What are fifth-freedom routes?
Fifth-freedom routes are one of aviation's most interesting quirks. These flights allow an airline to carry passengers between two foreign countries as part of a service connecting to its home country. For example, Qantas flying from Sydney to London via Singapore, the Singapore to London segment is a fifth-freedom route where passengers can book just that leg.
These routes offer unique opportunities for travelers: competitive pricing, premium service at lower costs and sometimes the only direct connection between city pairs. This guide explores the most notable fifth-freedom routes operating in 2026.
This article builds upon the comprehensive data compiled by Australian Frequent Flyer , which maintains a complete list of current fifth-freedom flights.
Notable fifth-freedom routes (2026)
Singapore Airlines: Transatlantic connections
Frankfurt (FRA) to New York JFK (JFK)
Main Route: Singapore (SIN) → Frankfurt (FRA) → New York (JFK)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 3,851 miles
Flight Time: ~8 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Singapore Airlines operates this premium transatlantic route as an extension of their Singapore-Frankfurt service. Passengers can book just the FRA-JFK segment, enjoying Singapore Airlines' renowned service and lie-flat business class seats at competitive prices.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Main Route: Singapore (SIN) → Tokyo Narita (NRT) → Los Angeles (LAX)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 5,478 miles
Flight Time: ~10 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
This transpacific fifth-freedom route offers an alternative to the traditionally dominant US and Japanese carriers on this busy corridor. Singapore Airlines brings its premium product to the competitive Tokyo-Los Angeles market.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Barcelona (BCN)
Main Route: Singapore (SIN) → Milan (MXP) → Barcelona (BCN)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 610 miles
Flight Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
A short but useful European fifth-freedom route connecting two major cities with Singapore Airlines' premium service.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Emirates: Extensive fifth-freedom network
Milan Malpensa (MXP) to New York JFK (JFK)
Main Route: Dubai (DXB) → Milan (MXP) → New York (JFK)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 4,003 miles
Flight Time: ~9 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Emirates' flagship fifth-freedom route offers lie-flat seats and premium service between Milan and New York at prices often lower than legacy carriers. This route showcases Emirates' three-class configuration including their famous first-class suites.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Barcelona (BCN) to Mexico City (MEX)
Main Route: Dubai (DXB) → Barcelona (BCN) → Mexico City (MEX)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 6,049 miles
Flight Time: ~12 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
One of the longest fifth-freedom routes, this transatlantic connection is often one of the only direct options between Spain and Mexico, making it highly valuable for travelers.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Athens (ATH) to Newark (EWR)
Main Route: Dubai (DXB) →Athens (ATH) → Newark (EWR)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 4,928 miles
Flight Time: ~10 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
This route provides an alternative transatlantic option with Emirates' product at often competitive prices compared to traditional carriers on this route.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Sydney (SYD) to Christchurch (CHC)
Main Route: Dubai (DXB) → Sydney (SYD) → Christchurch (CHC)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 1,318 miles
Flight Time: ~3 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A380
Emirates operates this trans-Tasman route with their flagship A380, offering competition to Qantas and Air New Zealand on this popular route with premium international service.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Qantas: Kangaroo route connections
Singapore (SIN) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Main Route: Sydney/Melbourne (SYD/MEL) → Singapore (SIN) → London (LHR)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 6,765 miles
Flight Time: ~13 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A380
The classic Kangaroo Route segment where Qantas operates this iconic fifth-freedom route, connecting Singapore to London with their premium A380 service.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Auckland (AKL) to New York JFK (JFK)
Main Route: Sydney (SYD) → Auckland (AKL) → New York (JFK)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 6,506 miles
Flight Time: ~15 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
One of the longest fifth-freedom routes, Qantas connects Auckland to New York on Australia's longest flights, offering competition to Air New Zealand.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
British Airways: Long-haul connections
Singapore (SIN) to Sydney (SYD)
Main Route: London (LHR) → Singapore (SIN) → Sydney (SYD)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 3,918 miles
Flight Time: ~8 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
British Airways continues its historic Kangaroo Route tradition with this fifth-freedom segment, providing competition to Singapore Airlines and Qantas on this route.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Turkish Airlines: Asia-Pacific reach
Singapore (SIN) to Melbourne (MEL)
Main Route: Istanbul (IST) → Singapore (SIN) → Melbourne (MEL)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 3,748 miles
Flight Time: ~7 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
Turkish Airlines extends its reach to Australia with this fifth-freedom route, offering an additional option for travelers between Singapore and Melbourne.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
EVA Air: Bangkok hub strategy
Bangkok (BKK) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Main Route: Taipei (TPE) → Bangkok (BKK) → London (LHR)
Fifth-Freedom Segment Distance: 5,926 miles
Flight Time: ~12 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
Taiwan's EVA Air operates multiple fifth-freedom routes from Bangkok to Europe. This route to London offers competitive pricing and excellent service on the popular Bangkok-London corridor.
