Report: United, Emirates to launch codeshare partnership
In a somewhat remarkable turn of events, United Airlines and Emirates are reportedly set to launch a codeshare partnership.
The news was reported overnight Tuesday by industry publication The Air Current, citing people familiar with the plan. Hours later, United sent out invites to members of the media teasing a Sept. 14 media event at one of United's hubs, Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Adding to the intrigue, the official Twitter accounts of United and Emirates also teased the event, which will feature United CEO Scott Kirby and Emirates president Sir Tim Clark.
The news showcases a remarkable thawing of relations between a U.S. carrier and the largest of the state-supported Middle Eastern carriers.
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In 2017, United's then-CEO, Oscar Munoz, complained about the subsidies that Middle Eastern airlines received from their home countries — in Emirates' case, the United Arab Emirates.
"Those airlines aren’t airlines," Munoz said. "They’re international branding vehicles for their countries."
The following month, United ended its interline agreement with five Middle Eastern carriers, including Emirates and its sister airline, Flydubai.
Munoz's comments and United's actions came as part of an industry push against those airlines during a period of remarkable tension. In one memorable 2016 incident, Delta Air Lines didn't make an A380 gate available at its main hub of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for a superjumbo that Qatar Airways flew in, and instead had passengers deplane using stairs.
At the core of the dispute were fifth-freedom flights — traffic rights granted to carriers that allow them to fly from the U.S. (or any other country), with an intermediate stop in a second country before flying to their home country.
In Emirates' case, it flies from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Athens International Airport (ATH) — a flight, that, as The Air Current notes, will now likely carry a United flight number as part of the codeshare.
Traffic between Europe and the U.S. is incredibly lucrative for U.S. carriers, and fifth-freedom flights allow Middle Eastern carriers to offer a superior passenger experience at a competitive price.
United's reported move follows a deepening of ties between American Airlines and its Middle Eastern partner, Qatar Airways. While both are members of the Oneworld alliance, the two airlines have drawn closer in recent years. This summer, American launched a flight between its JFK hub and Qatar's hub at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.
More: Why American’s new Doha route isn’t as surprising at it seems
United would be Emirates' second codeshare partner in the U.S., as it already codeshares with JetBlue.
Last month, Emirates and Air Canada, another Star Alliance member, announced a codeshare. A source told The Air Current that the United codeshare is a prelude to Emirates joining Star Alliance.
While the details of the codeshare have yet to be announced, it's all but certain to mean that cash and award tickets will be bookable on each others' websites. In theory, that means that those with large stashes of United MileagePlus miles could possibly book Emirates first class tickets — a bucket list experience for many AvGeeks. (Of course, Emirates could also choose not to make those premium seats available to United.)
Emirates currently serves 12 U.S. destinations, including all of United's hubs except for Denver International Airport (DEN).
As for United, it last served Emirates' home at Dubai International Airport from Dulles in January 2016, ending the service during the tensions with the Middle Eastern carriers. With a new codeshare, it's very possible that United will again serve the Middle Eastern mega-hub.
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees