✈ SINGAPORE AIRLINES - 5TH FREEDOM FLIGHT Milan Malpensa to Barcelona.

After far too many years, I finally travel again on Singapore Airlines. Did I love Singapore Airlines because I genuinely thought they were great, or because they were the first airline I ever flew with. On this video, I find out. What is 5th freedom, and how can a foreign airline fly between Milan Malpensa and Barcelona? #singaporeairlines #malpensa
Filmed April 2024 | Malpensa, Italy.
*** PLEASE BUY ME A COFFEE TO KEEP ME UP TO CRUISING ALTITUDE: ko-fi.com/planestrainseverything
*** MY BOOK:
End-To-End, the world's longest train journey from Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
www.amazon.co.uk/End-End-Worl...
This journey was also captured on video. To see all 16 parts, please visit • END TO END
*** FOLLOW ME AT:
Web: www.planestrainseverything.com
X (Twitter): / planestrainsev1
Facebook: / planestrainseverything
Instagram: / planestrainseverything
TikTok: @planestrainsevery
*** DAILY DROP:
Be the first to learn about new and revised points/miles hacking news. I'm continually using Avios/Nectar points and other deals that come my way. This keeps me up to speed with what's out there. newsletter.dailydrop.com/subs...
*** MUSIC:
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com. If you are a KZbinr and you are considering using Epidemic Sound, please use this link... share.epidemicsound.com/togmw4
It costs you nothing more, but will help me level up to be an Epidemic Sound ambassador.
*** TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:55 Airport Shuttle Bus
00:04:01 Milan Malpensa Airport
00:05:08 Singapore Airlines
00:07:21 The flight
00:10:16 Arrive Barcelona
00:10:33 Conclusion

[@steve-marsh]

I used to use Singapore going to NZ and back, but like you it's been a while! Brilliant airline from memory. Love the use of steps disembarking so you can get a close up of those big ol' engines. My only question is, when you have a coffee AT cruising altitude, where do you end up?

[@hanshartfiel6394]

I guess he's close to circling the moon. :-)

[@ohheyitskevinc]

😂 the Karman line

[@SGtravelsEU]

@@hanshartfiel6394 more like closer to heaven

[@allanwilliment1029]

Yes I love Singapore airlines. Flew with them from NZ to UK, in 1989, and again decades later in 2018. Thoroughly impressed both times, and will likely use them again if I can ever get back to UK 😊 PS my profuse apologies I think I might have inadvertently hit a dislike button, but I immediately retracted that, as I realised my mistake straight away. I completely agreed with, and liked your comments 😊

[@imsbvs]

Great question, I guess to cruise at a even higher altitude is the only possible option (40,000 feet not 35,000 feet) ha ha.

[@Paralyzer]

You’re still young mate 🤙new subscriber here from Glasgow 👍🙂great channel I’m currently on the Mends recovering from cancer so I can’t travel but I get to see the world through your videos and I appreciate that

[@imsbvs]

Wish you all the best, I had chemo in 2021, now in remission and able to travel, something you can look forwards to enjoying again in the future.

[@joenke9]

imagine the shock on my face when Scott was using something else than a discount airline. finally a proper company.

[@sergejskubraks2454]

😀

[@SiegfriedDerDrachentoter]

Tbf discount airlines do the job when travelling western and Central Europe , only on longer journeys are they not up to standard

[@sergejskubraks2454]

@@SiegfriedDerDrachentoter agree 100% as from my city ryannar does for 50 euros return any point of Europe basically which is pretty much ok

[@oldmanc2]

LOL! I thought SQ had MAN-MUC 5th Freedom as well? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@irishtom]

Love seeing they s=use "Lakeland Dairies" milk sachets .. all the way from Ireland !

[@AAeolian]

flew this route in 2022. got the ticket for £45 (which was fantastic value imo considering the fact you get 2 bags not just the 1, as well as a full service and comfortable seats). glad you enjoyed it !

