain in effect as both airlines could benefit from onward travel partners, though TAP is a member of the Star Alliance and has plenty of support from United and Air Canada for North American bound travelers.

Conclusion

After nearly two years of speculation (longer by this author) JetBlue’s late night announcement, short timeline, and new aircraft delivery seem to point to one conclusion: it will soon fly to Lisbon. It’s clear that the airline sees its market position as being an international carrier and continues to explore options that take JetBlue fliers to Europe from Boston and New York. Interest in travel to Portugal has been incredibly high over the last two years and it makes sense that the airline would want to capture that momentum at its earliest opportunity.

What do you think?