Why United Airlines and Emirates’ Partnership Caps a Decade of Fighting

Why United Airlines and Emirates’ Partnership Caps a Decade of Fighting

United Airlines and Emirates announced a new partnership in 2022 that would see greater cooperation between the two airlines with interlining and codesharing agreements. This has already begun, starting earlier this year. Such collaboration is a big move for two airlines that had major disagreements over unfair competition not long ago.

The new cooperation between United Airlines and Emirates was announced in the third quarter of 2022 and came into effect in March 2023. This is a big move for the two airlines and even includes tie-ups between the two frequent flyer programs.

The new partnership has many benefits, but the top among them is its global presence. Emirates passengers will have access to many new destinations in the United Airlines network. And similarly, United Airlines passengers will have greater international options, although this is comparatively limited.

Emirates will serve three main hubs primarily – Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. From there, passengers will have much easier through-ticketing and onward connections to United Airlines destinations in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and Central and South America.

There is also collaboration between the two airline frequent flyer programs. Emirates Skywards members can earn and