[@okcantbelieveit294]

The first time we traveled with our three children, 1982, we travelled from Auckland to Heathrow with Singapore Airlines via Singapore. It was a magic trip. There was a constant stream of children’s entertainment packs including snacks. Staff would come around and take the kids for walks around the 747. Our youngest daughter was just eighteen months old! They’d pick her up and carry her around the plane to give us a break. It was unbelievable.

[@user-fh4yn5bv4f]

You are great. Always so enjoy your videos!

[@brianbrown8845]

Great video Scot, can see you really enjoyed it and brought back memories for you.

[@henrimichelpierreplana4332]

So lucky, flying on an A350 ..thanks for the vid.

[@BabaYaga._13..]

Fantastic channel

[@plugsocket9432]

Interesting video and I've never heard about 5th freedom flights before. You learn something new everyday.

[@suebt8794]

Love flying with you Scott

[@phronsiekeys]

Nice day for flying!

[@oliverbrookes27]

Similar to my only Singapore airlines flight. Penang to Singapore about 20 years ago. About 50 of us with a 777 to enjoy. Reason for the huge aircraft for 90 minutes was the freight hold. It was loaded full of IBM computers.

[@r8m8s8]

Emirates and Singapore airlines are my fav airlines

[@MattNav]

Great job Scott! Always love seeing a good fifth freedom route video having somewhat recently flown on Emirates' route from Malta to Larnaca in Cyprus which was a phenomenal experience to enjoy 😊

[@brentford2]

Love this channel

[@Eurobazz]

I travelled on SQ a few times in the late 70's from LHR to SIN when it was Paya Lebar, before Changi opened. I was lucky to travel first class each time. Also, SQ had a great deal in which you could stay in BKK for a weekend at a hugely-reduced rate. Bangstop Kokovers were very popular.

[@janettesinclair6279]

Agreed, a great airline, and the cabin crew dress beautifully. The toilets are always cleaned and they have lovely toiletries. 10/10. That was an interesting wee hop across the Med, with some great views over the Alps.

[@katiemace8864]

Great video scott thank you for sharing with us ive never flown in an Aeroplane so i learn so much from your videos

[@chrisstewart6978]

Nice one, Scott...

[@470danadidas]

I love Singapore Airlines. Service is second to none. Always travel with them when i get the opportunity. Great video Scott.

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video,

[@Jimsraisedbedgarden]

Great update Scott, although I was doubting your opinion when I saw the left bottle of water and the broken seat , me and my wife love your channel so keep up the good work mate

[@robinjones6999]

Brilliant - I need to do this

[@countrytoff]

Nice one

[@peteking8063]

A wide body on a short hop, awesome!

[@seanlowe4780]

I've never been on Singapore Airlines though seeing this vid they have a retro Interior and livery which is cool great vid as always Scott 🙂

[@KennethYTLim]

welcome onboard, Scott! i am so happy you chose to fly SQ 🙂

[@colin.d]

A decent airline for once, well done!

[@tims-gy8yz]

Thanks Scott - never heard of 5th Freedom rights. An interesting strategy which makes sense. Unfortunately I rarely travel on long haul airlines these days. It’s a totally different experience, which I do miss. I think you found a gem there. Well worth the £98. It’s nice to get a different experience now and again. Fantastic video mate.

[@janetwhitten3945]

I have sailed into palomas on a cruise. Interesting seeing it from above. Great video

[@alessiofalco8550]

Thank you. 😊

[@MikeJackson1955]

You are just a big kid! Love it Scott and my wife and I are exclusive SQ folk. We go ADL/SIN, SIN/FRA, CDG back to ADL. We have done that a few times in the past few years, daytime flights to Frankfurt with a brilliant stopover in Singapore, coming and going. Only way to go! Not sure that we can get back to Europe, but living vicariously through you. Thanks mate!

[@thorsten1225]

You're so crazy in a positive sense 🥳 it's just a joy to watch. Many greetings from Germany 👋

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

Hi and thanks for your support. Many KZbinrs try to be 'normal' so they appeal to more viewers. I'm just me. Even my friends say I'm exactly the same in real life as I am on KZbin.

