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When I first discovered miles & points, I spent my weeknights scrolling the Air Canada FlyerTalk forum. There, I came across something I’d never seen before: Air Canada operates a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner between São Paulo and Buenos Aires. It is part of a longer flight from Canada, but Air Canada also sells that segment as an independent ticket. This is what we call a fifth freedom flight.
It turns out many airlines sometimes operate routes between two countries that aren’t even their home country. Welcome to Pandora’s Box, where your aviation goals may never be the same.
The Logic Behind Fifth Freedom Flights
So why do airlines operate fifth freedom flights in the first place? The original reason was that airplanes couldn’t serve long-haul markets without refuelling stops. This was common through the 1970s, but as aircraft technology improved, those stops became less necessary.
Nowadays, fifth freedom flights are a way for airlines to earn additional revenue and maximize aircraft utilization.
Fly Emirates first class between New York and Milan
Why Care About Fifth Freedom Flights
Fifth freedom flights are a fun quirk in the world of aviation. Boarding one feels almost like being let in on a secret. The best airlines bring a strong sense of their home country into the cabin, which makes it especially surreal when you’re flying between two places that have nothing to do with that airline’s origin.
Beyond the whimsical fun of it all, fifth-freedom flights usually offer a significant upgrade in hard product. Singapore Airlines flies Milan–Barcelona as part of its Singapore–Milan–Barcelona service, using the same A350 aircraft. This means you get a true long-haul product on a short European flight.
Singapore Airlines A350 business class
I flew this exact route in 2024 and can confirm sipping a Singapore Sling while stretching out in a lie-flat bed on an intra-European flight felt almost absurd, in the best way possible.
During the SAS Eurobonus challenge, fifth freedom flights allowed participants to tick off additional SkyTeam airlines without having to reposition to every hub.
Cool Fifth Freedom Routes
There are the fifth freedom flights everyone knows about: Singapore Airlines New York JFK–Frankfurt and Emirates Newark–Milan come to mind. Then there are the lesser-known ones. Here are a few on my bucket list, along with how to book them.
Ethiopian Airlines between Seoul and Tokyo Narita
As I rarely fly to Africa, the prospect of flying with an African airline between two destinations in East Asia absolutely fascinates me. The best way to book either is with Aeroplan points, although Ethiopian award space is not available online at the moment.
Ethiopian Airlines B787 business class
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur
In addition to Jakarta–Kuala Lumpur, KLM also flies between Singapore and Bali. I’m interested in these flights as a way to collect more KLM Delft Blue collectible houses without needing to fly KLM long-haul (again).
You can book this with Flying Blue at 25,000 miles one-way in business class.
SWISS between São Paulo and Buenos Aires
Since redeeming miles for SWISS long-haul flights is near impossible, I’m eyeing this fifth freedom route.
I really want to experience SWISS first class, and a few years ago, it was possible to book just this route using United MileagePlus or Lufthansa Miles & More for everyone, including those without elite status. This opportunity has popped up occasionally, so I’m watching for it.
Also, SWISS usually allows you to redeem points for business class and then pay a cash upgrade to first class.
Book business class and then cash upgrade
Takeaway
Fifth freedom flights are when airlines operate between two countries outside their country of origin. Originally, these routes existed for fuel stops; today, they’re about revenue and aircraft utilization.
For passengers, a fifth freedom flight can mean experiencing a widebody lie-flat business or first class cabin on routes usually operated by regional aircraft. Think Ethiopian Airlines between Seoul and Tokyo, KLM between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, and SWISS between São Paulo and Buenos Aires.
