Two former adversaries in the airline world have announced a new codeshare agreement.
United Airlines and Emirates on Wednesday announced the new agreement designed to bolster each airline’s network in the United States and worldwide.
Details of the agreement were unveiled in a ceremony Wednesday morning at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – a United hub. The event, hosted by United CEO Scott Kirby, Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, and attended by other representatives from each airline, took place in a United hangar at Dulles. Two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft – one from each airline – provided the backdrop for the ceremony.
What this Means for United Customers
Beginning on 27 March 2023, United plans to launch service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Dubai International Airport (DXB). Once in Dubai, customers will be able to seamlessly connect to more than 100 destinations via Emirates or flydubai, an Emirati government-owned low-cost carrier based at DXB.
UA164 will depart Newark Liberty at 2215 local time and arrive in Dubai at 1940 local time the following day. The scheduled flight time between EWR and DXB is 13 hours and 25-minutes. On the return trip, UA163 will depart Dubai at 0215 and arrive in Newark 14 hours and 50 minutes later at 0905, both times local.
United plans to deploy a Boeing 777-200ER on the new route.
Passengers can book connecting flights from Dubai on Emirates on the same ticket. Tickets for United’s new Dubai service are already for sale.
“This agreement unites two iconic, flag carrier airlines who share a common commitment to creating the best customer experience in the skies,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “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.”
This flight was still subject to government approval at the time of writing.
What this Means for Emirates Customers
For Emirates customers, the benefits of the new agreement will begin several months earlier than those of United customers.
Beginning this November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago O’Hare (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) will have the ability to connect to nearly 200 cities in United’s network.
Emirates customers flying into its other eight U.S. destinations – Washington Dulles (IAD), Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas/Ft.Worth (DFW), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA), and Seattle (SEA) – will be able to take advantage of an interline agreement with both carriers.
“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,” said Emirates President Sir Tim Clark. “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.”
Besides the obvious advantages, such as more efficient check-in and luggage transfer options, United MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem miles on select connecting flights from Dubai. Emirates Skywards members will be able to earn and redeem miles, and enjoy the use of United lounges, when traveling on any United flight. Additionally, United customers will have access to Emirates lounges when connecting to and from United’s EWR-DXB flight.
Both carriers say additional announcements are forthcoming regarding benefits for customers in both loyalty programs.
Is the Timing Right This Time?
With the rebound in post-pandemic international travel, Wednesday’s announcement makes sense – despite years of tension between U.S. and Gulf carriers. It will also reintroduce United to one of the most highly sought-after destinations in the world.
United last served Dubai from Washington Dulles in 2016. The carrier discontinued the flight in January 2016, saying the introduction of subsidized carriers such as Emirates and Etihad at IAD “created an imbalance between supply and demand to the United Arab Emirates.”
As tensions continue to thaw and post-pandemic travel continues to soar, this new agreement opens up a new world of possibilities for customers of both United and Emirates. The news comes on the heels of recent announcements regarding similar agreements between Etihad and JetBlue, as well as Qatar and American.
