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.
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.