Emirates connects 800 cities via partner deals

The carrier plans to continue to evolve its partnership strategy by advancing many of its interline partnerships to full-fledged codeshare agreement

by Kudakwashe Muzoriwa

July 12, 2023

Emirates connects 800 cities via partner deals

Image credit: Emirates/ Twitter

Emirates now flies direct or indirect to more than 800 cities, as the carrier’s strategic partnerships have helped fuel its growth and enabled frictionless connectivity while bolstering loyalty reciprocity and tapping into unique markets.

While the airline’s business model has always been to grow organically, its partnerships such as interline agreements and codeshares have helped to expand its global footprint, enabling the airline’s customers to reach places far beyond its network.

The Dubai-based carrier plans to continue to evolve its partnership strategy by advancing many of its interline partnerships to full-fledged codeshare agreements while strengthening its existing codeshares to build on its already industry-leading network position.

Since the signing of its first interline agreement, the airline’s global partner network has grown exponentially across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. It has 29 codeshare, 117 interline and 11 intermodal rail partners across the transport ecosystem in over 100 countries.

The company provides an array of travel choices through flexible schedules and offers seamless connectivity, relevance and a network reach that extends to over 5,250 additional sectors.

800 cities, 157 partners and endless travel options. Our codeshare and interline partnerships help our customers reach places far beyond our own network. https://t.co/dlR4dapEkr pic.twitter.com/JRbzOtIKnX

— Emirates (@emirates) July 12, 2023

The sprawling network allows customers to book connecting flights with its partners and enjoy perks that range from seamless single ticket itineraries to baggage transfers to frequent flyer benefits and lounge access.

“We have a long-standing history of partnerships that have reshaped the way people travel around the world,” Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ chief commercial officer said, adding that it reflects the carrier’s commitment to providing customers greater flexibility and confidence when planning their travel itineraries.

Kazim added that the airline’s sprawling network also enhances Dubai’s connectivity to the world by providing direct and indirect links while driving the city’s tourism sector and boosting business and trade opportunities.

More than 50,000 travellers connect to their destination of choice on codeshare or interline flights operated by Emirates’ many partners on an average week.

Emirates’ expansive network

Emirates’ partnership with flydubai has not only bolstered traffic flows in and out of its Dubai hub but has also delivered enhanced connectivity to more than 215 destinations across 98 countries and over 250 codeshare flights to choose from on an average day.

Last year, the carrier signed codeshare and interline agreements with 11 airlines. Besides the cornerstone codeshare agreements with United Airlines and Air Canada, which expanded the airline’s connectivity to over 570 points in the Americas, Emirates signed up with Airlink, Aegean Airlines, Air Tanzania, ITA Airways, Bamboo Airways, Batik Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and SKY Express, further expanding network choices it offers to customers.

This means in the Americas, the airline reaches cities beyond major airports such as Corpus Christi through United and Halifax with Air Canada. In Asia, travellers have strong connection opportunities to leisure points such As Koi Samui in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos with partner Bangkok Airways.

In Africa, South African Airways and Kenya Airways connect Emirates customers to an array of underserved points including Vilanculos, Kilimanjaro, Juba and Maputo.

The airline also recently announced an interline agreement with Kenya Airways. In 2023, Emirates is set to enter into new partnerships and deepen the level of cooperation on existing ones with airlines across East, South and Central Asia, Africa and Europe.

Meanwhile, the carrier’s loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards and its freight division, Emirates SkyCargo work closely with codeshare and interline partners to coordinate holistic partnerships that complement network and loyalty programme frameworks.

On the operational side, Emirates Airport Services play a pivotal role in helping make connectivity work seamlessly and enabling reciprocal lounge access for customers.