If UA can get the IAD-DXB route i am sure they will just fill up based on the traffic to the indian subcontinent. The main reason, almost all mid cities have connections from Dubai unlike from Europe. THere is a huge population arround IAD that has to either IAD -NYC-DXB- IND or IAD- EUROPE-DUBAI-IND. If you remove europe out of the equation you can be competitive on the fare by about 200-300 dollars just avoiding the fees. THat said i prefer DXB because i can meet up with my friends on a break journey!

THat said status miles or not for the same fare i will not move from Qatar or EK to us based carrier for a 20 hr flight. Forget UA being competitive to EK in premium seats they are not even competitive in the Economy (including the E+). BTw i have atleast gotten Buss. (but not F) upgrades every time i fly EK on one leg or the other. So they do have free premium seats (only other airline that equally matches free upgrades (w/ horrible service) is BA ... atleast to india).