After spending years asking the federal government to violate a treaty with the United Arab Emirates and block Emirates from flying to the U.S., several months ago they entered into a partnership with the Gulf carrier. The partnership does very little so far, but helped make the case for United to launch its own Newark – Dubai flight.
MileagePlus members cannot simply earn and redeem miles with Emirates through this partnership (in contrast to Air Canada Aeroplan members!). United and Emirates launched a codeshare, which involves mileage-earning, but so far India has rejected allowing them to codeshare on flights to that country.
Emirates Airbus A380 Old First Class
There’s been much talk of expanding the partnership, and Emirates President Sir Tim Clark revealed something of the plan to Brian Sumers which he covers in his excellent (subscription) Airline Observer.
- United approached Emirates about partnering, not the other way around
- And the model that United had in mind was an Emirates-Qantas style joint venture with coordinated pricing and schedules
- They could still move in that direction
- United may add a Washington Dulles – Dubai flight
For more than 10 years, Emirates has had a close relationship with Qantas, allowing the two carriers to coordinate on capacity, pricing and schedules, with approval from key regulators. More recently, United and Emirates agreed on a much less broad partnership, with a codeshare agreement, but eventually it could ramp up, Clark said. “The Qantas-Emirates model is something that United were looking at when they approached us,” Clark said. Such an arrangement may or may not happen, but Clark said Emirates would like to build on its new partnerships with United and Air Canada. “It’s likely that we will nurture those and grow those,” he said. He suggested Emirates will add more routes to North America, and that United may complement Newark-Dubai with a new flight from Washington Dulles.
United Airlines Business Class
Aeroplan offers earning and redemption with Emirates, but they’re the only Air Canada partner with redemption pricing on its own separate table. While United keeps ratcheting up the pricing of partner awards, it seems like they’d want special higher pricing for Emirates travel as well due to the cost Emirates charges (and to avoid passing on fuel surcharges). That should be easier for United to do since they’ve eliminated award charts altogether. They can just present the higher price.
Of course United is willing to throw its Star Alliance joint venture partners under the bus in order to add a few more dots on its route map via Emirates.
There is no way that the LH Group can compete financially against Emirates in a joint venture.
Can someone explain to me in clear, simple language (I’m not an attorney) why these anti-trust immunities for the airlines are still in existence. They screw the public. Why are they still around?????
@ Gary — Oh great, they do a crappy job of operating EWR-DXB, why not give them more of the same?
While UA may offer up a better seat in Polaris over Emirates Business (sort of), the idea of picking UA over EK for a flight to or through DXB seems insane. While EK is a lot of smoke and mirrors, you will find better products, better service, and a more worldly experience than anything UA can offer on 25+ year old 777s, unpolished flight attendants, and the cattle car feel.
Naturally, United is ready to discredit its Star Alliance joint venture partners in order to add a few more destinations to its route map via Emirates.
In a joint venture, the LH Group cannot possibly compete financially with Emirates.
@Gene, are the problems with the flight because the put it in EWR? I will avoid connections there simply because they are guaranteed to be delayed for no reason other than airport congestion.
Given the Soviet-style gerrymandering at DCA, and despite awkward arrangements at IAD, more consumer choices at IAD has to be a net benefit to the discerning passenger. EK A380 and UA B777 definitely will attract different passengers wanting different experiences to the exact same destination.
Aeroplan offers earning and redemption with Emirates, but they’re the only Air Canada partner with redemption pricing on its own separate table.