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Emirates and Qantas partner flights depart Sydney, Melbourne and London
Emirates and Qantas have marked the official start of their historic partnership, with the first Qantas flights departing from Sydney and Melbourne to London via the international hub of Dubai.
(left to right) Alan Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Qantas; Anthony Albanese, Australia's Minister for Infrastructure & Transport, Minister for Regional Development & Local Government and Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline following the arrival of Qantas inaugural flights from London Heathrow to Melbourne and Sydney via the airlines new international hub of Dubai
The partnership marks a new era for Qantas and Emirates, and for global aviation, as the two carriers collaborate to deliver the best network, lounges, frequent flyer benefits and travel experiences.
"The strength of this partnership stems from the fact the Emirates and Qantas brands are an excellent match. Emirates customers using a Qantas lounge or taking a Qantas flight will experience a level of service that is on par with what they expect from Emirates," said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.
"Our two airlines offer the largest joint fleet of Airbus A380s and passengers will be welcomed through Concourse A, the world's first, purpose built A380 concourse, at Dubai International Airport, which is the geographical centrepiece of the partnership," added Mr Clark.
"A major benefit is the range of products we are offering frequent flyers. Customers of either airline can leverage many of their privileges when they fly on the joint network, including earning points, redeeming flights and accessing lounges," concluded Mr Clark.
Combined the two airlines will offer 98 flights a week between Australia and Dubai.
Customers have already responded very strongly to the partnership, with over 212,086 sectors booked so far on the joint network. Qantas has seen a sixfold increase in bookings to Europe on the joint network in the first nine weeks of sales compared to the same period last year.
Emirates operates flights on a daily schedule from Malta to Dubai via Larnaka, Cyprus.
