Emirates deal allows Dubai arrivals to get Uber and out

Emirates and ride-sharing giant Uber have struck a deal to allow select passengers on flexible economy fares to have discounted rides waiting for them when they fly into Dubai International Airport. The deal between the ride-sharing giant and the Dubai-based carrier applies to Emirates Economy Flex or Economy Flex Plus passengers arriving in Dubai from five countries for the next three months. It applies to passengers flying in from Australia, Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa to Dubai between September 26 and December 10. Economy Flex Plus travelers will get one free ride from Dubai airport (DXB) to anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 120 ($A45), while Economy Flex passengers will get 50 percent off one ride from the airport to anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 60 ($A22.50). View our ratings for Emirates The offer is available to new and existing Uber customers and eligible passengers can secure their Uber ride from the airport when they book their ticket. Uber chief international business officer Brooks Entwistle said it would give passengers from the five countries a seamless fly-and-ride experience at the push of a button. "Emirates and Uber share a truly global footprint, serving millions of customers in hundreds of cities around the world,'' Entwistle said. Emirates chief commercial officer Thierry Antinori said Emirates continued to look at evolving customer trends and the new service would provide passengers arriving with a seamless travel experience and smooth arrival in Dubai. Emirates serves 161 destinations in 86 countries and territories with a fleet of 271 modern aircraft. It operates the world’s largest fleets of Airbus A380s, of which it owns more than 100, and Boeing 777s. There has been continuing speculation that the Dubai-based juggernaut may merge with its smaller, financially-troubled neighbor in Abu Dhabi, Etihad. However, both airlines have denied this is the case.