Air Canada and Emirates expand global network

Air Canada and Emirates today (Nov. 1) announced the launch of their codeshare cooperation. 

The airlines say the new partnership will allow customers of the carriers to enjoy seamless connectivity to 46 markets spanning three continents, including destinations across the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. 

Beginning today (Nov. 1), codeshare tickets will be available for sale to 35 markets for travel effective December 1 with 11 additional markets to be added pending final regulatory approval, and the potential for more markets to be included beyond that.

Tickets are available via the carriers' websites at aircanada.com and emirates.com as well as via major GDS systems and travel agencies. 

A “promising new partnership”

Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada says the promising new partnership with Emirates will allow Air Canada to meaningfully broaden the choice of flight options for its customers. 

“It will create easier connections between Canada and destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. As well, it will allow us to draw more connecting traffic through our Toronto global hub and expand our presence in these dynamic regions where demand for global travel is expected to grow," said Rousseau. 

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: "We are delighted to establish a partnership with Air Canada, to expand our reach into more points in North America." 

Clark adds that partnering with Canada's flag carrier enables Emirates to offer customers seamless connectivity when flying to domestic points within Canada via Toronto. 

Clark also shares that besides the added-value benefits and rewarding experiences that leisure and business travellers of both airlines can look forward to, the partnership allows Air Canada's customers to travel to destinations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, “thanks to our expansive network via our hub in Dubai." 

Emirates customers will be able to book codeshare flights to and from Canadian points beyond Toronto, including Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. 

From Dubai

Air Canada will place its code on routes operated by Emirates from its hub in Dubai, expanding the airline's reach across the Indian subcontinent and unlocking more destinations, including Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore.

Air Canada says seamless connectivity will also be enjoyed by customers travelling to Southeast Asian destinations including Bangkok, Hanoi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; the Middle Eastern cities Jeddah and Muscat; as well as destinations in Africa, namely Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam. 

Coming soon 

The airline partners will introduce a reciprocal frequent flyer offering, allowing members of Aeroplan and Skywards to earn and redeem points on flights operated by Emirates and Air Canada, respectively. 

Eligible passengers will also soon be able to take advantage of reciprocal lounge access, along with select benefits for Aeroplan Elite and Skywards members when travelling on the partner airline. 

Further details and launch dates will be announced at a later date.

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