Dubai-based carrier Emirates has confirmed that it has agreed on a codeshare and interline arrangement with United.

From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston will be able to connect onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket.

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

United has said that it will launch a new direct flight between New York/Newark and Dubai starting March 2023. United added that tickets for its new Dubai flight are now on sale. From Dubai, its customers can travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to over 100 cities.

Customers of both airlines can soon book connecting flights on a single ticket. The agreement is expected to significantly ease check-in and luggage transfer across several global routes. For example, travellers will be able to now use United’s website to book a flight from New York/Newark to Karachi, while Emirates customers can book a flight from Dubai to Atlanta or Honolulu.

This new agreement will also give the loyalty programme members of both airlines a chance to earn miles on each other’s routes. Emirates Skywards members will soon be able to 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.

Eligible customers travelling on codeshare flights will also soon be able to access both Emirates and United lounges.

“It’s a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous consumer benefit and bring the UAE and the US 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,” said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline.

Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, added, “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.”

Emirates outlines $2 billion customer experience investment

Both the airlines have already announced extensive upgrade and expansion programmes. Emirates will retrofit more than 120 aircraft as part of a US$2 billion upgrade programme, while United will expand by adding 500 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

emirates.com, united.com