SINGAPORE, 3 April 2023: Emirates and United have activated their codeshare partnership, allowing Emirates customers easier access to expanded U.S. destinations.

Starting last Friday, Emirates customers can fly to three of the nation’s biggest business hubs – Chicago, Houston or San Francisco – and connect easily to United’s flights to an extensive domestic U.S. network.

Tickets are available to purchase from today on emirates.com as well as through trade channels, including travel agencies.

With the launch of the partnership, Emirates customers heading to the U.S. can now look forward to access to more than 150 U.S. cities in the United network via the three gateways.

Similarly, Emirates customers in the U.S. planning trips to Dubai and beyond have many choices. They can use United’s services to connect to Emirates-operated flights bound for Dubai via Chicago, Houston or San Francisco. The world just got bigger for U.S. travellers journeying to Emirates’ extensive network beyond Dubai, including many unique destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

On the flights, passengers can enjoy Emirates’ award-winning services and a host of convenient travel benefits the agreement provides. Travellers with itineraries on Emirates’ codeshare flights can plan their entire trip on a single ticket and take advantage of the airline’s baggage allowance, in addition to convenient bag check-through to the final destination.

Emirates also enables its Skywards members to earn and redeem miles on all flights across United’s worldwide network.

The partnership unlocks a host of popular destinations accessible from Emirates gateways, such as Atlanta, Austin, Denver, Minneapolis and Phoenix. Emirates passengers planning trips to destinations such as Detroit can fly direct from Dubai to Chicago or Houston and simply connect on a United flight to the final destination while enjoying the hassle-free flight benefits. The reciprocal benefits extend to passengers flying out of the U.S. using Emirates services to fly to Dubai, with the same easy access from a vast network of domestic cities and connection at one of the three hubs.

Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, commented: “We are extremely delighted to activate this historic partnership with United and significantly expand our footprint in the U.S. United’s vast network across the Americas will help us to offer more choice to our customer base from across the globe, and meet demand from across segments including the leisure, VFR, corporate travellers and students who can now connect seamlessly to and from a broader network of more than 150 domestic points.”

Emirates and United have an interline arrangement that allows passengers to easily reach a wider choice of destinations in the Americas outside of the U.S. Emirates customers will be able to choose from dozens more destinations in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, while also enjoying conveniences such as the simplicity of flight itineraries on a single-ticket and smooth connections via the three hubs (Chicago, Houston and San Francisco).

Emirates currently offers services between its hub in Dubai and 12 U.S. cities, as well as five points across Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

More opportunities, more rewards

Under the agreement, Emirates Skywards members can earn miles on flights while travelling across United Airlines’ international and domestic networks.

The partnership will also enable MileagePlus members to earn miles on select flights in the Emirates network when travelling from Newark (EWR) to Dubai (DXB) on United Airlines and onwards to select destinations operated by Emirates.

The award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai continues to offer its 30 million members worldwide exclusive privileges.

Emirates’ network of 17 points across the Americas includes U.S. destinations Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD), Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Emirates also flies to Mexico City (MEX), Toronto (YYZ), Sao Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Buenos Aires (EZE).

About Emirates

From its global hub in Dubai, Emirates serves customers on six continents and operates the world’s largest fleet of wide-body Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft, offering spacious cabins and iconic inflight features such as its A380 Shower Spa and Onboard Lounge and its ice inflight entertainment system available in all seats across its fleet.

Emirates is committed to environmentally-responsible operations and focuses on three areas: Reducing emissions; consuming responsibly; and protecting wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.emirates.com

(Your Stories: Emirates)

DUBAI, UAE, 31 March 2023: With concerted efforts to further enhance support services for travellers with hidden disabilities, including Autism, Emirates has rolled out specialised training involving more than 24,000 global cabin crew and ground staff.

Collaborating with Dubai Airport, the support service delivers a helpful travel planner and autism-friendly route to make the pre-boarding experience more seamless and ensure passenger comfort onboard.

More than 24,000 cabin crew and ground staff globally have completed Emirates ‘Introduction to Autism and Hidden Disabilities training. The online course was first launched in 2022 and covered a range of topics from the UAE National Policy for People of Determination, recognising autism, practical tips on how to assist passengers with hidden disabilities, responding with empathy, and information on the official support systems to help passengers in the airport.