[@thorsten1225]

@@PlanesTrainsEverything ...this fact makes you even more likeable 😄 I'm looking forward to all the upcoming videos 👋

[@jedfazakarley8178]

Hi Scott - always enjoy your videos. Watched this one with my wife and we agreed you’d be great to travel with. Your channel is a good substitute! Keep it up: you make unique content and the journeys you make speak to me and apparently plenty of other people.

[@bedlam8159]

I totally get where you are coming from Scott , In the 1980's I took a luxury Kuoni 3 week holiday using 3 SIA flights on Boeing 747's LHR to Male in Maldives, tiny runway for a 747,14 days there on an island which was also a lay over for the crew of our next flight, the pilot co-owned the dive school Next Male to Singapore, our pilot doing a wing tip farewellsalute to his pals in a 747!!! Next Male to Singapore for a week before return to LHR which included 20 mins on the flight deck with the 3 man crew wearing their company branded sneakers A great airline

[@app2bs]

Thanks!

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

Thanks for your support. It's greatly appreciated.

[@dennismatthews6660]

Thank you.

[@mariopoliti3072]

That was a really good vlog Scott, I still rate Singapore Airlines as one of the best out there, would love to fly with them one day to experience the flight with them 👍✈️

[@killerqueen9298]

Great video, Scott. I will check your assessment on Singapore Airlines next June when I fly from Changi to Melbourne, part of a trip from Oslo, in first class then from Brisbane back to Singapore in business class then onto Oslo in first class again. Thanks for the review🙃🙂❤

[@colinwhyte3402]

Scott, probably the reason for the Schengen system roundabout, is because of the people coming from Singapore to Barcelona won't have cleared immigration in Milan. Anyway back in the early nineties I had a fifth freedom flight from Paris to London, on Cathay Pacific, with a full cooked breakfast in just under an hour's flight (Sigh, those were the days)

[@jkardez4794]

Those were legacy carriers ; today it's cattle class unless you can afford business.

[@annapurnadas27]

Wow

[@lynmcnorton9627]

I soo 💯 agree with you Singapore 🇸🇬 airlines are amazing have flown with them a few times in business class ( work ) paid for them 🥰

[@meowcel8580]

i love your channel

[@naaldwijkvrouwen1457]

I miss the 5th Freedom flight from MAD to FRA with LATAM. Those were really cheap (Business) and a great way to earn miles for your One World account.

[@kimmarsh5387]

Hi Scott welcome to the world of long-haul airlines.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

I’ve done 5th freedom flights on BA - Caribbean island hopping. Excellent way to spend not very many Avios since there’s no LHR tax.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Thanks Scott for another great video. Like you my first flights with SIA were in the early 1970s. SIN-MEL then SYD-SIN. At that time SIA was deploying ex-QF 707s and the wattle leaf images could be seen on the interior cabin walls ! Over the years SIA has been making cuts to its Y product. Low point was in 2023 when SIA trialled catering in cardboard boxes on several routes including SIN-LHR which, at that time, had expensive fares. Fortunately there was so much negative feedback from passengers that SIA abandoned the trial.

[@garymcgregor7048]

When I worked for Wilkinson sword in the early 90,s we used to make and supply razors with the emblem of Singapore Airlines. Was a dark blue.

[@RuthPettit-vy7pq]

That was really interesting . I’d love to fly on Singapore Airlines . The shots of the Alps and the Med Coast were fantastic. Hoping for clear skies when I fly to Beziers in ten days 🤞

[@ciaramc29]

Watch out, Scott is coming for the airline reviewers. Nice to have a fresh view of Singapore Airlines, I flew with them from Oska to Singapore.

[@garethsmith2250]

Real Airline video 😮

[@tw25rw]

My first flight was also on Singapore Airlines in 1975. Sydney to London via Singapore, Bangkok, Bahrain, Rome & Amsterdam.

[@stewartrivers4208]

Great vdeo Scott! Using 5th freedom flights could be a topic to explore for future videos Scott. How about a challenge, where can you get to using only 5th freedom flights?

