Emirates weighs Denver, Detroit and Philadelphia flights

Emirates is studying new service to Denver International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, and has no plans to slow its Dubai expansion, the airline’s president told The Points Guy at the Routes World conference this week.

Tim Clark said the list of possible U.S. markets “goes on and on,” adding: “There aren’t many cities in the world that we will not be able to touch if we want to get there.”

Emirates added its most recent U.S. destination in 2021, starting Miami International Airport flights that replaced service to nearby Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Its last entirely new U.S. city was Newark Liberty International Airport in 2017, according to Cirium schedules cited by The Points Guy.

Once Emirates receives its new efficient planes, it should be able to serve more U.S. cities profitably. The carrier has on order more than 300 aircraft, including Airbus A350s, Boeing 787s and the long-delayed Boeing 777X. Some of the newest 777-9 orders can be converted to the smaller 777-8 or a possible larger 777-10 variant. Clark said the first 777-9s, seating 300 to 400 passengers, should arrive in 2027, though they had originally been expected in 2020. He declined to discuss cabin details, except to call them “stylish, luxurious and cool.”

Clark said demand is still strong even with the wars that involve Iran and the Houthis in Yemen. “The demand in the multiple segments that we have been in traditionally is still strong for us,” he said. Flights to Bangkok remain full, he noted, as an example of the strong demand. He added that Emirates is still profitable despite high jet fuel costs. IATA data cited by The Points Guy showed kerosene averaged $4.58 a gallon in the week through Oct. 16.

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates is the leading airline and has gained from some Western carriers' suspended flights. Travelers from Europe and North America use its routes to reach India, Southeast Asia and Africa.

In 2023 Emirates and United Airlines began a codeshare and linked their Skywards and MileagePlus loyalty programs. United Airlines added flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai International Airport under that agreement, then halted them in February following the American and Israeli attacks on Iran. The Points Guy observed that, although Clark omitted United when discussing possible U.S. expansion, Denver is United's sole hub without Emirates service.