Emirates operates 16 ‘fifth freedom’ routes around the world. Fifth freedom flights are flights that do not start or end in the airlines’ home market, in this case, Dubai.
More often than not, these are tags which allow an airline to easily add more destinations to their network. Cash prices for fifth freedom flights are usually very good value and reward availability excellent.
Back in the day, my favourite way to get to Muscat was on the British Airways fifth freedom flight from Abu Dhabi. It was often possible to book a return ticket in Premium Economy for less than AED 250.
All but one of the 16 routes below can be booked using Skywards Miles. This is very useful for Skywards members based outside of the UAE but also for flyers looking to experience Emirates First and Business Class on shorter routes requiring fewer miles.
All of the redemption rates listed below are for return bookings. Unfortunately, Skywards redemption rates for one way bookings are poor value unless you are sitting on a hefty stash of miles.
This is the complete list of Emirates’ fifth freedom routes:
Barcelona (BCN) <> Mexico City (MEX)
This will be the airlines newest and longest fifth freedom flight when it launches. Emirates will start flying between Barcelona and Mexico City on 9 December 2019. The route will operate daily with a refurbished two class 777. Flying west the flight time is scheduled to be just over 13 hours. Skywards redemption rates have not been published yet but I would expect them to be:
- Economy: 50,400 (Saver) 103,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 120,000 (Saver) 166,500 (Flex Plus)
Sydney (SYD) <> Christchurch (CHC)
Emirates operates a daily A380 between Sydney and Christchurch. The flight is just over 3 hours and the cost of a Skywards redemption is:
- Economy: 36,000 (Saver) 61,000(Flex Plus)
- Business: 72,000 (Saver) 101,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 108,000 (Flex) 137,000 (Flex Plus)
Melbourne (MEL) <> Singapore (SIN)
Emirates operates a daily 777 between Melbourne and Singapore. The flight is almost 8 hours. Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 50,400 (Saver) 103,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 120,000 (Saver) 166,500 (Flex Plus)
- First: 186,000 (Flex) 226,500 (Flex Plus)
Brisbane (BNE) <> Singapore (SIN)
Emirates operates a daily 777 between Brisbane and Singapore. The flight is scheduled at around 7 hours 20 minutes. Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 50,400 (Saver) 103,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 120,000 (Saver) 166,500 (Flex Plus)
- First: 186,000 (Flex) 226,500 (Flex Plus)
Malé (MLE) <> Colombo (CMB)
Emirates operates a daily 777 between Malé and Colombo. This is one of the shorter fifth freedom routes at around 90 minutes. Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 10,000 (Saver) 17,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 20,000 (Saver) 27,500 (Flex Plus)
- First: 30,000 (Flex) 37,500 (Flex Plus)
Bangkok (BKK) <> Hong Kong (HKG)
Emirates operates a daily A380 between Bangkok and Hong Kong. The flight is scheduled at 3 hours which is plenty of time to grab a couple of drinks in the bar or shower in the First Class shower spa. Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 20,000 (Saver) 35,000 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 40,000 (Saver) 55,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 60,000 (Flex) 75,000 (Flex Plus)
Bangkok (BKK) <> Phnom Penh (PNH)
Emirates operates a daily 777 between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. This is a short flight at around 1 hour 20 minutes. The Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 20,000 (Saver) 35,000 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 40,000 (Saver) 55,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 60,000 (Flex) 75,000 (Flex Plus)
Aukland (AKL) <> Denpasar (DPS)
Emirates operates a daily 777 between Aukland and Bali. This is one of the longer fifth freedom routes at around 9 hours flying west. The Skywards redemption rates for return tickets are:
- Economy: 60,000 (Saver) 105,000 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 120,000 (Saver) 165,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 180,000 (Flex) 225,000 (Flex Plus)
Larnaca (LCA) <> Malta (MLA)
Emirates operates a daily 777 between Larnaca in Cyprus and Malta. This flight is just under 3 hours flying west which is longer than I would have expected. Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 20,000 (Saver) 35,000 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 40,000 (Saver) 55,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 60,000 (Flex) 75,000 (Flex Plus)
Athens (ATH) <> Newark (EWR)
Emirates operate a daily 777 between Athens and Newark. This is currently the longest fifth freedom route the airline flies. The flight time is close to 11 hours flying west. The price of Skywards redemptions are:
- Economy: 45,000 (Saver) 77,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 90,000 (Saver) 125,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 135,000 (Flex) 170,000 (Flex Plus)
Milan (MXP) <> New York (JFK)
Emirates operates a daily A380 between Milan and New York JFK. The flight time is just over 9 hours on the westbound. Skywards reward bookings cost:
- Economy: 45,000 (Saver) 77,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 90,000 (Saver) 125,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 135,000 (Flex) 170,000 (Flex Plus)
Accra (ACC) <> Abidjan (ABJ)
Emitates operates a daily 777 at between Accra and Abidjan. At 60 mins this is the shortest fifth freedom flight the airline flies. The costs of Skywards redemptions are:
- Economy: 10,000 (Saver) 17,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 20,000 (Saver) 27,500 (Flex Plus)
- First: 30,000 (Flex) 37,500 (Flex Plus)
Harare (HRE) <> Lusaka (LUN)
Emirates flies a 777 daily between Harare and Lusaka. This is a short flight at just over an hour. Skywards redemptions are priced:
- Economy: 10,000 (Saver) 17,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 20,000 (Saver) 27,500 (Flex Plus)
- First: 30,000 (Flex) 37,500 (Flex Plus)
Rio de Janeiro (GIG) <> Santiago (SCL)
Emirates operates a daily 777 in a two-class format 3 times per week. The flight time is around 4 hours. Skywards rewards are priced at:
- Economy: 25,000 (Saver) 42,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 50,000 (Saver) 70,000 (Flex Plus)
Rio de Janeiro (GIG) <> Buenos Aires (EZE)
Emirates operates a Boeing 777 four times a week between Rio and Buenos Aires. The flight is up to 3 hours 30 minutes. Skywards redemption rates are:
- Economy: 25,000 (Saver) 42,500 (Flex Plus)
- Business: 50,000 (Saver) 70,000 (Flex Plus)
- First: 75,000 (Flex) 95,500 (Flex Plus)
Conakry (CKY) <> Dakar (DSS)
This may be the most usual fifth freedom route Emirates flies. It operates five times a week and only in one direction between Conakry in Guinea and Dakar in Senegal. It is not possible to book this route with Skywards Miles online. Although, cash tickets are available from AED 479.
How to book fifth freedom flights with Skywards Miles
Very easy. All of these fifth freedom routes can be booked online in the same way as other Skywards bookings.
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You can expect lots of information on Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai as well as Etihad Guest. I will also be sharing thoughts on the best credit cards for points and miles earning in the UAE.