Yesterday, United Airlines and Emirates announced new partnerships at an event held at the Washington-Dulles International Airport. This announcement is a significant shift, as tensions between the United States and Gulf carriers were high just five years ago.

Click here to read more about yesterday's announcement between Emirates and United.

Previous Tensions

Five years ago, Scott Kirby (then President of United Airlines) publicly stated that he expected the United States government to take action against Gulf Carriers for receiving government funding. At the time, American carriers were upset that three major Gulf carriers were flooding the market with low fares. At the Boyd Group's International Aviation Forecast Summit in 2017, Kirby said

"Our political system in the United States is messy and often frustrating, but the great thing about this country is, at the end of the day, we do the right thing. This is so clearly the right thing. I don't know when or exactly how it will happen, but I believe that we will get to a world where we get fair competition."

The 'big three' United States carriers, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, alleged that Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates had received more than $50 billion in government subsidies since 2004.

The Gulf carriers denied the allegations and said that the assistance received from their governments is similar to the aid that American and European carriers receive from their governments. The accusations from the American carriers did not sit well with Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, who called the allegations "surprising and frankly, repugnant."

United and Emirates Crew with Scott Kirby and Tim Clark and a Emirates Boeing 777-300ER in the background
A few years ago, a picture like this would have never been taken due to the tensions between American and Gulf carriers. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Then CEO of United, Oscar Munoz, criticized the gulf carriers saying,

"Those [Gulf] airlines aren't airlines. They're just branding vehicles for their countries.",

Munoz's comments did not sit well with Emirates, who took the opportunity to mock United and Emirates just a few weeks after his remarks were made. In April 2017, United dragged a passenger off a flight from Chicago to Louisville for refusing to give up his seat once onboard the aircraft.

Munoz blamed the passenger for the incident, and Emirates posted a video mocking Munoz and United. The video showboated the numerous Emirates accolades at the time and ended by criticizing United's tagline about flying the friendly skies.

Emirates United Backlash
This was the phrase displayed at the end of Emirates' video, clearly criticizing United. Photo: Emirates

The video also had a slate that read, "Well, Mr. Munoz, according to Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site, not only are we a real airline, we are the best airline."

Burying the hatchet

Years have passed since the "feud" between the United States and the Gulf carriers. In 2020, American Airlines announced a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways, and since then, both airlines have enhanced the partnership. American also launched a flight to Doha in June of this year from its hub at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

United and Emirates Crew onstage with Scott Kirby and Tim Clark
Spirits were joyful at the event, with staff from both airlines thrilled at the new relationship between the two. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Yesterday's announcement by United and Emirates is very significant, though limited. The current codeshare deal will only cover Emirates' flights to Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco and United's flight from Newark to Dubai, which will launch in March next year. The fact that any partnership was announced between the two airlines is a major deal, considering the tensions that existed just a few years ago. At the event, Sir Tim Clark said,

"Can you imagine this? There was a time - and we all know this - that it was difficult."

The new airline partnership will give Emirates customers greater access to the United States via United's 200+ destinations. United customers will also receive expanded access to Emirates' network in Africa and India.

Scott Kirby speaking to a hangar full of people present for the event
Yesterday's event was hosted at the United hangar at Washington-Dulles International Airport. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

At the event, Scott Kirby noted that United Airlines is now the #1 US airline flying across the Atlantic,

"I'm now proud to say that after decades of being third, fourth, or fifth place across the Atlantic, United Airlines is now the number one airline flying across the Atlantic. A position, by the way, that will never change, because we've got more growth ahead and partnerships like this, enable that kind of growth for us at United."

He also went on to praise Sir Tim Clark and the Emirates brand,

" It's remarkable what Sir Tim and team have accomplished and what they have built. And so putting two great brands together is really what this is all about.

After finishing his remarks, Kirby invited Sir Clark onto the stage to give some remarks. Clark began talking about how both airlines had done a fantastic job of managing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the similarities in the DNAs of the two carriers. He went on to say that no one could have imagined what was taking place as he was speaking on a stage with Scott Kirby, flight crews from both United and Emirates, and two Boeing 777 aircraft as the background for the scene.

"But you know, we kind of look forward, we don't look backwards. We've got the makings of the beginnings, and I call this the acorn, that is planted and from which the mighty oak will grow. But it's not going to take 200 years for the oak to get there. We've got to get this done as quickly as possible. And you know, we've got the minds to do it."

Emirates and United Airlines are "big players" in the regions they serve. United serves more than 200 destinations, and Emirates serves another 200+, along with its sister carrier, FlyDubai.

"So taken together with us, we'll eventually reach over 400 destinations that the two carriers, Emirates and FlyDUbai, can meet with United. And I say this to all of you, this will defy the laws of physics when it comes to moving people across the planet. It has to be one of the most seismic things that is going to happen at this particular time and going forward as well."

Clark finished his remarks by once again highlighting the significance of the partnership considering the rocky past, even throwing it a bit of humor,

"It is just lovely to see the smiling faces of everybody, because seven years ago, you'd be throwing tomatoes at me. And I'm not that bad, actually. But anyway, it's great to see and from what I can gather the enthusiasm of everybody in this room, this hangar, and in both companies, we are already ready to rock and roll on this one."

Moving forward, there will be ample room for expanding a partnership between these two giants on both sides of the world. Not only do both carriers have growing networks, but the codeshare agreement currently applies to just three of Emirates' US destinations. Surely, this will expand to more cities in the future.

Emirates crew onstage with Sir Tim Clark
Sir Tim Clark highlighted how well United and Emirates dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Some also believe that Emirates is positioning itself to join the Star Alliance, having also recently announced a codeshare partnership with Air Canada. Only time will tell what the two airlines decide next.

What do you think about the new agreement between United and Emirates? Do you believe that Emirates will soon be joining Star Alliance? Let us know in the comments below.