Emirates and United recently signed a historic commercial agreement that will enhance each airline’s network and give their customers easier access to hundreds of new destinations within the United States and around the world.

From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston - three of the biggest business hubs in the US – will be able to easily 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 will launch a new direct flight between New York/Newark and Dubai starting in March 2023 – from there, customers will be able to travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to more than 100 cities. Tickets for United’s new Dubai flight are now on sale.

“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. 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,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

Customers of both airlines can soon book these connecting flights on a single ticket – making check-in and luggage transfer faster and easier. This agreement will also give the loyalty programme members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards: Emirates Skywards members can soon 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 enjoy access to Emirates and United lounges.

The airline recently began flying daily from Ha Noi (HAN) and has six flights per week from HCM City (SGN) to destinations in Europe and the US. — VNS