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Emirates gets approval to launch flights to Mexico City, creating new fifth freedom route

Nov. 09, 2019
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4 min read
Emirates-777-300ER-2
Emirates gets approval to launch flights to Mexico City, creating new fifth freedom route
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One of the issues at the heart of the Open Skies debate between US and Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar is fifth freedom routes, routes that an airline operates between two countries other than the one it's registered in.

Now, after a prolonged stalemate, Arabian Business reports that Emirates has been granted approval by Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transport to operate flights from Dubai to Mexico City with a stop in Barcelona (BCN) in each direction starting December 9.

Emirates has been wanting to add service to Mexico City (MEX) for a while now, though the higher elevation of Mexico City makes it nearly impossible to operate this flight nonstop. Emirates finally secured pick-up rights on the last leg, meaning it could carry passengers just between Barcelona and Mexico City, creating the new fifth freedom route. The flight will launch on December 9, and will be operated daily with a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft according to the following schedules:

  • EK255 Dubai to Barcelona departing 3:30 a.m. arriving 8 a.m.
  • EK255 Barcelona to Mexico City departing 9:55 a.m. arriving 4:15 p.m.
  • EK256 Mexico City to Barcelona departing 7:40 p.m. arriving 1:25 p.m. (+1 day)
  • EK256 Barcelona to Dubai departing 3:10 p.m. arriving 12:45 a.m. (+1 day)

Further Reading: 10 Best North American Fifth Freedom Carriers to Book with Points

As part of a settlement to the Open Skies dispute in 2018, the gulf airlines had to agree that they didn't have any plans to launch new fifth freedom routes to the US. Crucially, this agreement didn't actually prevent them from launching fifth freedom routes in the future (they only had to state that at the time of the signing they didn't have plans to do so) and it only applied to the US, not the rest of the North America. Unsurprisingly, Aeromexico objected to this new competition, and given Delta's large equity investment in Aeromexico, this proposed route reopened parts of the Open Skies debate.

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Emirates already operates two North American fifth freedom routes, flying daily from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) and from Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH), before both flights continue on to Dubai (DXB).

Emirates has a few different configurations for its 777-200LR aircraft, but according to ExpertFlyer the one operating this route won't feature a first class cabin. Instead, there will be seven rows of business class laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration. While this is better than the 2-3-2 configuration found on many of Emirates' planes, business class seats without direct aisle access are hardly competitive, especially from an airline that built much of its reputation on the luxury of its premium cabins.

Emirates’ new 2-2-2 business class on the 777-200LR. Photo by Zach Honig / The Points Guy

If you're looking to redeem points and miles to fly on this route, you have two primary options: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and JAL Mileage Bank. The former charges a larger amount of miles while the latter tacks on aggressive fuel surcharges. The table below shows how much a one-way business class award would cost from Mexico City to Barcelona, or all the way to Dubai. Note that since fuel surcharges are dependent on the origin city, flying in the opposite direction would cost the same number of miles but a different amount in taxes.

Mexico City to BarcelonaMexico City to Dubai
Alaska Airlines
105,000 miles
82,500 miles
JAL
60,000 miles (~$750)
85,000 miles (~$900)

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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