Air Canada moved its operations to Dubai International’s (DXB) flagship Terminal 3 on July 26th, marking another customer service milestone in the Canadian carrier’s strategic partnership with Emirates.

Customers transiting in Dubai between the Americas on Air Canada and the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Africa on Emirates now have a seamless, expedited experience thanks to the convenience of remaining in the same terminal.

The first inbound Air Canada flight landed at Terminal 3 on July 26th, and the first outbound flight departed from Dubai to Toronto on July 27th. Dedicated Air Canada check-in and bag drop counters for Signature Class are available in the First and Business Class Dropoff. Premium Economy and Economy are located in the main entrance. Air Canada Signature Class customers and eligible Aeroplan Elite members (Aeroplan 50K and above) also have access to the Emirates Business Class lounge located in Terminal 3.

Since November 2022, the carriers have expanded their codeshare relationship to 42 routes, enhanced their underlying interline agreement, developed a reciprocal loyalty partnership for customers to earn and redeem points, enhanced co-operation between their Cargo businesses and have increased capacity into their respective hubs. Air Canada has also developed a partnership with Emirates’ sister-airline, flydubai.

Emirates began its daily Boeing 777 service between Montreal and Dubai in July, which complements its expanded daily Airbus A380 schedule between Toronto and Dubai. Air Canada will be commencing its new non-stop four times weekly flights between Dubai and Vancouver on October 30, 2023 with its flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, which will complement its daily service between Toronto and Dubai.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ chief commercial officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Air Canada to Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai, which marks another step forward in our strategic partnership to deliver even more value to travelers. Co-locating at T3 means Air Canada customers can enjoy a smooth connection experience when transiting in Dubai onto Emirates’ global network, and those eligible can enjoy access to Emirates’ signature Business Class Lounges and other hub facilities in Dubai prior to their flight. Working closely with Air Canada, we hope to further enhance travel experiences and offer even more convenient connectivity for travelers.”

“Air Canada’s new home at Dubai International Terminal 3 is an important milestone which underscores the significance of our strategic partnership with Emirates and the importance of our flights between the UAE and Canada. We extend our sincere appreciation to both Emirates and Dubai Airports for their partnership in facilitating this move, which will greatly benefit our mutual customers,” said Mark Galardo, executive vice- president of Network & Revenue Planning at Air Canada. “In addition to Air Canada’s customers benefiting from seamless onward connections to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent with our codeshare and frequent flyer partner Emirates, they will also enjoy an elevated experience throughout their airport journey.”

Welcoming Air Canada to Terminal 3, Majed Al Joker, chief operating officer of Dubai Airports, said, “In addition to a long history of partnership, Dubai Airports and Air Canada share a common goal of consistently delivering exceptional service and exceeding guest satisfaction. This relocation will streamline operations for Air Canada, enable us to optimize our airport’s efficiency and improve the overall travel experience. Terminal 3 is a world-class facility designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers, with biometric touchpoints, spacious and comfortable waiting areas, and a wide variety of dining and shopping outlets.”