📥 Download route data (CSV) | 🗺️ Track this route in the app
Global fifth-freedom routes map
📥 Download all routes data (CSV) | 🗺️ View all routes on map
Understanding the freedoms of the air
Fifth-freedom routes are part of a broader framework of aviation rights negotiated between countries:
- First Freedom: The right to fly over another country without landing
- Second Freedom: The right to refuel or make technical stops in another country
- Third Freedom: The right to carry passengers from your home country to another country
- Fourth Freedom: The right to carry passengers from another country back to your home country
- Fifth Freedom: The right to carry passengers between two foreign countries as part of a route connected to your home country
- Sixth Freedom: The right to carry passengers between two foreign countries via your home country
- Seventh Freedom: The right to operate standalone routes between two foreign countries
- Eighth Freedom (Cabotage): The right to carry passengers within a foreign country
Why fifth-freedom routes exist
- Aircraft Positioning: Airlines need to fly planes to distant destinations anyway; carrying passengers on the return or continuation leg makes economic sense
- Bilateral Agreements: Countries negotiate aviation rights that include fifth-freedom provisions to encourage connectivity
- Fill Capacity: Long-haul routes often include intermediate stops where additional passengers can fill empty seats
- Market Competition: Fifth-freedom carriers add competition to routes, often lowering fares and improving service
- Geographic Reality: Some routes make logical stopover points between an airline's hub and distant destinations
Benefits for travelers
- More Competition: Fifth-freedom carriers often offer competitive pricing compared to traditional carriers
- Premium Service: Gulf carriers and Asian airlines bring their high-quality products to routes typically served by different standards
- Additional Options: More flight times and routings to choose from
- New Connections: Some fifth-freedom routes are the only direct connection between certain city pairs
- Loyalty Programs: Opportunity to earn and use miles with different airline alliances
- Aircraft Variety: Experience different aircraft types and cabin products
How to find fifth-freedom flights
- Search Directly: Look for flights on airlines headquartered in countries other than your origin and destination
- Check Gulf Carriers: Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways operate many fifth-freedom routes
- Look at Asian Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and others have strategic fifth-freedom routes
- ITA Matrix: Use this search tool to see all routing options between city pairs
- Airline Websites: Sometimes fifth-freedom segments are only bookable directly with the operating carrier
- Be Flexible: Fifth-freedom flights may not operate daily, so flexibility with dates helps
Challenges and controversy
Fifth-freedom routes can be politically sensitive:
- Local Carrier Opposition: Airlines from affected countries often lobby against fifth-freedom rights, claiming unfair competition
- Limited Availability: Many bilateral agreements restrict or prohibit fifth-freedom rights
- Frequency Limitations: Some routes are limited to specific frequencies or aircraft types
- Protectionism: Countries may revoke or restrict fifth-freedom rights to protect national carriers
- Economic Arguments: Debates about whether fifth-freedom carriers hurt local employment and connectivity
- US Market: The United States generally restricts fifth-freedom rights more than other markets
Notable historical fifth-freedom routes
- Pan Am's Around-the-World Service: Historic fifth-freedom segments connecting cities globally
- British Airways' Pacific Routes: London to Sydney via multiple stops with fifth-freedom rights
- Singapore Airlines' US Routes: Formerly operated multiple fifth-freedom segments within the United States
- Air New Zealand's UK Service: Historic London-Los Angeles fifth-freedom route
- Thai Airways' European Routes: Multiple fifth-freedom segments connecting European cities
Future of fifth-freedom routes
The landscape is constantly evolving:
- Long-Range Aircraft: Modern planes like the A350 and 787 make non-stop flights more viable, reducing need for stopover routes
- Open Skies Agreements: More liberal aviation agreements creating new fifth-freedom opportunities
- Gulf Carrier Growth: ME3 airlines (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar) continue expanding fifth-freedom networks
- Protectionist Pushback: Some countries restricting fifth-freedom rights to protect legacy carriers
- COVID-19 Impact: Pandemic disrupted many routes; recovery creating new patterns
- Environmental Concerns: Multi-stop routes facing scrutiny vs. non-stop alternatives
Track your fifth-freedom flights
Have you experienced a fifth-freedom route? These unique flights offer memorable experiences with international carriers on unexpected routes. Add your fifth-freedom flights to My Flight Routes and tag them to see how many of these special routes you've flown. Share your experiences and discover new fifth-freedom opportunities for your next trip.
Source and additional resources
This article was inspired by and builds upon the comprehensive fifth-freedom route guide maintained by Australian Frequent Flyer . For the most current and detailed list of available fifth-freedom routes, please visit their comprehensive guide.