Cheap flights today can be achieved in one way or another. But very few travelers know about the Fifth Freedom Flight. This little-known rule in fact allows savvy enough fliers to book cheap flights. Learn how.
Loophole Amounts to Very Cheap Flights
Not too long ago, Emirate made the formal, public announcement on its most recent route, flying now from Singapore to Penang, Malaysia. However, Emirates, a major airline, is based in Dubai, and not as you might imagine, Malasia or Singapore. How is it permitted to operate between those 2 countries? This kind of route is called fifth freedom flight.
The fifth freedom flight loophole results from cheaper flights, enhanced use of frequent flier miles to nicer planes. This loophole allows Emirates to fly between two countries, Singapore and Malaysia, and could open the way for fliers to huge saving advantages. Fifth freedom flights take you between two nations which are different from the airline's home base. This kind of route is allowed as long as such flights start or end in the airline's home country.
KLM's flights from Amsterdam--its home-base--to Santiago, Chile, stopping once in Buenos Aires, is another example. It may sell flights from Amsterdam to whichever of the two cities in South America, but as well as only between Santiago and Buenos Aires. That's fifth freedom fight in action. Why? KLM is a Dutch airline offering flights to fliers between 2 cities not in the Netherlands.
Fifth freedom routes are created in the Chicago convention, which may require long and weary negotiations, because 3 nations are involved; but if approved, such routes can provide an ideal solution for international airlines searching for a way to fill planes in long-distance trips.
A fifth freedom flight helps airlines fly more cheaply to international locations. For instance, KLM's flights between Amsterdam and Santiago or Buenos Aires might otherwise not be commercially sustainable for an airline like KLM to have 2 separate flights that flies a long distance. Also, it's not either practical or economical for an airline required to travel across continents. But, by combining the 2 cities provides the airline with more flexibility. These flights stimulate competition and give additional options for flyers between nations.
Fifth freedom flights could present unusual opportunities to attain a better time out of a cheaper airfare that's on the same routing. Much nicer and larger planes fly on these routes, for they are often extensions of a previous long-haul flight. Such carriers can provide an overall better cabin experience, better food, and the seats are much more comfortable. Also, you can buy these flights using your frequent flier miles.
In the U.S. there are many fifth freedom routes such as Emirates flying between Milan and New York JFK, Air New Zealand operating flights on a weekly basis from L.A. to the Cook Islands. Passengers flying the Cathay route obviously preferred the Boeing 777-300 ER, policy of free check bags, and a free meal. The flights between Frankfurt, Milan, New York and Athens offer regular discounted tickets across all cabins. LATTAM operates between Frankfurt and Madrid with often cheap airfare as well as the option of mileage redemption seats. This type of routes will get you better service and you'll also locate availability and special spots whenever you decide to redeem miles with any partner airline, charging less miles for an enhanced in-flight experience and award value.
Moreover, Air France operates between Papeete and Los Angeles, Tahiti, South African Airways flies between Accra, Ghana and Washington Dulles. Airlines such as Turkish and Brussels Airlines, Air France, Kenya and Ethiopian Airways operate several of these routes within Africa. Search for such flights to have a greater possibility to redeem frequent flier miles.
Fired Travel Agent Tells the Public the Airline's Dirty Secrets (or loopholes), How to Turn Them Around In Your Favor, Including How to Fly Practically Free!
