Searching flights for enjoyment is an odd interest of mine. Google Flights is my primary tool, and I happily browse routes, airline options, and deals when time permits. I know, odd hobby.
Through these searches, I’ve “discovered” a good number of interesting airline routes, including Condor’s seasonal service between Frankfurt and Whitehorse, Yukon(!). It’s rare that a route really surprises me, but there are definitely a few that have. Here are five that I stumbled upon in just the past couple weeks.
Air China: Madrid to Sao Paulo
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by something this wacky. Air China already flies other fifth freedom routes, including Montreal to Havana and Houston to Panama City. The latter has been on my list of fifth freedom routes to try for a while, although it doesn’t make the top five. I am highly interested in using Miles & Smiles to book it, though, since you pay just 15,000 for business class between the U.S. and Panama.
The crazy thing here is that this route is two long-haul legs. The other fifth freedom routes had reasonably short (<4 hours) final segments. This Air China flight covers 10,000 miles (PEK-MAD-GRU) over a block time of nearly 24 hours. Amazingly, it’s still one of the fastest option between these two countries.
Hainan: Beijing to Tijuana
This one took me aback completely. The Chinese capital to Tijuana, Mexico? Seriously? The flight actually continues on to Mexico City, but you obviously can’t purchase that segment by itself. I’m blown away that this is viable. But considering the fact that Chinese tourism abroad is growing at an unstoppable pace, I guess it makes sense that they’d add Mexico to the map.
EVA: Bangkok to Amsterdam
Another fifth freedom route that comes out of left field. The strangest part about this is that Bangkok is the hub of Star Alliance partner Thai Airways. Why isn’t Thai operating this route? Seems that if it is profitable, Thai would would already be serving it? EVA’s only nonstop competition is the Dutch flag carrier, KLM, a SkyTeam member.
Shanghai Airlines: Shanghai to Budapest
I didn’t even know Shanghai Airlines had any sort of long-haul fleet. The only time I’ve looked at the carrier’s flights has been as a connection from a U.S. long-haul to other places in China and East Asia. They are still highly integrated with China Eastern, their parent company, but Shanghai Airlines does have a handful of 787-9 aircraft that the use for long-haul flights. They even offer a first class product!
TAAG: Luanda to Rio de Janeiro
Never heard of TAAG, the flag carrier of Angola? I’ve been aware of them for a while. But I wasn’t aware that they flew outside of southern Africa. Would be interesting to give their 777 a try on this route. Getting into Angola as an American requires a whole lot of legwork, though.
Other Interesting Airline Routes?
I’m sure there are more odd and interesting airline routes out there. These are just my latest discoveries. What odd airline routes have you either flown or have an interest in flying?
Finding business class award space on the EVA flight BKK-AMS is extremely tough. As a huge EVA fanboy, I’ve checked for lots of months at a time for my wife and I and came up with nothing. Just a caveat for people who think this idea is as cool as I do.
Good to know! I’ve not looked for awards, but it seems like a cool route to fly.
EVA is not allowed over PRC air space. Back before longer range planes, all their flights to Europe had to make a fuel stop in Bangkok. While no longer necessary, EVA continues to fly from Bangkok to Amsterdam and Vienna.
Angola, a former Portuguese colony, has very close ties with Brazil, so nothing odd there. But TAAG does fly between Luanda and Havana, Cuba.
Thanks for the insights! I didn’t realize the ban on PRC airspace, but given the tension between the countries, it makes sense.
“Air China already flies other fifth freedom routes, including Toronto to Havana and Houston to Panama City.”
They fly Montreal to Havana, not Toronto to Havana.
Dang it. Another error I should have easily caught. Thanks for pointing it out.
Eva flies Bangkok-eu to Avios PRC airspace
Ah! It all makes sense now.
EVA flies Bangkok – Vienna as well.
That seems even more odd. Except for the fact that VIE is at least a *A hub.
& BKK-LHR as well
China Airlines (Taiwan, SkyTeam) are not Air China (Mainland, Star Alliance)
Ugh. Fixed. Good catch. I mix them up all the time. Does not help that the Air China IATA code is CA. I know which I’m talking about, I just write the wrong one at times.