Article: Emirates fifth-freedom routes

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Emirates currently has 15 fifth-freedom routes, including two out of Australia (SYD-CHC and MEL-SIN). These can be a good way to enjoy the Emirates experience without flying to or from Dubai. The fuel surcharges on these sectors can also be much lower, in some instances, when you redeem points for a reward seat.

Here's a full list:


You can discuss this topic or leave a comment below.
 
Other previous fifth-freedom routes:
BKK-PNH

I've flown on 4:
BNE-SIN
MEL-KUL
MEL-SIN
MEX-BCN
 
Last edited:
Other previous fifth-freedom routes:
BKK-PNH

I've flown on 4:
BNE-SIN
MEL-KUL
MEL-SIN
MEX-BCN
SYD-BKK.

Did that once and made the mistake of getting off the plane. Could have just laid back and relaxed instead, by the time we got through security it was time to reboard…

CHC-SYD is a decent one - with the longer flying time to enjoy the bar (or a shower in F!).
 
Other previous fifth-freedom routes:
BKK-PNH

I've flown on 4:
BNE-SIN
MEL-KUL
MEL-SIN
MEX-BCN

I've flown:
LCA-MLA
SIN-MEL
AKL-SYD
CHC-SYD
MEL-AKL


Used to love the MEL/SYD/BNE-AKL flights, alas they are long gone.
 
I flew AKL-BNE in F back in 2018 on my birthday. I maximized it well, took a shower, had a few glasses of champagne and even talked them out of an amenity kit (birthday gift)! I was offering to pay for it and they said I could just have it. Back in those days the surcharges weren't so bad.
 
Soon after the Airbus 380 was introduced, I wanted to fly on it but it was only used on long haul flights, which my wife couldn't cope with due to claustrophobia. Then Emirates introduced the A380 to its fifth freedom BNE-AKL. My wife gave me some of her points, which I used to get BNE-AKL economy, then I booked AKL-BNE in Business (on the same day). She took me to airport. I used the AKL lounge for lunch then was in the A380 bar some of the way back, discovering Chateauneuf de Pape Blanc. My wife then took me home after my day out to Auckland Airport and she said I was giggling. Great day.
 
Dubious value depending on the route it seems. (IMHO). MEL to SIN in business class is 75,000 points per passenger plus $1205 or 107,000 points in first class plus $1205. I think I would struggle to savour a premium class on an 8 hour flight that departed MEL at 2.25am going to a similar time zone !
 
Dubious value depending on the route it seems. (IMHO). MEL to SIN in business class is 75,000 points per passenger plus $1205 or 107,000 points in first class plus $1205. I think I would struggle to savour a premium class on an 8 hour flight that departed MEL at 2.25am going to a similar time zone !
Hint... Try SIN to MEL only. :)
 
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Flew Mel-Kul once. Almost put me off EK forever. Laziest crew ever experienced on a flight in 40+ years. Dirty unserviced toilets with no toilet paper. Crew dissapeared after dinner and couldn't even get a cup of water, didn't respond to the bell. Didn't reappear until the service before landing and looked like they didn't want to be there.
 
Flew Mel-Kul once. Almost put me off EK forever. Laziest crew ever experienced on a flight in 40+ years. Dirty unserviced toilets with no toilet paper. Crew dissapeared after dinner and couldn't even get a cup of water, didn't respond to the bell. Didn't reappear until the service before landing and looked like they didn't want to be there.
Was it the red-eye?
 
EK recently launched their newest Fifth Freedom route, MIA-BOG and before that it was SIN-PNH.
 
 

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