Emirates, a global titan of the aviation industry, has been leading the charge in developing a worldwide network, defying the boundaries of air travel. Fueled by an array of comprehensive partnerships, the airline now connects travellers to an unprecedented reach of over 800 cities.
In a typical week, upwards of 50,000 passengers tap into the Emirates network to reach their desired destinations via codeshare or interline flights offered by the airline’s extensive partners. The development and nurturing of these alliances over the years have formed the backbone of the airline’s growth. Furthermore, they’ve facilitated seamless connectivity, boosted customer loyalty, and established unique traffic streams from untapped markets.
Although Emirates has been traditionally committed to organic growth, the airline recognizes the value of strategic alliances, such as interline agreements and codeshares. These collaborations have been instrumental in expanding Emirates’ worldwide reach, enabling its customers to journey to destinations far beyond its own network. The airline is geared to deepen its partnership strategy further, enhancing many of its interline agreements to full-fledged codeshare partnerships, thereby fortifying its industry-leading network position.
You can visit the Emirates website here to explore the airline’s partners.
Since launching its first interline agreement, the airline’s global partnership network has blossomed, spanning Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Currently, Emirates boasts 29 codeshare, 117 interline, and 11 intermodal rail partnerships across over 100 countries, offering travellers various choices through flexible scheduling.
Travellers are spoiled with unparalleled connection opportunities, with the network covering over 5,250 additional sectors encompassing more than 800 cities. The sheer reach of Emirates’ network, bolstered by partnerships, facilitates connection to cities beyond significant airports in the Americas, like Corpus Christi through United and Halifax with Air Canada, as well as coveted leisure spots in Asia like Koi Samui in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos via Bangkok Airways. Furthermore, Emirates’ alliances with South African and Kenya Airways provide connection opportunities to diverse African points like Vilanculos, Kilimanjaro, Juba, and Maputo.
In addition to enhanced connectivity, customers can book flights with the airline’s partners and relish the benefits of single-ticket itineraries, baggage transfers, frequent flyer perks, lounge access, and more, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
“We have a long-standing history of partnerships that have reshaped the way people travel around the world,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer. “These alliances have enabled direct and indirect links to over 800 cities, thereby boosting tourism, business, and trade opportunities.”
In the last year alone, Emirates inked codeshare and interline agreements with 11 airlines. Apart from critical codeshare agreements with United Airlines and Air Canada, Emirates also signed agreements with airlines such as Airlink, Aegean Airlines, Air Tanzania, ITA Airways, Bamboo Airways, Batik Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and SKY Express, offering customers an even more comprehensive array of network choices.
Emirates plans to forge new partnerships and deepen existing ones across East, South and Central Asia, Africa, and Europe. The airline’s loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards, and its freight division, Emirates SkyCargo, continue to work closely with codeshare and interline partners, aiming to coordinate comprehensive partnerships that enhance the loyalty programme and help to reach new markets more efficiently.
Through the airline’s strategic partnerships with over 140 airlines, Emirates has created an unrivalled customer experience, expanding city pairs on a single ticket and offering an integrated loyalty programme.
Among many other partnerships, Emirates’ ground-breaking alliance with Qantas has significantly boosted connectivity options and customer value, giving access to destinations across continents that the airline does not directly serve. These alliances benefit customers and drive tourism, boost businesses, and foster trade ties.
In conclusion, Emirates’ pioneering efforts in creating a vast global partner network are not only reshaping the aviation industry but also transforming the way people travel, making the world more accessible than ever before.
Written by: Christine Nguyen
