The Essentials

Unlock Hidden Travel Savings with Sixth Freedom Flights

If you think the best way to get between two points on an airline flight is always a straight line and a nonstop flight, you might want to make an exception for something called a Sixth Freedom Flight.

It’s an international agreement between countries that allows an airline not based in Country A to fly you through their country to another country where they also aren’t based.

For example, Air Canada offers a flight from Montreal to Tokyo, but savvy American travelers often fly from the U.S. to Montreal first, then connect nonstop to Tokyo.

These flights are often less crowded, have better service, and cost less—and you don’t need to go through customs to change planes.