United Airlines has become the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), operating a daily service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Dubai International Airport (DXB). Launched in March 2023, United’s new route marks the airline’s second attempt at serving the Middle Eastern city, having previously operated a similar route between Washington D.C. and Dubai from 2008 to 2016.
This route comes in the midst of a broader competition involving U.S. legacy carriers like American Airlines and Delta, which have opted not to resume services to Dubai despite once serving the route. So why is United the only U.S. airline flying to the UAE, and why did American and Delta pull back?
Political and Commercial Tensions
The absence of American Airlines and Delta on UAE routes can be traced back to a series of political and commercial factors. The ongoing feud between U.S. carriers and Gulf airlines — particularly Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways — has its roots in allegations of government subsidies that Gulf carriers were accused of receiving. These subsidies, U.S. carriers claimed, allowed Gulf airlines to undercut their pricing and dominate the U.S.-Middle East market.
In 2015, Delta, United, and American joined forces to accuse the Gulf carriers of unfair competition, arguing that government subsidies had allowed them to offer too many flights at artificially low prices. This ultimately led to the suspension of U.S. flights by Delta and United to Dubai. At the time, Gulf carriers were responsible for over 90% of the seat capacity between the U.S. and the UAE.
While American Airlines has never served the UAE, Delta discontinued its Dubai route in 2016 due to low demand and competition from Gulf carriers. In response, U.S. government officials negotiated agreements with Qatar and the UAE in 2018, pushing for transparency and an end to subsidy-based practices.
United’s New Path to Dubai
United Airlines, however, is charting a different course. Since launching its year-round, daily flight between Newark and Dubai in March 2023, United has found success, marking over 180,000 passengers served in its first year. The airline is also making use of its partnership with Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, providing passengers with seamless connections from Dubai to 40 countries worldwide.
United’s new Dubai route highlights its unique position as the only U.S. airline with nonstop service to the UAE, a status that has significantly boosted its transatlantic traffic and cargo operations. According to Thorsten Lettnin, United’s Director of Sales for Continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Israel, the Dubai service offers more travel choices for customers in both the U.S. and the UAE, and enhances connectivity to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia via Emirates and flydubai.
A Strong Partnership with Emirates
United’s operations in Dubai are strengthened by its partnership with Emirates. Nearly one-third of United’s passengers flying from the U.S. to Dubai connect onwards with Emirates and its regional partner flydubai. Similarly, many Emirates passengers traveling to the U.S. benefit from connecting flights on United’s extensive network. This collaboration provides a broader range of options for travelers on both sides of the Atlantic, facilitating easy connections to over 80 destinations across the Americas for travelers arriving at Newark.
In addition to practical travel benefits, the partnership allows customers to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles across both airlines’ networks. United MileagePlus members can use their miles on Emirates flights, and vice versa, increasing the attractiveness of United’s service to Dubai for frequent flyers.
Looking Ahead
United’s successful expansion into the UAE market marks an important milestone for the airline and its partnership with Emirates. While U.S. legacy carriers like American and Delta may be absent from Dubai, United’s ongoing success in this space highlights the airline’s ability to navigate the competitive dynamics of the Middle Eastern aviation market.
With its continued growth in Dubai and the broader Middle Eastern market, United Airlines stands as a key player in global aviation, strengthening ties between the U.S. and the UAE and offering more connectivity for travelers around the world.
