Fifth Freedom Flights: What They Are and the Ones to Book

Fifth freedom flights is a term that sounds patriotic and grand, but it actually refers to a little-known flying loophole that can benefit travelers (and airlines). The fifth freedom of the air is one of nine different freedoms that govern international air travel. Have you ever wanted to fly a very specific airline but not be tied to visiting the country the airline operates from? Perhaps you want to find a lower price on a specific route? This is where fifth freedom flights come in, and I’ll explain what they are, which ones to take, and how these flights can help you have a better and more affordable travel experience.

What is a fifth freedom flight? 

A fifth freedom flight is a flight between two countries, neither of which is the air carrier’s home base. For example, some of the most popular fifth freedom flights are operated by Emirates. Since the airline has such a coveted in-flight product, flying Emirates between two countries outside of its home base in the UAE can offer a more comfortable or luxurious travel experience. 

Beyond this, having additional flights between certain destinations increases competition, which may mean lower fares for travelers. It’s also more efficient for airlines that can fill up their planes, which leads to more revenue and full planes for them — and more flight opportunities at better prices for consumers.

For example, Emirates offers a fifth freedom route between New York (JFK) and Milan (MXP) and a flight from Milan (MXP) to Dubai (DXB). Both of these routes are busy and economically viable, so it increases the airline’s ability to fill seats. However, it also means consumers flying to Milan have options beyond just American and Delta, especially those who want a more glamorous flying experience. 

After all, American and Delta don’t have showers in first class, but the Emirates A380, which operates this route, does. On the other end, this added flight option may push down prices thanks to increased competition, which means budget travelers might be able to find a deal in economy class on any of the airlines. 

Fifth freedom flights can also make sense for an airline operating a flight to a few destinations on a continent that may not warrant an additional nonstop flight from the home country. For example, KLM operates flights from Amsterdam to Singapore (SIN) and then, using the same 777 aircraft, flies to Bali (DPS). 

Instead of operating a flight from Amsterdam to Bali and another from Amsterdam to Singapore, the airline maximizes its 777 by sending one plane to Asia and using it to service two destinations. Customers can fly a fancier 777 KLM aircraft on a short-haul flight between SIN and DPS, earn and burn award miles, or opt for an affordable low-cost carrier like AirAsia or Jetstar. 

What makes fifth freedom flights so interesting? (Hint: it involves award flights)

Besides the aforementioned possibility of showering mid-air when flying between the U.S. and Europe, fifth freedom flights make the world smaller and more accessible. The more options a consumer has to fly between two places without limitations from a national airline’s home bases, the better. 

This drives down prices for consumers and ensures that airlines fill up their planes, which is efficient from a monetary perspective as well as a sustainability one. It also allows travelers to fly on airlines they might not otherwise have an opportunity to fly on. 

However, the best part of the fifth freedom flight may be for consumers motivated by points and miles. Oftentimes, carriers, in hopes of filling up seats on these routes, open up more award space.  This increases the possibility of finding award flights (and at a better price). This rings especially true for the shorter-haul sectors that may have less demand.

Fifth freedom flights to/from the U.S.

Although there are hundreds of fifth freedom flights, these are some of the options from the U.S. 

• Aer Lingus: Manchester (MAN) Orlando (MCO) 
• Aer Lingus: Manchester (MAN) New York (JFK)
• Azul: Curacao (CUR) Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Caribbean Airlines: Georgetown (GEO) New York (JFK)
• Emirates: Athens (ATH) Newark (EWR)
• Emirates: Milan (MXP) New York (JFK)
• Emirates: Bogota (BOG) Miami (MIA)
• Ethiopian Airlines: Abidjan (ABJ) New York (JFK)
• LATAM Airlines: Punta Cana (PUJ) Miami (MIA)
• Le Compagnie: Newark (EWR) to Milan (MXP)
• Qantas: Auckland (AKL) New York (JFK)
• Singapore Airlines: Tokyo (NRT) Los Angeles (LAX)
• Singapore Airlines: Frankfurt (FRA) New York (JFK)
• Singapore Airlines: Manchester (MAN) Houston (IAH) (This route ends in April 2025)
• Surinam Airways: Georgetown (GEO) Miami (MIA)
• Surinam Airways: Curaçao (CUR) Miami (MIA)

Top fifth freedom flights outside of the U.S.

Some fifth freedom flights don’t depart or land in the U.S. Many aren’t especially notable, but some are, as they’re on airlines where you might have additional opportunities to get a well-priced award ticket or fly on a better aircraft — or even get a funky gift or amenity.