[@soulbronumberone]

Moving up the food chain 😉

[@egpx]

I did a fifth freedom flight from EDI to DUB a few years ago with Hainan Airlines in a 787. It only took 40 minutes but it was well worth the sixty quid it cost.

[@BillCameronWC]

Singapore Airlines is certainly one of the better carriers, my experiences of it are between Singapore, Hong Kong & Indonesia. The cabin staff are always so polite, efficient and friendly.

[@simonwood3638]

Great video Scott, I've always fancied trying a 5th freedom flight but didn't realise about the passport stamps so I'll probably give it a miss, trying to preserve my passprt pages as I'm running out.

[@southernairs]

Love to experience this flight myself someday Scott, glad you got to do this! I know Singapore Airlines used to offer 5th Freedom between Munich & Manchester for a while, but unfortunately not since 2017. I think this is their only inter-EUR 5th Freedom flight at the moment as the other 5th Freedoms in Europe are Manchester-Houston and Frankfurt-New York...

[@leonb2637]

Fifth freedom flights are rare to protect local airlines. Pretty cool you could find this. You need to try to find and do some others.

[@daniel69]

Midweek GOAT

[@jamespir]

Great video Scott... always enjoyable. You don't look a day over 50. Scott. So I'm guessing you was a baby in 75.

[@WingsWheelsMore]

I did a similar flight, for the same reason, on Singapore from Munich to Manchester a few years ago, it was actually cheaper than the easyJet option but also needed a VERY early start. I agree with Scott, it was worth it.

[@dennisforner6090]

Fully agree with you about Singapore Airlines' in-flight crew - I have over the years flown with various o/s airlines & QANTAS & Singapore Airlines crew exceeded my expectations every time. In 1\\2019 my family flew to Malpensa airport having flown from Sydney to Singapore & then caught the same SA flight to Milan. Our SA flight back originated in Barcelona & at the time I didn't understand why, so thank you for clarifying the 5th freedom flight reason! Enjoy your videos & your candid comments.

[@tonychan8558]

Very interesting. I always thought it had to do with keeping flying routes and keeping a slot at the airport - use it or lose it. But their reasoning actually makes sense - get passengers from Italy and Spain, put them all onto one plane to Singapore.

[@hanshartfiel6394]

Nice video. What I found interesting is the fact that you got an exit stamp when leaving Milan. Two years ago my son got an entry stamp, which cheesed him off by the way, when we arrived at Hook of Holland but never an exit stamp. I hope we won't get any problems this year when we go to Germany.

[@Ben-xe8ps]

If you are not an EU/EEA citizen (i.e. if you are British) i believe the advice is to ensure that your passport is stamped both when entering and leaving the Schengen area. Although I have no wish to worry you and cannot comment on if your son will encounter any problems or not when entering Germany, you may wish to consider in advance how you will respond to any suggestion that he overstayed on the previous visit.

[@hanshartfiel6394]

@@Ben-xe8ps The ferry was already on the way back to the UK when we noticed that he hasn't had an exit stamp. I guess the woman at the Dutch border was perhaps a bit confused or didn't notice that we gave her a British and a German passport. Well, we'll see what is going to happen in August.

[@baseballfan99]

The only time I have been on a 5th freedom flight was also the only time I have been on a 747. It was with United from Singapore to Hong Kong back in 2007 but it was a great price though the food was average.

[@richardcarlson8045]

Did Singapore awhile back from Manchester to Munich as a fifth freedom flight. You may want to look at Ethiopian between Oslo and Stockholm as a fifth freedom flight at Ryanair prices. Emirates also do Cyprus to Malta that might be worth a look. Latam used to fly Frankfurt to Madrid but not looked to see if it still operates. Got a KLM fifth freedom planned for later in the year and also the Emirates BKK-HKG (done it previously in eco for about a hundred quid)

[@anderslarsen6009]

Ethiopian also does Copenhagen Vienna.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Sadly SQ's MAN-MUC flight was axed some time ago.

