Emirates announces codeshare partnership with GOL

At the press briefing in Sao Paulo announcing the codeshare partnership, from left: GOL Head of Alliances Ciro Camargo, Emirates Cabin Crew, Emirates Country Manager for Brazil Stephane Perard and Smiles Commercial Director Carlos Mauad

Emirates and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (GOL) have announced a new codeshare and frequent flyer programme partnership.

The codeshare partnership has been filed to ANAC – Brazilian Federal Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil). The first flights will be approved in the coming days and the partnership is expected to come into effect by the end of October/early November timeframe.

The new codeshare partnership will give customers the simplicity of purchasing connecting flights on both airlines using one reservation, and a seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage check experience during the entire journey. Passengers booking flights from multiple destinations in Brazil with GOL, including Porte Alegre, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Brasilia, will be able to connect in Sao Paulo or Rio and fly with Emirates to many destinations worldwide.

“We’re pleased to be enhancing our partnership with GOL and believe our new codeshare will bring enhanced connectivity and a fully integrated loyalty programme within Brazil initially , and at a later stage, throughout South America and the Caribbean,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, West. 

“GOL’s extensive route network in Latin America combined with the choice and convenience of offering customers approximately 800 flights per day, perfectly complements our 14 weekly flights to and from Brazil that connect to our global network.

“We have invested in a partnership that provides ever-increasing benefits to our customers. The expansion of the partnership with Emirates is precisely this, and it will also strengthen our presence in international markets,” said Ciro Camargo, Head of Alliances at GOL.

Redeeming miles for reward travel

As part of the new codeshare partnership, members of Emirates Skywards and GOL’s Smiles loyalty programme will be able to accrue and redeem miles on both airlines. With over 16 million Emirates Skywards members and over 11 million members of GOL’s Smiles loyalty programme, nearly 30 million members worldwide will benefit from this codeshare partnership. Miles accrued will be based on the distance travelled with bonuses for class of service.

“The partnership with Emirates, the largest international airline company in the world, will broaden our seat availability to Asia, among other destinations, and will be an exclusive competitive advantage for Smiles in Brazil,” states Leonel Andrade, Smiles’ CEO. “The improvement in international airline partnerships further strengthens our position as an industry leading programme for travellers.”

Skywards members flying in GOL Premium Economy will earn a mileage bonus of 125% or 150% of actual miles flown depending on the fare.

Smiles members flying on Emirates will earn a mileage bonus of 150% of actual miles flown when flying in First Flex Plus and First Flex and a bonus of 125% in Business Flex and Business Saver.

Greater connection choice across the combined network

With a combined total of 14 flights a week departing from Dubai to Sao Paulo and Rio, the enhanced codeshare agreement gives Emirates passengers easy connections to over 20 destinations on GOL’s extensive route network in Brazil, including Porto Alegre, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Iguassu Falls, Brasilia, and Florianopolis. 

Once the full codeshare partnership comes into effect, then an additional 10 destinations in South America will benefit from enhanced connectivity. Likewise, GOL passengers connecting to an Emirates flight in Sao Paulo or Rio now have a wide range of global travel destinations conveniently available to them in the Middle East, India, Africa, the Far East and beyond via our home and hub in Dubai.

The Emirates experience

All Emirates’ passengers will experience award-winning service and innovation, both on board and on the ground. All passengers will have access to Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system offering more than 2,500 channels of on-demand entertainment at every seat, gourmet regionally inspired dishes, world-class wines, and dedicated children’s entertainment and menus. 

Passengers will also experience Emirates unmatched inflight service from a multilingual Cabin Crew representing over 135 nationalities and more than 60 languages. First Class and Business Class passengers can travel to and from the airport with the convenience of Emirates’ complimentary Chauffeur-drive service in Dubai (DXB) and many other airports across Emirates extensive network.

Discover Dubai

Those travelling to Dubai for a stopover or as their final destination will find a plethora of activities to experience. Known as a city of contrasts, from futuristic architecture to vibrant traditional culture and diversity, Dubai is a place that caters to all types of travellers. The city offers everything a visitor could want, from shopping at some of the largest malls in the region to dining options which will spoil anyone for choice, a trip to Dubai is a must for families, friends and individuals.

Adventurers can enjoy kite surfing in the gulf, skydiving over the Palm Jumeirah Island or head out to the desert for sand surfing and dune buggie rides. Families can enjoy Dubai’s family-friendly hotels and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, home to thousands of sea creatures, or cool down at Dubai’s waterparks, hit the ski slopes at the Mall of the Emirates or splash around at Kite Beach. 

For fashionistas, the souks and malls offer local gems you won’t find anywhere else in the world, such as the Deira Gold Souk, home to hundreds of specialty jewellery stores, or the Mall of Dubai, one of the world’s largest malls featuring more than 1,200 stores and services.

The city also offers visitors several new and exciting experiences, such as the recently-opened IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor themed entertainment destination, and the soon-to-be-opened Dubai Parks and Resorts, which will offer a range of attractions and experiences

All travellers can take in the sights of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, the Dubai Fountain which dances to a set of music for onlookers, and of course, experience desert camel rides and dinner under the stars at a Bedouin style camp. Dubai truly offers a variety of attractions to meet the tastes of business and leisure travellers alike.