Emirates and Air Canada have announced a commitment to expand and extend their strategic partnership, building on the success of a three-year-old agreement between two of the world’s leading airlines.
Follow Aeronews on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bluesky and TikTok
Since launching their strategic partnership in 2022, the airlines have already served more than 550,000 customers, connecting travellers across 56 codeshare routes linking Canada, the U.S., Dubai and key destinations around the globe. The carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until December 31st 2032. The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways within Canada in the codeshare network.
The enhanced partnership between Emirates and Air Canada is poised to significantly strengthen tourism and trade between both countries. The collaboration will increase passenger choice and enable expanded cargo cooperation that will facilitate bi-directional cargo flow between the Americas, the Middle East, and Indian subcontinent. Both airlines are also exploring a potential joint venture focused on cargo operations to support the efficient movement of commodities globally.
The extended agreement will enhance the customer experience through improved priority benefits for eligible passengers and operational coordination between both airlines, including ensuring a seamless move of operations to Dubai World Central – Maktoum International Airport (DWC) (expected after 2032). Since its inception, the partnership has grown consistently, with the codeshare network expanding to 56 routes that connect Emirates customers to 37 destinations throughout Canada and the U.S., including several new routes that were added this summer: Air Canada-operated services from Toronto to Minneapolis, Montréal to Calgary, and Vancouver to Los Angeles.
Air Canada also places its code on 19 routes operated by Emirates to the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Southeast Asia. In addition to flights under the codeshare agreement, Emirates and Air Canada’s interline partnership also provides customers with access to over 225 destinations worldwide.
Since the initial agreement in November 2022, Air Canada relocated its Dubai operation to Dubai International’s flagship Terminal 3. The co-location of operations in one of the world’s premier terminals has significantly enhanced the connection experience and provides eligible Air Canada customers access to Emirates’ signature Business Class Lounges and other hub facilities in Dubai prior to their flight. The two airlines also offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty program benefits.
Aeroplan Members can benefit from earning and redeeming points on all flights operated by Emirates — with access to more than 140 destinations across six continents — via the airline’s home and hub, Dubai. Emirates Skywards members can earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by Air Canada, accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide. The carriers also have plans to reciprocally expand redemptions to each other’s Premium Economy cabins, unlocking the ability for eligible Skywards and Aeroplan members to earn and redeem in all cabins operated by Air Canada and Emirates, respectively.
Air Canada currently operates daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner service between Toronto and Dubai. From Dubai, Emirates offers daily services to Toronto onboard its popular flagship A380 aircraft. The world’s largest international airline also operates 7 weekly flights between Dubai and Montréal, utilising Boeing 777s.