A Complete, Updated List of Fifth-Freedom Routes

Looks like ET is terminating MAD-DUB by end October and will route the DUB flight via BRU (5th freedom?)

DL will terminate NRT-SIN (by september?) and NRT-MNL by march. Look like they may start ICN-MNL (5th freedom?)
 
Last edited:
I was one of the unfortunate ones with a direct SIN to BNE flight in April. It was cancelled last night. The flight was booked on QFF points, so we rang QF platinum call line, and emirates had already transferred us onto the direct QF flight. Got the new tickets issues by QF, and even better we now get to go visit the SIN First lounge before better half looses WP status :) Interestingly when I booked these (4) tickets two weeks ago, there was no award seats available on QF, so I am glad we weren't forced to go via Sydney or else where. I do like that QF allowed us to go onto the earlier flight (well 14 hrs earlier) then being forced onto the same day flight.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

On Thursday, the watchdog said Emirates had provided evidence to support its claims, and that CCCS had received no feedback voicing concerns.

Apparently, my submission objecting to the cancellation of the route counts as "no feedback". Tells you who really matters.
 
Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Are flights between TPE and KIX operated by 3K considered 5th freedom?
 
Nauru Airlines are no longer flying BNE-HIR or MAJ-PNI (Flight Schedule).

Suggest including the United flights MAJ-KWA-KSA-PNI-TKK-GUM, which would make KWA-KSA and TKK-GUM fifth freedom flights.
 
Nauru Airlines are no longer flying BNE-HIR or MAJ-PNI (Flight Schedule).

Suggest including the United flights MAJ-KWA-KSA-PNI-TKK-GUM, which would make KWA-KSA and TKK-GUM fifth freedom flights.

I have removed BNE-HIR and MAJ-PNI from the list.

The United Island Hopper service is another one of those "grey areas" as the flight originates and terminates in the USA (Guam/Honolulu). As far as I can tell, the only sectors of the Island Hopper that qualify as fifth-freedom routes are KWA-KSA and KWA-PNI as these are between two different countries which are outside of the United States. Guam is a U.S. territory, so GUM-TKK is not fifth-freedom. The TKK-PNI and PNI-KSA sectors are both entirely within the Federated States of Micronesia, and KWA-MAJ is entirely within the Marshall Islands, so these are eighth-freedom routes.

I have therefore added KWA-KSA and KWA-PNI to the list.

I believe PR has stopped operating KIX - TPE.

Removed from the list.
 
VA will cease to operate both their fifth freedom routes:
Between AKL and TBU (Nuku'alofa in Tonga) from May 1
Between AKL and RAR (Rarotonga in Cook Islands) from July 21
 
 
Click HERE to view an article on this topic collaboratively compiled by our members using the (now retired) Wiki.




It has been suggested by @RooFlyer that an up-to-date list of fifth-freedom routes would be a useful AFF resource.

Fifth freedom flights are international routes that neither start nor end in the operating airline's home country. They typically operate as a "tag flight" extension to a flight that originates in the airline's hub. For example, the Singapore-London leg of QF1 is a fifth-freedom flight.

Fifth-freedom flights are great for numerous reasons:
· They're usually cheap
· Excellent award availability
· They typically use wide-body long-haul aircraft
· An opportunity to sample airlines you would otherwise never fly
· Can be handy for RTW bookings when you want to fly somewhere other than an alliance hub airport

Read more about fifth-freedom flights here: Fifth-Freedom Flights: A Great Way to Travel

The purpose of this thread is to provide a complete, up-to-date list of fifth-freedom routes. This thread can also be a place to discuss fifth-freedom flights in general.

I'll try to keep the wiki updated, but anyone is welcome to edit the wiki if any information is incorrect. Fifth-freedom routes change constantly, so there may be a few errors from time to time. AFF members are welcome to add any other fifth-freedom flights that I may have missed to the wiki. If you're unable to edit the wiki, just post in this thread.
Hi, the routes AMS- DMM - MCT and AMS - KWI - BAH operated by KLM have never been fifth freedom flights, since commercial tickets cannot be sold for the stretches DMM - MCT and KWI-BAH. However, the fifth freedom flight AMS - TPE - MNL is missing.
 

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top