7 of the coolest European fifth-freedom routes you should know about
Editor's Note
The fifth freedom is one of nine freedoms of the air — a set of rights that grants airlines the ability to operate a flight between two countries other than their own, among other things. An airline usually operates a fifth-freedom flight when it can use the connection to fly to or from its home country. This kind of flight also allows the airline to earn revenue on the part of the route that does not include an airport in its own country.
Nations worldwide negotiate these freedoms, allowing commercial flights to operate fairly.
For AvGeeks and frequent flyers, fifth-freedom flights are particularly interesting because they allow travelers to experience an airline that they might not otherwise be able to access without going to its home base.
There's a complex network of fifth-freedom flights in Europe. Some start in European cities and head to other continents, while others stay within European borders.
Here are some of our favorites.
Related: Fifth-freedom routes: Flying top international airlines without setting foot in their home countries
Milan to New York City on Emirates
Arguably the most fun you can have on an aircraft across the Atlantic, Emirates operates a daily A380 service commencing at its home in Dubai International Airport (DXB). It stops at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) before continuing to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Emirates' A380 offers an onboard bar for first- and business-class passengers as well as indulgent first-class shower suites.
You can book this flight for just 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points and 115 Canadian dollars (around $85) in business class each way or 102,000 Emirates Skywards miles plus 129 euros (about $144) in first class.
Related: A review of Emirates business class on the Airbus A380 from New York to Milan
Barcelona to Mexico City on Emirates
Another neat way to cross the Atlantic on Emirates without traveling to the Middle East is from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX).
The daily flight takes from 11 hours and 20 minutes to 12 hours and 55 minutes. It is operated by a Boeing 777, and the planes do not feature Emirates' new premium economy class (or first class). This means business-class passengers must make do with the older-generation seats, some of which do not have direct aisle access. Emirates is in the process of reconfiguring some of its 777 fleet, but this will take time.
There's also no onboard bar on Emirates' 777s. However, as the only nonstop service between these two cities, it's still a convenient and fun way to fly to Mexico.
Travelers can book economy seats for just 20,000 Emirates Skywards miles plus 76 euros (about $85) each way — a great deal for a flight of this length; business-class seats cost 96,000 Skywards miles plus 129 euros (about $144).
Emirates also operates a Boeing 777 fifth-freedom flight daily from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Frankfurt to New York City on Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines' fifth-freedom route from Frankfurt to New York City is a favorite among AvGeeks who want to experience this legendary airline. While this route was previously operated by the double-decker Airbus A380, it is now operated by a Boeing 777. The Boeing 777 has four classes of service, from economy to first class; it does not have the class-leading Suites, though. You can only find those on the airline's A380s.
Still, it's a terrific way to cross the Atlantic as you nibble on satay and sip on a Singapore sling cocktail.
You can book this flight using Air Canada Aeroplan points for just 60,000 points each way plus CA$277 (about $206).
Singapore Airlines also operates a fifth-freedom flight from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH); however, this route will cease to operate from April 1, 2025.
If you want to stay within Europe, you could consider the airline's shorter fifth-freedom hop between BCN and MXP.
Related: Which Singapore Airlines business class is better? A380 vs. A350
Amsterdam and Vienna to Bangkok on EVA Airways
You can fly a Taiwanese carrier direct from Europe to Thailand.
EVA Airways is based in Taipei's Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), off the coast of China. It also operates routes to Bangkok from these three European airports: Heathrow Airport (LHR), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), and Vienna Airport (VIE).
If possible, we recommend departing from Amsterdam or Vienna to avoid London's Air Passenger Duty, which will add several hundred dollars to the cost of your airfare.
EVA offers solid economy- and business-class products, top-notch customer service, and enjoyable food. However, the food sometimes gets overlooked in favor of more well-known Asian airlines like Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines.
You can book these fifth-freedom flights with Air Canada Aeroplan points for 50,000 points each way in economy or 80,000 points in business class plus CA$147 (about $109)
Related: Is EVA Airways business class worth it on the Boeing 787-10?
Paris to Los Angeles or Seattle with Air Tahiti Nui
Maybe you want to try something completely different on a trip from France to the U.S. West Coast — or, more specifically, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Opt for Air Tahiti Nui, a French airline based in Papeete, French Polynesia.
The airline connects Paris to Papeete with a stop in either Seattle or LA. (The 9,995-mile route would be too much for a plane full of passengers and cargo to fly nonstop.)
Business-class award availability is very difficult to come by, but when it's available, it costs as few as 60,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles plus just $19 in fees and taxes.
Premium economy and economy seats are much more readily available for 40,000 miles and 30,000 miles, respectively.
Related: Well worth the wait: Air Tahiti Nui to French Polynesia in premium economy
Ethiopian Airlines' vast intra-Europe network
Ethiopian Airlines is arguably the king of European fifth-freedom flights. The largest airline in Africa flies to numerous European destinations from its hub in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). It adds several short-haul tag flights to drop off and collect more passengers before flying back to Africa.
Ethiopian's fifth-freedom network changes regularly, and some flights are not daily, but at the time of writing, flights operate between:
- Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) and Oslo Airport (OSL)
- Geneva Airport (GVA) and MAN
- MXP and Zurich Airport (ZRH)
- Vienna Airport (VIE) and Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
- Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
You can book these fifth-freedom flights for as few as 7,500 Aeroplan points in economy class or 15,000 points in business class. Fees and taxes will differ between airport pairs, but they should be around CA$100 ($74).
Related: A review of Ethiopian Airlines business class on the A350 from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa
Manchester to New York and Orlando on Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates a substantial route network from Ireland to Europe and North America. However, it has also launched a handful of routes from MAN in the U.K.
These include nonstop flights to New York airports as well as Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) on the sunny Caribbean island of Barbados.
Suppose you're looking to fly between the U.K. and North America, but you can't find award availability on British or American carriers. In that case, you can book Aer Lingus without visiting Ireland.
These flights are a great use of Alaska Mileage Plan miles, from just 22,500 miles in economy or 45,000 miles in business class on the shorter route to New York; prices fall around 27,500 miles in economy or 55,000 miles in business class on the longer Orlando route.
You must pay just $18.10 in fees and taxes for flights from the U.S. However, if you depart from the U.K., the APD will add several hundred more dollars.
Related: Act fast: Lie-flat business class to Europe as low as 45,000 miles each way
Bottom line
Whether you want to try out a new airline or an aircraft or use up some miles, there's likely to be a European fifth-freedom route perfect for you.
Best of all, you can book them with points and miles, and award availability is often excellent as the flights are not full (since they are dropping off or picking up extra people beyond or before their main stop).
For AvGeeks, a fifth-freedom route is one of the coolest ways to fly.
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