There’s an airline booking strategy that savvy travelers use to access better seats, onboard amenities, and in-flight perks: they look for fifth-freedom flights.
A fifth-freedom flight is the official term for a route operated by an international carrier between two countries where the carrier is not based. Usually, airlines can only operate routes that start or end in their home countries to keep competition fair. Fifth-freedom flights, however, are a bit of a workaround. Carriers are allowed to operate flights between two foreign countries, as long as the itinerary eventually ends in their home nation.
With fifth-freedom flights, the first destination acts as a connection point. For example, UAE-based Emirates is allowed to fly from Newark to Athens to Dubai. But passengers can book tickets from Newark to Athens, without needing to continue on to Dubai.
These routes give travelers flying shorter international routes access to the larger aircraft and more comfortable seats that are normally reserved for ultra-long-haul flights. Although flight times on fifth-freedom routes are on the shorter side, it’s still a good way to try out some of the best airlines in the world without needing to book a more expensive trip.
Here’s a look at some of the best fifth freedom flights departing the U.S.
Singapore Airlines fifth-freedom routes
Upscale carrier Singapore Airlines operates two fifth freedom routes from the U.S. to Europe and Asia:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Singapore operates flight SQ11 daily from LAX to Tokyo. Flights on the route depart Los Angeles at 2:20 p.m. and arrive at Tokyo Narita at 5:50 p.m. the following day, before continuing on to Singapore.
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
The airline also operates a fifth-freedom route from JFK to Germany’s Frankfurt Airport. Flight SQ25 departs JFK at 8:55 p.m. every day and arrives in Frankfurt the next day at 10:40 a.m., before continuing to Singapore.
What to expect on board
On both routes, the airline uses its Boeing 777-300ER jets, which are outfitted in four cabin classes: first, business, premium economy, and economy. First class is an ultra-exclusive cabin with just four spacious, extra-wide seats, while the plush business-class cabin has 48 lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 layout. The airline’s 777 premium economy class is one of the best in the industry, with 28 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. Each seat has 38 inches of pitch, 19.5 inches of width, a footrest and calf rest, and two USB power ports.
Emirates fifth-freedom routes
Dubai-based Emirates operates three fifth-freedom routes from the U.S. to destinations South America and Europe. Two of the routes are operated by the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER planes:
New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Athens International Airport (ATH)
Emirates operates flight EK210 daily from Newark to Athens. Flights depart Newark at 11:55 p.m. and arrive in Athens at 4:05 p.m. the following day. The plane then continues on to Emirates’ home hub of Dubai.
Miami International Airport (MIA) to Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG)
When the three-hour flight to the Colombian capital launched in June 2024, Emirates became the first carrier to offer first class on the route out of Miami. The airline operates flight EK213 every day, with departures from Miami taking off at 12:35 p.m. and arrivals touching down in Bogota at 3:10 p.m. the same day.
What to expect on board
The carrier’s first-class cabin on the two routes, which are operated by Boeing 777-300ER jets, offers travelers eight private suites with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. The cabin also has zero-gravity lie-flat seats and fine dining on board. In business class, the 777 planes offer 42 lie-flat seats—a rarity on such a short route—with perks like Bulgari amenity kits. On the Athens-bound route, Emirates has recently added 777 planes that have been upgraded with the airline’s popular premium economy cabin, which offers plush seats with leg rests and 40 inches of seat pitch in a 2-4-2 configuration.
New York JFK to Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP)
Even more special is the carrier’s fifth-freedom flight from New York JFK to Milan (MXP). On that route, travelers can experience Emirates’ double-decker Airbus A380 plane, which is typically used to operate only the carrier’s longest flights. Emirates operates a daily flight on the route—EK206—with planes departing JFK at 10:20 p.m. and arriving in Milan at 12:15 p.m. the next day, before continuing to the final destination of Dubai.
What to expect on board
First and business class are located on the A380’s upper deck. First class is outfitted with 14 totally enclosed private suites with floor-to-ceiling doors and cozy lie-flat seats with turndown service from flight attendants, who make up the bed with premium linens. Fliers in first class on the A380 also get access to some of Emirates’ most famous amenities, like the onboard shower spa and bar lounge. Business class offers 76 lie-flat seats, all with direct aisle access in a 1-21 configuration. Certain A380s on the route also offer the airline’s premium economy cabin at the front of the main deck.
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