Emirates and United announce codeshare partnership

Emirates and United have announced a codeshare agreement which will enhance each airline’s network and give customers easier access to hundreds of new destinations within the United States and around the world.

From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston - three of the biggest business hubs in the U.S – will be able to easily connect onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket.

At the eight other U.S. airports served by Emirates – Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC – both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place.

And United will launch a new direct flight between New York/Newark and Dubai starting in March 2023. Customers flying into Dubai will then be able to travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to more than 100 cities. Tickets for United’s new Dubai flight are now on sale.

Emirates and United announced their agreement on Wednesday at a ceremonial event at Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C., hosted by United CEO Scott Kirby and Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, featuring United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier.

Speaking exclusively to Dubai Eye 103.8's Business Breakfast, Sir Tim Clark, the President of Emirates Airline highlighted the main benefits of the agreement.

He hailed the codeshare as a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous benefits for travellers and bring the UAE and the United States even closer and said he hopes the agreement could someday grow into a joint venture, like the one Emirates has with Australian carrier Qantas. 

He told Brandy Scott from the Business Breakfast that Emirates hopes to further increase their reach in North America in the future.

Sir Tim  also welcomed United’s return to Dubai next year, where the city will essentially become a gateway for United to reach Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the combined network of Emirates and flydubai. 

The codeshare agreement marks a significant turnaround in relations between Emirates and United. For years, United and other major U.S. carriers including Delta and American Airlines had lobbied against Gulf-based airlines such as Emirates expanding into the United States, arguing the state-owned carriers were competing unfairly with backing from government subsidies, a claim which was denied. This announcement is the latest example of increasingly cooperative relationships, as Sir Tim explained in his exclusive chat with Brandy Scott.

Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines also welcomed the launch of the codeshare. Speaking at the Dulles International ceremony he said the "agreement unites two iconic, flag carrier airlines who share a common commitment to creating the best customer experience in the skies. United’s new flight to Dubai and our complementary networks will make global travel easier for millions of our customers, helping boost local economies and strengthen cultural ties. This is a proud moment for both United and Emirates employees, and I look forward to our journey together.”

The agreement will also give loyalty programme members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards. Emirates Skywards members can soon earn miles when they travel on United operated flights, and United Mileage Plus members flying on United’s New York/Newark to Dubai flight will be able to earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond on Emirates and flydubai.

Come fly with us! Together with @United, we are spreading our wings like never before. Find out more at https://t.co/2fAXFvWIM5 pic.twitter.com/As9vL4FRQT

— Emirates (@emirates) September 14, 2022