United resumes services to Dubai with daily flight from New York

On Monday, United Airlines said that it had launched a new nonstop daily service between its New York/Newark hub and Dubai International (DXB).

United is thus the only US airline to offer nonstop flights between Dubai and the US. The schedule of its new daily flights is below.

United, Emirates codeshare agreement

In September last year, Dubai-based carrier Emirates agreed on a codeshare and interline arrangement with United.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates, United ink agreement to expand market presence, enhance networks

By way of that agreement, customers from the US flying to Dubai can travel onwards with Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to over 100 different cities, whilst customers flying from Dubai to New York can avail of onward connections with United to over 80 destinations across the Americas.

The agreement between also extends to the airline’s respective loyalty programmes.

United MileagePlus members flying on the airline’s Newark/New York to Dubai flight can earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond to select Emirates destinations in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, whilst Emirates Skywards members can earn miles when they travel on United operated flights too.

Customers booked in United Polaris can access Emirates lounges when travelling on or connecting to and from Dubai.

Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances, said: “Our new service between New York/Newark and Dubai, along with our new partnership with Emirates and flydubai, makes it even easier for customers to travel to Dubai or connect to any of the hundred destinations offered by our partners across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.” United said that it would fly to 37 cities in Europe, Africa and the Middle East this summer, reportedly more destinations than all other US airlines combined.

Hey @emirates, counting down to tonight’s flight to Dubai!

— United Airlines (@united) March 25, 2023

The new service marks United’s return to Dubai, which the airline previously served until 2016. Majed Al Joker, chief operating officer of Dubai Airports, added: “We are thrilled to welcome United Airlines back to Dubai International (DXB) with the launch of their new nonstop daily service from New York/Newark. The new service enhances DXB’s connectivity with the United States, reinforcing our position as a leading global hub, and enabling us to offer our guests greater access to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and beyond.”

The commencement of this route is also expected to boost tourism arrivals from North America to Dubai.

Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, an increase of 97 per cent year-on-year from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals it recorded in 2021. “As global tourism continues to recover rapidly, Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations for US travellers seeking to explore the Middle East,” said Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

“This direct route opened by United Airlines will pave the way for an increased flow of leisure and business travellers to Dubai from the US, an important North American market, which shows ongoing opportunities for growth. It is also a testament to the continued support extended by our global partners like United Airlines to drive growth and maintain the stability of Dubai’s tourism sector.”

This article originally appeared on Business Traveller Middle East