Categorised as a hidden disability, autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Known as a spectrum disorder, because there are wide variations in the types and severity of symptoms people experience, a range of sensory needs can occur. For some travellers, the airport and aircraft experience may feel too noisy, too bright, too unfamiliar, or too busy – and these are some areas in which Emirates strives to facilitate planned and positive travel experiences for customers with autism.

Before the journey begins

Information in advance

Emirates supports passengers with hidden disabilities by providing as much information in advance as possible so that families can plan, rehearse, and be reassured about their upcoming travel. Passengers can check the Accessible Travel page on Emirates.com for information and contact their Emirates local office with queries.

Free Seat Selection and Bulkhead Seat for autistic passengers and companions

Passengers who declare a hidden disability will be facilitated as much as possible in the complimentary selection of suitable seats, for example, the bulkhead seats at the front and middle of the aircraft for both the autistic passenger and their companion. This can be requested via Emirates’ local office.

Book with ‘DPNA code’ for extra support

A DPNA is an airline industry code for special service requests (SSR) for a ‘passenger with intellectual or developmental disability’. The DPNA code can be applied to a booking made in person, via telephone or travel agent and is applied once the hidden disability is declared so that the passenger will be supported throughout their journey with assistance from trained staff.

Study the ‘Autism Friendly Guide’ to Dubai International Airport

Emirates has collaborated with Dubai International Airport on a comprehensive pre-travel planning tool for passengers with hidden disabilities. The Autism Friendly Guide to Dubai International Airport provides a step-by-step explanation and images of every part of the journey from the airport to boarding and details the available services.

Pre-order meals

Some passengers may need a special meal onboard if they have sensory sensitivity. This can be ordered a minimum of 24 hours in advance on www.Emirates.com or on the Emirates app. There are options to order gluten-free meals, bland meals, vegetarian and diabetic meals. For Kids Meals, families travelling with an autistic passenger may contact the Emirates local office with their request in advance.

Pre-plan what to watch on ice via the Emirates app

Download the Emirates app, and before a flight – passengers can spend time planning and pre-selecting their favourite movies, TV shows or music playlists. Once the passenger has boarded, their personally curated playlist can be synced immediately to ice, saving time and enabling them to settle into the flight with the comfort of familiar content.

Arrival to airport

Complimentary parking for 2 hours

People of Determination get complimentary parking in all terminals in Dubai International Airport for 2 hours. People of Determination taxis can also be booked via Dubai Taxi on their toll-free number 80088088.

Collect the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for hidden disabilities. Emirates staff with Sunflower pins are easily identifiable and specially trained to assist travellers with hidden disabilities. Passengers are encouraged to declare their hidden disability to these staff and collect a Sunflower Lanyard to wear or bring their own from home, allowing for support throughout the airport journey. The sunflower lanyard can be collected from the information desk in Departures, Terminal 3 and from dedicated, easily identifiable collection points in Terminals 1 and 2.

Autism Friendly Route

The Autism Friendly Route through Dubai International Airport (DXB) ensures that People of Determination (POD) can access the airport with a dedicated route. It includes access to priority lanes for check-in, passport control, security and boarding; and can be availed when wearing the sunflower lanyard. Specially trained staff equipped to support POD travellers will be easily identifiable wearing sunflower pins, allowing for increased visibility, communication and support throughout the airport journey.

Priority boarding or board last if preferred

People who have declared their hidden disabilities to Emirates staff will be facilitated in boarding the aircraft first if they choose, or last if this is more convenient.

Families with children are seated together

Emirates makes every effort to seat families with children together, and passengers who have declared their hidden disability will be seated beside their companion or guardian.

Noise cancelling earphones

Passengers with an aural sensory need in First and Business Class will have access to noise‑cancelling headphones to block out ambient cabin sounds. Travellers can also bring their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones if preferred.

Light Sensitivity

Suppose the customer, child or family member informs the Emirates cabin crew about light sensitivity. In that case, the cabin crew can turn off the passenger’s light, close the window blind after take-off, and explain that the cabin lights will be dimmed as soon as the meal services are completed.

Emirates continues to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including Dubai Airports, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Autism Centre and Dubai Economy and Tourism to improve the travel experience for passengers with hidden disabilities and is committed to working to help create a world where neurodivergent individuals feel accepted, represented, included, empowered, and heard. World Autism Awareness Day takes place annually on 2 April.

www.emirates.com

(Your Stories: Emirates)