Emirates Skywards has taken a major step to strengthen its loyalty program by forming a strategic travel partnership with UK leisure airline Jet2.com. The collaboration opens a new chapter for UK-based members and global travelers eager to redeem Miles for popular holiday destinations across Europe and beyond. It also reinforces the United Kingdom as a leading outbound tourism market, where demand for flexible reward-based travel continues to rise.
A Major Boost for UK and European Leisure Travel
Jet2.com serves more than 75 destinations, including beach, culture, and adventure hotspots across the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, mainland Europe, and North Africa. The airline is also preparing to expand its UK presence by adding London Gatwick to its operations in March 2026. This expansion creates more redemption access points for Emirates Skywards members looking for efficient leisure travel options.
The United Kingdom remains one of the largest outbound travel markets in the world. Millions of residents book international holidays each year, with European sun destinations consistently leading demand. The addition of Jet2.com to the Emirates Skywards portfolio directly connects reward travel to this high-demand leisure segment.
More Choice and Better Flexibility for Members
Skywards members can now redeem Miles for Jet2.com flights starting from as little as 8,000 Miles, depending on route and fare type. The program aims to keep the process simple and transparent, giving travelers a clear sense of how far their Miles can go. Members traveling with Emirates and flydubai earn Miles based on fare category, route, and tier status, which can later be applied toward Jet2.com redemptions.
This model supports weekend breaks, family holidays, skiing trips, golf escapes, and extended stays. Travelers can fly long-haul with Emirates and then redeem the Miles earned for short-haul leisure flights on Jet2.com, combining two different travel styles in one loyalty ecosystem.
How the Travel Cycle Works in Practice
The updated redemption framework offers practical value. A traveler flying Premium Economy Flex Plus from London to Sydney via Dubai could earn approximately 18,000 Miles. Those Miles would be enough for a Jet2.com roundtrip to Mediterranean holiday favourites such as Majorca. Another traveler booking a roundtrip Business Class flight from Manchester to Dubai could earn around 21,000 Miles, which may be redeemed for a Jet2.com roundtrip ski flight to Salzburg.
This redeem-as-you-go cycle appeals to UK holidaymakers who travel long-haul once or twice per year but embark on several short European breaks as well.
Strengthening the Emirates Loyalty Ecosystem
The United Kingdom is already the largest market for Emirates Skywards, with roughly four million members. The loyalty program now exceeds 37 million members globally and continues to expand its airline, hospitality, retail, and lifestyle partnerships.
Skywards already offers earning and redemption opportunities with more than 20 airlines, including carriers across Europe, North America, and Australasia. Members may also use Miles for cabin upgrades, hotel nights, shopping, and curated experiences. The addition of Jet2.com further strengthens the leisure side of the portfolio and adds competitive value for the UK travel market.
Award-Winning Loyalty Platform
The Emirates loyalty platform has received multiple industry recognitions for its tiered membership system and redemption breadth. The program includes four tiers—Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—each offering elevated benefits such as additional baggage, lounge access, and upgrade privileges. These tiers encourage frequent long-haul travel while rewarding members who accumulate Miles through both flights and partner transactions.
Growing Demand for Reward-Based Tourism
Reward travel remains one of the fastest-growing components of tourism spending. Travelers in the UK and Europe demonstrate a strong appetite for loyalty benefits, particularly those that reduce costs during peak holiday seasons. Many families plan travel around school holidays when fares are highest, making reward-based redemptions extremely valuable.
This partnership supports those trends by extending reward access to destinations well known for summer sun, winter sports, and seasonal festivals. Locations like Tenerife, Faro, Salzburg, Rhodes, and Madeira continue to attract millions of visitors annually.
A Positive Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
The extended partnership signals optimism for future tourism flows between the UK, Europe, and key global hubs. Emirates’ global network connects the UK to over one hundred cities across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. Jet2.com complements that connectivity by covering the leisure segment of short-haul European travel. Together, they form a more complete travel ecosystem that appeals to a broad demographic—from solo travelers to large families and retirees.
As outbound tourism continues to rebound, the travel industry expects loyalty programs to become even more central to consumer decision-making. This collaboration positions both brands strongly for that shift and signals confidence in the appetite for international leisure travel.
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