How about in fifths? Or with fries? Yet again, we play with words for what we hope is your enjoyment. You won’t see any of those (‘WOW, LOOK AT THIS LOL”) posts from us. So, to the point. Amongst all of the phrases, terms and jargon that is part and parcel of the aviation industry (and there are many,) one that you may not have heard of is the concept of Fifth Freedoms. We’ll do our best to explain it, because it’s not the most intuitive subject matter on the planet. But, once you do understand, you’ll see that it has lots of benefits that can make your air travel easier, cheaper and even faster. And it’s one of those things that gets very little coverage.
The term “Fifth Freedom” typically refers to the right or privilege of an airline to fly between two foreign countries on a flight originating or ending in its own country. The concept of “Freedoms of the Air” is a set of aviation rights that define the extent of permissible air traffic operations between countries. These freedoms are categorized from the First to the Fifth.
The “Fifth Freedom” specifically allows an airline to carry traffic between two foreign countries as part of a service that originates or ends in the airline’s home country. For example, if an airline from Country A has the Fifth Freedom rights, it can operate a flight from its home country to Country B, pick up passengers in Country B, and then continue on to Country C, carrying passengers solely between Country B and Country C.
So, what are the actual benefits? Fifth Freedom rights allow airlines to create routes that connect two foreign countries via the airline’s home country. This can result in more direct flights between city pairs that might not otherwise have direct services. Travelers benefit from increased connectivity and more convenient travel options. Also, The presence of multiple airlines operating on a Fifth Freedom route can introduce competition, leading to potentially lower airfares and improved service quality. Increased competition often encourages airlines to offer competitive pricing and better amenities to attract passengers.
Click here to look and book Emirates Fifth Freedom options.
Even better, travelers gain access to a wider range of carriers and flight options, allowing them to choose airlines based on factors such as schedule, service quality, and pricing. This increased choice can enhance the overall travel experience for passengers. And there are a number of other benefits once you’re aware of this.
Europe, being such a huge and diverse market, leads the way when it comes to capitalising on this unusual aviation by-product. Look into these carriers, who use Fifth Freedom benefits: British Airways, China Airlines, Emirates, KLM, Singapore Airlines and Qantas. Click here for KLM.
British Airways fly virtually everywhere. Click here to learn more about their Fifth Freedom options.