[@Aberdeen-mf6mv]

Flew a fair few time Manchester to Houston with Singapore Airlines, great food. Economy decent seat pitch also

[@cliveroberts415]

My second ever flight was with Singapore Airlines in 1980 from London to Bangkok (First flight was with the now defunct BWIA). Ironicly I flew to Singapore a few years back on Malaysia airways operated by KLM. I agree Singapore airlines are a fantastic airline and its nice to see the female cabin crew still wear those lovely sarongs.

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always!! Are there other places in Europe that Singapore airlines operates 5th freedom flights?? The only one that I know about is Manchester to Houston. Hope all is well, take care

[@Jacko89]

Singapore still top of the pile for me

[@johnbowyer6902]

It does look like a great airline, Scott. That built-in mirror on the tray table does not face the passenger that I can tell; you have to look down on it. Ummm!😅😊

[@highlandersixtysix]

Ahhhh.... Yes! My first ever flight in 1st Class was on Singapore Airlines from LHR to SIN and back, from that point onwards everything was compared to Singapore and, to this day, as much as I love the Emirates 1st product, nothing compares to Singapore for product quality. Talking of 5th Freedom Flights, Emirates to Milan to JFK - you should give that a go.

[@dsracoon]

Great video Scott. The passport thing makes sense if it's a triangular flight (edit: it isn't) so for example if you leave from Milan, you exit Schengen and do Barcelona then Singapore without leaving the plane. But oh well, another stamp I guess. Coming from Ryanair I'm sure Singapore is a top shelf experience.

[@peterworsley]

And the fact the passengers from Singapore stay on the plane at Milan the flight would still be classed as a non EU flight

[@EpicThe112]

Like it by the way they also operate Singapore to Houston George Bush 41 Airport stopping in Manchester ringway in both directions. Another one is Singapore to JFK terminal 4 via Frankfurt. Both are actually timed 2 to 3 hours for a connecting flight from Manila Philippines Terminal 3

[@sergejskubraks2454]

yes I am thinking about this flight years still did not manage to get it 😅

[@yyyfffff33333]

My favourite airline is the cheapest ! As long as I don't get a DVT , I'm happy !

[@richardstreet7518]

Just priced up a return from BCN.. e142 so could be a good option ...

[@erik_griswold]

5th Freedoms are rarer and rarer now due to aircraft ranges. I was lucky enough to fly on CX from YVR to JFK round trip about 20 years ago. And even though the normal practice is to pre-clear US Border formalities at the Canadian Airport, we flew to JFK and entered the USA there.

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

Scott there is another freedom flight with ethiopian airlines between geneva and manchester also singapore fly from manchester to houston.

[@michaelowen4331]

I've flown Singapore on a fifth freedom flight from Manchester to Houston back in 2017. The return cost in economy came to £252 which was absolutely insane. Even now I think it's one of the most affordable ways to get over into the US from the UK.

[@smoothmicra]

We are all different, so while I find the idea of embarking on these trips to see little or nothing unappealing, I find them strangely compelling. I haven't even had a passport for at least ten years so go figure. Keep it up chap. My advice - less coffee, maybe more a cheeky dram from a hip flask. I guarantee you will sleep a lot more! Aqua vitae!

[@tylerharrington9343]

Thought we might finally see you splash the cash and try out business on this short route! Great video regardless.

[@sojourn6697]

