Emirates and Air Canada have expanded their existing partnership to offer tangible benefits to members of their loyalty programs. Skywards and Aeroplan members will now be able to earn and redeem points when traveling with either airline.

Last month, Emirates and Air Canada launched a codeshare agreement, providing seamless connections for customers of both airlines through their respective hubs in Dubai and Toronto. At the time, this move opened up 46 destinations across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, including Vancouver, Montreal, Colombo, Dhaka, and Bangkok.

Loyalty program interoperability takes this one step further – Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem miles on Air Canada’s network of 220 destinations worldwide. Air Canada’s Aeroplan members, meanwhile, can now earn and redeem points on Emirates flights to more than 130 destinations across six continents.

Emirates Airbus A380
Photo: Emirates

Emirates flies five times per week between Dubai and Toronto with its Airbus A380. Air Canada also operates five flights per week between the two hubs with its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The Emirates service will increase to daily in spring 2023, but further expansion beyond that is not currently possible due to the bilateral agreements in place.

Divisional senior vice president of Emirates Skywards, Nejib Ben Khedher, celebrated the news, saying,

“We’re very pleased to be enhancing our partnership with Air Canada and officially kicking off our joint loyalty program offering. Together, close to 40 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 350 destinations and enjoy selected benefits, such as lounge access. We look forward to opening new horizons for our loyal members and to also welcoming Aeroplan customers onboard Emirates with our award-winning products and exceptional services.”

Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER
Photo: Air Canada

Lounge access

The expanded partnership between Emirates and Air Canada brings with it reciprocal lounge access for eligible loyalty program members of each airline, even when traveling in economy class. Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite 50k, 75k, and Super Elite members flying on Emirates in the airline's economy class will be eligible for access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

In return, Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members traveling in economy class with either airline will benefit from access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

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Emirates Airbus A380
Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

Award-winning loyalty programs

Skywards was awarded the title of “World’s Leading Airline Rewards Program” at the World Travel Awards 2022. Air Canada’s Aeroplan has received its fair share of accolades too, including Best Earn & Redemption Ability from the 2021 Frequent Traveler Awards.

The increased collaboration between the two loyalty programs will no doubt increase their popularity and success in the future.

Are you a Skywards or Aeroplan member? What do you think of the decision by Emirates and Air Canada to allow members to earn and redeem miles on each other’s loyalty program? Share your thoughts by commenting below.