• Air Canada London (LHR) to Delhi (DEL): Air Canada is a valid alternative to Air India’s often-dated product or British Airways’ pricier tickets.
• Emirates Barcelona (BCN) to Mexico City (MEX): This flight fills a void, as it’s the only nonstop flight between the two cities and much more pleasant than having to change planes in Madrid and fly Iberia. 
• EVA Air Bangkok (BKK) to Vienna (VIE): EVA gives a bit of competition to Austrian Airlines, the only other carrier to operate the route. Unfortunately, the route doesn’t fly on the Hello Kitty Jet, so you’ll have to opt for the Chicago (ORD)-Tapei (TPE) route if you want the Eva Air Sanrio flight experience.
• Turkish Airlines Sao Paulo (GRU) to Buenos Aires (EZE): It’s exciting to fly a Turkish A350, especially the stylish and comfortable lie-flat seats in business class, on a short-haul, three-hour flight.
• KLM Singapore (SIN) to Bali (DPS): This flight is just under three hours long and operated by a 777. It often has plenty of business class award availability. Rumor has it, that you’ll even get a Delft Blue Miniature House when flying in business on this route.

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The best fifth freedom flights to book from the US

Some fifth freedom flights offer more value than others. Here are some of the best.

Emirates: Athens (ATH) Newark (EWR)

The Emirates route between Newark (EWR) and Athens (ATH) is a solid-value option. As you can see from a random search on Google Flights, this route, which operates on an Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft, is also operated by Delta and American. 

If you’re on a budget, the 11-hour flight is actually the most affordable economy class option on many dates ($581 vs. $693+ in March 2025) as well as business class ($2,969 vs. $3,365+ in July 2025). Award flights start at 17,500 miles in economy and 85,000 miles in business.

If you want to fly to Greece in style, Emirates is the only airline that offers a first-class option. Sure, it’s about $12,000 one-way, but remember that Amex Membership Reward, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou points transfer to Emirates. So you might be able to get this award flight for as little as 102,000 Skyward miles each way. 

Plus, starting in 2025, the newest, retrofitted version of the Emirates 777 will operate this route, meaning it will have a premium economy cabin and enclosed first-class cabins, as well as a 1-2-1 business class seating structure. The only downside? There aren’t any showers on the Emirates 777, but you wouldn’t get those on the American or Delta flight anyway, so it’s not so bad.

Emirates: Milan (MXP) and New York (JFK)

We already mentioned that the route between New York (JFK) and Milan (MXP) on Emirates is hands down the coolest way to get to Italy from the U.S. While it may not be the cheapest way to get there when paying cash (low-cost carrier Norse flies this route, along with carriers like United and Delta), you can still get tickets in economy class for less than $700 and as low as $2,860 in business class (mileage amounts are the same as the EWR-ATH route). 

But the most iconic part of this route is being able to use Emirates Skyward miles to fly between the two cities in first class and that coveted in-flight shower, as well as a gaudy lie-flat seat, access to the bar, and plenty of Champagne and caviar. 

This flight can cost nearly $18,000 one way on peak dates but as low as 102,000 Skyward miles, ensuring you’ll still have enough cash to spend on tutta la pizza e pasta when you get to Italy. Tip: If you’re interested in calculating how many miles you’ll need to fly Emirates fifth freedom and other routes, use the Emirates mileage calculator. 

Singapore Airlines: Frankfurt (FRA) New York (JFK)

If you’re ready for luxury, Singapore Airlines gives Lufthansa some solid competition on this route between Frankfurt (FRA) and New York (JFK). If you’re paying cash, Singapore often charges just half the price of a first-class ticket. Sometimes business class costs less than $2,000 and economy class as little as $350.

Still, $8,000 is pricey for a one-way plane ticket (even in first class), so using points is an excellent plan. While you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points or Capital One miles to Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer program, I’d suggest using Air Canada Aeroplan instead. You’ll need just 90,000 Aeroplan miles in first class, 60,000 for business class, and 35,000 for economy. 

Otherwise, you’d have to fork over a minimum of 97,000 Krisflyer miles if you can find a coveted saver award for first class. Alternatively, you can book business class for 81,000 miles or economy class for 25,000 miles. 

The flight between JFK and FRA is under 4,000 miles, so partner awards are affordable.

The flight is operated by a 777 aircraft. While the cabin may not feel as glamorous as Emirates’ or as modern as Lufthansa’s, Singapore’s service is impeccable, and the little details, like how the cabin is decorated for the holidays, make all the difference. 

Although the airline stopped using its A380 aircraft for this route back in 2023, we still have hope that Singapore may fly the aircraft in the future on this route, complete with its new first-class suites. Fingers crossed.

Summary

Fifth freedom flights are an interesting loophole that opens up options for flyers to travel at better prices, use their stash of points and miles, and fly coveted aircraft or better airlines. While a fifth freedom flight may not always make sense, make sure to always compare options to see if one of these routes may work for you.