I think it depends on how we define emotional cheating. What you describe is horrible and much worse than physical cheating but as a person who has had to deal with those scars, it's the same. I find it easier to overcome the fact that someone emotionally relies on someone else because it means there are two parties to the destruction of that relationship not just the one who is spending time with another. But, that's different from making plans to be with someone without touching/being intimate. I have seen some people identify having a friend you rely on when you can't connect with your significant other as emotional cheating. To me it depends if there are romantic feelings and real romantic feelings or not. It's all layered.

But, physical is just as bad and cuts like a knife.