Originally Posted by DYKWIA (Post 18243322)

The majority of people I speak to in the US are well aware of Emirates. EK seem to have a great reputation - it's just that most Americans don't really consider Dubai or the Middle East as a tourist destination.

Routes to the far east are hard to justify as it's a heck of a long way round.

So, people would like to fly EK, but there is nowhere they'd like to go :)

The Indian people I've worked with over there all try and use EK where possible when travelling home.

Originally Posted by hyho61 (Post 18257402)

For those in the West Coast of USA or for those who travel to West Coast USA frequently, Alaska is a good option to earn miles. You also earn EQMs with Alaska.

May be EK should try to hook up with JetBlue, just like they did with Alaska. That would cause an exodus of frequent flyers to both EK and may to JetBlue. However the problem is JetBlue is also part owned by LH ??, and this could be deal killer. LH is intent on limiting EK whereever it can.

Originally Posted by hyho61 (Post 18257402)

For those in the West Coast of USA or for those who travel to West Coast USA frequently, Alaska is a good option to earn miles. You also earn EQMs with Alaska.

May be EK should try to hook up with JetBlue, just like they did with Alaska. That would cause an exodus of frequent flyers to both EK and may to JetBlue. However the problem is JetBlue is also part owned by LH ??, and this could be deal killer. LH is intent on limiting EK whereever it can.

Originally Posted by PHLyer82 (Post 18256578)

Now if Emirates flew out of PHL maybe I would look more into Skywards.

Originally Posted by blackmamba (Post 18257445)

Excellent point but does LH have extensive control over Jetblue's operations? As much as LH wants to limit EK, it probably only wants to limit it within Europe and not the United States.

Originally Posted by razMJ (Post 18258159)

Although LH and BA may taste the competition of EK more with their expansion in Europe, don't they both also fear that with EK's expansion in America, a lot of Indian expats will and already are choosing a Gulf connection instead of FRA/MUC/LHR connection. Therefore, if they already aren't, they should be concerned.