Dubai: The Emirates and flydubai partnership continues to set a benchmark in the aviation industry by connecting millions of travelers across a vast global network while offering enhanced loyalty benefits. The collaboration has significantly expanded the reach of both airlines, benefiting Emirates Skywards members through their joint loyalty program.
According to Emirates News Agency, the partnership unlocks a combined network of 245 destinations in 103 countries. Emirates customers can now explore an additional 103 destinations via flydubai, while flydubai passengers gain access to 107 unique Emirates destinations. Popular choices for travelers include Kathmandu, Baku, Krabi, Belgrade, and Zanzibar. The partnership also introduced new destinations such as Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, and Da Nang for Emirates, and Chisnau, Iasi, Vilnius, Riga, and Nairobi for flydubai.
Both airlines reported carrying over 5 million passengers on codeshare flights in the past year, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Since the inception of their collaboration in 2017, more than 22 million customers have traveled across their joint network. The demand for premium cabin bookings also rose, with Emirates seeing a 20% increase in premium cabin seat bookings, and a 130% growth in Premium Economy bookings through the partnership.
The collaboration ensures seamless travel experiences, with streamlined check-in and baggage transfers, optimized schedules, and exclusive Terminal 3 access in Dubai. flydubai Business Class passengers benefit from elevated services at Terminal 2, including personalized Meet and Assist, seated check-in, and Fast Track priority through security.
The Emirates Skywards loyalty program continues to thrive, offering members one loyalty currency and a range of rewards. Nearly 18 million members have earned 311 billion Skywards Miles and redeemed 303 billion Miles. Members enjoy additional benefits such as lounge access, extra baggage allowance, and priority check-in. The program recently introduced Classic Rewards, allowing members to book reward flights with a fixed number of Skywards Miles, starting from as low as 5,000 Miles on flydubai.
Both airlines are committed to enhancing customer experiences through significant investments in their fleets and products. Emirates is undertaking a comprehensive retrofit program on 220 aircraft, while flydubai has retrofitted 15 aircraft as part of its fleet modernization. The airlines operate a combined fleet of 363 modern aircraft, with Emirates utilizing A380s, B777s, and A350s, and flydubai operating B737s.
The partnership supports Dubai's aviation sector's role in achieving the D33 Economic Agenda's goals, aiming for a combined network of 400 destinations from Dubai. Emirates and flydubai are dedicated to reaching this target, further solidifying Dubai's position as a global aviation hub.