JetBlue vs. American Airlines: Which Is Better?
JetBlue gives American Airlines a run for its money in this showdown of domestic carriers, but its limited routes won’t get you nearly as far.
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Updated · 5 min read
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Contributing Writer 
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Contributing Editor If you're looking at JetBlue Airways and American Airlines, the choice comes down to flight experience or an expansive route network. Both are solid options for different sets of travelers.
Consider each airline's loyalty program, classes of service, potential for elite status and number of routes. Where each airline goes (or doesn’t) may be the deciding factor. Here's how they compare.
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Where they’re based and where they fly
Winner for route options: American
American
As a member of the Oneworld alliance, American has more than a dozen partner airlines with which it shares reciprocal flight benefits to over 900 destinations in 170 countries. On its own, American features more than 350 destinations in 60 countries on its expansive route network.
American hub cities include:
- Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Chicago.
- Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Los Angeles.
- Miami.
- New York.
- Philadelphia.
- Phoenix.
- Washington, D.C.
No matter where you want to go, chances are you can get there on American or a partner airline. The worldwide network is a massive asset for American flyers.
» Learn more: The complete guide to American Airlines partners
JetBlue
JetBlue isn’t a member of an airline alliance, but it still has partnerships. Among its nine individual partners are airlines such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways.
It has a much smaller route network than American, with just over 100 destinations worldwide. Although JetBlue continues to expand, it’s going to take a while before it can catch up with American.
JetBlue’s focus cities include:
- Boston.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Los Angeles.
- New York.
- Orlando, Florida.
- San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Its international destinations are focused on the Caribbean, Latin America and a handful of European cities. Through its partnerships, you can get much further, but there are many places, even domestically, that you simply can’t reach with JetBlue. For comparison, JetBlue serves 65 domestic destinations whereas American serves 227 airports throughout the country.
Airline loyalty programs
Winner for value of program and rewards: American
American Airlines AAdvantage
American’s AAdvantage loyalty program is unique in that you don’t need to fly to accrue Loyalty Points, which is the metric American uses to determine your elite status tier. Instead, those who shop, dine or spend on credit cards — plus those who fly — can earn elite status, making it much more accessible to most travelers.
American uses semi-fixed pricing for award tickets, especially when it comes to partners. These can represent a substantial value and are one reason why NerdWallet values American miles at 1.3 cents each.
American ties with JetBlue in NerdWallet’s ranking of best airline reward programs, but American has the edge of the three largest domestic airlines.
» Learn more: The guide to American Airlines elite status
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue has been busy revamping its TrueBlue program over the last few years. And while its elite benefits are objectively more generous than American’s, like points for family flights and upgrades for companions, status is more difficult to earn, particularly if JetBlue doesn’t fly to where you want to go.
JetBlue does offer some exceptional value when redeeming TrueBlue points for Qatar Airways Qsuites, which American struggles with. However, for award flights on its own metal, JetBlue uses a dynamic pricing system. The cash price of the ticket directly impacts how many points you need for a redemption. Prices vary based on route and demand, making it tough to plan how many points you’ll need for a flight.
Even still, NerdWallet values JetBlue points at 1.4 cents each, which is on par with American. JetBlue leads with a better rewards rate and ease of earning points outside of flying, but doesn’t have nearly as many high-value airline partners as American.
» Learn more: How to earn and redeem with JetBlue partners
Extra fees
Winner for lowest fees: American
American
American offers free Wi-Fi to AAdvantage members (The program is free to join.). It charges $150 to have your pet tag along in the cabin. However, it can be cheaper to check a bag during peak periods since JetBlue will charge you $40 and American just $35 if you prepay online.
JetBlue
JetBlue built its brand on offering more amenities for lower costs than the competition. This is reflected in a variety of ways: Wi-Fi is free, complimentary full-size snacks are offered to all passengers and bringing a pet in cabin costs $150.
But these days, JetBlue ranks last in NerdWallet’s assessment of airline fees with the highest prices for checked bags and seat selection. JetBlue tallied $173.33 in fees, while American racked up $113.33. Of note is a $75 fee to standby or switch your flight on the day of departure and an average seat selection price of $73.33 compared to American’s $33.33.
JetBlue also has peak and off-peak pricing if you check a bag. Peak pricing is $5 or $10 more during every major holiday and all of July and August, plus another $5 or $10 more if you add a checked bag within 24 hours of departure on all flights except those that cross the Atlantic. If you usually check bags, these fees can add up in a hurry.
» Learn more: Which airlines have the best (and worst) fees?
In-flight experience
Winner of the sky: JetBlue
JetBlue
JetBlue offers seats with more legroom, free Wi-Fi, free live TV, seatback screens at every seat and free full-size snacks.
That’s just in economy. In JetBlue Mint, JetBlue’s version of business class, you’ll find pod-like lie-flat beds that are among the best in the world. That puts JetBlue’s in-air experience ahead of American’s for most (if not all) passengers.
» Learn more: The best airline for in-flight entertainment
American
American has multiple cabins on its aircraft, including Main Cabin Extra, premium economy, first class and business class.
While in flight, passengers can expect to receive complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic drinks on flights over 250 miles. Those in more expensive cabins can enjoy free alcohol and meals (depending on flight timing and duration). Long-haul flights include meals for all passengers, regardless of class of service.
American has been doing away with seatback entertainment on its aircraft. While you’ll still find it on long-haul routes, it’s a good idea to bring your own device.
» Learn more: JetBlue Mint: Your guide to flying first class
Reliability
Winner for most reliable: JetBlue
NerdWallet analyzed the largest U.S. airlines for several metrics, including on-time arrivals, flight cancellations and mishandled bags.
Overall, JetBlue is more reliable than American, with American landing in last place with the most cancellations and highest number of mishandled bags. American also has the next-to-last on-time percentage, with 75.31% of flights arriving on-time. And last place is JetBlue, which isn’t far behind with 74.27% of its flights arriving as expected.
If you don’t have much wiggle room in your schedule, it’s worth factoring in the time you’d potentially spend getting rebooked or spending time finding your checked luggage at your destination.
Credit card offerings
Winner for best credit cards: American
American
American offers more credit cards than JetBlue, with a variety of annual fees for those willing to spend a little more. Of particular note is the ability to get lounge access and earn Loyalty Points with every purchase.
American Airlines credit cards
Annual Fee
- $0
- $595
- $350
Still not sure?
JetBlue
JetBlue has three personal credit cards and a business option. They lack some of the better benefits offered on American’s co-branded credit cards.
JetBlue credit cards
Annual Fee
- $0
- $99
- $499
Still not sure?
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
JetBlue vs. American Airlines: The results
For most travelers, American is the clear winner. You simply cannot beat the number of destinations, especially when you factor in its Oneworld alliance partners. However, JetBlue is the winner for some domestic flyers, with a passenger experience that hearkens back to the golden days of aviation rather than the cattle call of the modern era.
How to maximize your rewards
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- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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