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United Airlines and Emirates announced a new partnership at a media event at Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Highlighting the new partnership's importance and depth, the CEOs of both United and Emirates were present at the event.
This new partnership promises to make easier connections, launch at least one new United route to Dubai, and open new mileage and redeeming opportunities. Here's what we know so far.
New United and Emirates Partnership
Although this event was just the initial announcement of the airline partnership, it seems this relationship will be much deeper than the one Emirates had with JetBlue for the last 10 years. So far, we know the new partnership will include the following:
- United will start a new route from Newark to Dubai in March 2023.
- Coming soon, customers will be able to book connecting flights on a single itinerary, enabling easy check-in and seamless luggage transfers.
- Emirates Skywards and flydubai members will be able to earn miles when flying on United-operated flights.
- United MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on Emirates metal when connecting from the new Newark to Dubai route.
- Eligible United passengers on the new Newark to Dubai route will have access to Emirates lounges when connecting in Dubai.
What United and Emirates are Saying About the New Partnership
Commenting on the new relationship, United CEO Scott Kirby stated:
“This 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.”
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark added:
“Two of the biggest, and best-known airlines in the world are joining hands to fly people better to more places, at a time when travel demand is rebounding with a vengeance. It's a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous consumer benefit and bring the United Arab Emirates and the United States even closer…We welcome United's return to Dubai next year, where our hub Dubai essentially becomes a gateway for United to reach Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the combined network of Emirates and flydubai. We look forward to developing our partnership with United for the long term.”
Unanswered Questions About This New Partnership
At first glance, this is a promising start to the partnership. But, there are still lots of questions to be answered in the coming months.
Will Emirates members be able to redeem miles for United-operated flights in the same way it seems United members can? Will eligible Emirates passengers be able to access United lounges when connecting to a United-operated flight?
Over the next few months, we expect both airlines to further flesh out the details of their burgeoning partnership.
Our Take
Emirates seems to be looking to build bridges with the US aviation industry and establish a strong spirit of cooperation. That is why the new partnership with United looks like a step up from Emirates' previous tie-up with JetBlue.
While we are still at the beginning of this relationship, hopefully, both carriers will grow this relationship further. This new partnership is great news for travelers. After all, the more options and flexibility travelers have, the better.
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It’ll be interesting to see the full depth of this, and if it will get deeper in the future. For example, seems MileagePlus members can earn on EK when connecting from the UA flight, but no mention of PQP/F.
Also seems interesting to me all the partnerships EK now has with *A carriers. Are they starting to re-think the long-time strategy of being unwilling to join an alliance? Now, seems they are partnering with Agean, Copa, SAA, TAP, Thai, and now this upcoming partnership with UA (replacing JetBlue) and their upcoming partnership with AC (presumably instead of the current partnership with Westjet). Sounds like these partnerships could be a precursor to a *A memebrship?
On the other hand, I do remember back in the days when the pre-merger United used to fly IAD-Dubai, and used to offer onwards connections on EK. My wife flew that way to India sometimes. Back in those days though, there was no mileage earning on the EK segments.