I too was smitten with Singapore Airlines until my last flights with them last year. We travelled return Christchurch (CHC) to London. Gone are the nice little touches such as hot towels and amenity bags when you board. On the return trip from London to Singapore the seat I was sitting in didn’t recline nor the empty seat between my partner and me. I brought it to the attention of the cabin crew who did shift me and I ended up sitting next to an irate passenger who thought he had two seats to himself. Not the crews fault about my neighbours attitude though. On the league up to Singapore from Christchurch although the crew were good I felt they were short staffed and over worked. There were other things too. Singapore Airlines have dropped the ball from my earlier experiences and have just become another cattle class carrier. Other people who fly with them I know have similar sentiments.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Good points. Like all airlines worldwide SIA has made cuts to its Y class product ..and I speak as someone who first took SIA soon after its launch in the 1970s. One good feature however is that SIA retains 3-3-3 Y seating in its 777s whereas most other 777 operators have gone 3-4-3.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@jkardez4794 Yes LCCs in have captured much traffic but as I said above they *tend* not to serve major hub airports. What proof do you have that "legacy carriers like CathayPacific, Lufthansa and Swiss are foundering" ? My comments referred to aviation in Europe and not Asia.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@jkardez4794 So much for Lufthansa and Swiss "founderimg" as you claim. Lufthansa Group's 2023 Annual report says "Lufthansa Group generated the third-best financial result ..." Where are you located ? Do you understand aviation in Europe ? I say that because Lufthansa Group, whether or not it is profitable, will always get government support ... as would Air France/KLM.

[@duncolm2249]

That's a lot cheaper than a Glasgow to Heathrow shuttle these days...

[@anthonysheppard5116]

IMHO Singapore Airlines are better than emirates and Qatar, as they haven’t crammed 10 abreast in the back of the 777-300ER like EY & QR have. Flew Singapore in 2018 Melbourne-Singapore-London and back Amsterdam-Singapore-Melbourne and it was wonderful compared to the other 2 airlines you compared Singapore to.

[@louisjadot9194]

A travel rep nearly missing the Bus 🤣😂

[@KeithApp]

I flew Singapore Airlines between Manchester and Houston TX in 2019 (pre-pandemic so not sure if they still operate that route). Such outstanding service. Way better than the US and European carriers.

[@EpicThe112]

They still do operate that as SQ051/052 as a matter of fact there are blogs on the Texas end all the way from Houston to Manila via Singapore and Manchester. Although some of them don't go that way instead they take the much shorter Houston Taipei Manila on Eva Air (🇹🇼🇭🇰 spelling 長榮航空)

[@essmbee63]

You can fly with Singapore between Manchester and Houston.

[@MichaelGGarry]

Living in Singapore, SIA are by far my favourite airline, never had a bad flight with them ever. However, these days their prices to the UK are ridiculous - literally twice the price of Emirates or Qatar in economy!

[@plasticscouser3791]

From MXP u can fly to NY - JFK with Emirates on a A380 this is a daily year-round service flights during DST depart around 4pm local time . Christy 🇮🇪/🇵🇹 👍

[@marcd6897]

Also from Frankfurt to NYC on SQ, sadly it’s only a 777 these days, it used to be a A380 up until early last year.

[@hufjournallife7218]

Tshirt greyhound bus logo

[@imsbvs]

Scott, that sneeze, awful, I recently flew London Gatwick to Milan Linate (LGW to LIN) and managed to pick up a cold, thankfully not COVID, (I still test owing to being immune compromised, living with lymphoma), it took a couple of days to develop and a week later still not fully recovered. Such is life.

[@Thailandescapades]

They are the pinnacle of airlines… way better than Etihad and emirates imo

[@raybrown2197]

You can fly SIA from MAN to IAH on another 5th freedom flight

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Or how about FRA-JFK.

[@mats7492]

that passport situation is quite weird.. i wonder why they do it that way..

[@epender]

So that the people coming from Singapore don't have to leave the plane, wait to go through passport control, then queue to enter the plane again. (I know this is essentially how it would work when transferring flights, but it wouldn't make sense to do this when people are staying on the same plane!) The second leg of the flight isn't really intended for short haul travel, they're just selling the empty seats from the passengers who left at Milan because they may as well.

[@jimbles5071]

Where was my factoid!?

[@davoman1231]

Ryanair have alot of 5th freedom flights then as an Irish airline

[@epender]

EU airlines are legally able to fly within other EU countries without restrictions non-EU airlines would face so I don't think this technically counts as a fifth freedom, unless I'm wrong. This is related to why Ryanair UK was founded in 2019 as it was expected that EU airlines could no longer operate domestic flights within the UK and vice versa.