An interesting new fifth freedom flight from Singapore was announced today by Dubai-based Emirates, with the carrier revealing that it will be returning to four times daily Dubai – Singapore services, with a new option extending to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

The route, set to launch on 1st May 2024, will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER. That means the addition of closed-door Suites in First Class and lie-flat beds in Business Class on this 2-hour flight.

“The resumption of our Phnom Penh services demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our Southeast Asian network, as we continue to create more opportunities for travellers to explore diverse and culturally rich destinations, and help businesses and exporters of all sizes establish stronger trade connections.

“We thank the Cambodian and Singaporean authorities for their support in establishing this new route. We look forward to re-introducing our customers to yet another vibrant destination on our network as they explore the world.”

Adnan Kazim, CCO, Emirates

Prior to COVID-19, Emirates operated to and from Phnom Penh via Bangkok, so it’s interesting that Singapore has now been chosen instead.

This will be Emirates’ second “fifth freedom” flight from Singapore, with the carrier already operating a daily Melbourne service.

Emirates proposed a Singapore – Penang “fifth freedom” link back in April 2020, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put pay to those plans.

The schedule

Here’s how Emirates will be launching this new service to Dubai and Phnom Penh from May 2024.

Dubai Singapore Phnom Penh
From 1st May 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	EK348 777-300ER
DXB 02:30		SIN 14:05
Duration: 07:35
	EK348 777-300ER
SIN 15:35		PNH 16:35
Duration: 02:00
	EK349 777-300ER
PNH 20:50		SIN 23:50
Duration: 02:00
	EK349 777-300ER
SIN 01:40		DXB 04:55
Duration: 07:15

The timing of this service is conducive to taking a half day off work, especially on a Friday for example, then arriving in Phnom Penh in time for dinner.

On the way back to Singapore, you can maximise your last day in Phnom Penh with an 8.50pm departure, landing back just before midnight, though of course you may stuck be without a hotel room from around lunchtime.

Which seats?

Emirates operates its 3-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in five different configurations.

• 354 seats (new First / new Business)
• 354 seats (old First / old Business)
• 356 seats (old First / new Business)
• 360 seats* (old First / old Business)
• 428 seats (no First / old Business)

* No crew rest installed

The airline has planned its sub-fleet with 360 seats featuring the older cabin products for this Phnom Penh Route.

The aircraft is laid out with 8 closed-door First Class Suites, 42 Business Class lie-flat seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 310 Economy Class seats in a mostly 3-4-3 configuration.

You can view the seat map for this variant at the excellent aeroLOPA site here.

Not all the capacity will be for the Singapore – Phnom Penh – Singapore sectors of course, with Emirates hoping for a large number of customers flying all the way to and from Dubai (and in that case mostly connecting to other cities on its network, such as European ports).

For example the airline is offering only four First Class seats for sale on each SIN-PNH flight at this stage, in the expectation that the other four seats will be needed for long-haul passengers connecting through its Dubai hub.

Award space on this route using Emirates Skywards miles or Qantas Frequent Flyer points are not loaded at the time of writing, but will inevitably become available in due course for those looking to redeem.

Occasionally one of the 12 newer 777-300ERs with a crew rest compartment (but not the new First Class Suite) are substituted on Emirates’ Boeing 777 flights, and these have the new Business Class cabin. You’ll be able to tell the difference only from the Economy Class seat map, which has four fewer seats (50 DEFG are missing).

These aircraft may pop up on the Dubai – Singapore – Phnom Penh flights (as do occasionally on other Singapore – Dubai services), but this is not planned and would therefore be a short term operational change.

Unfortunately, Emirates currently has no plans to fly its new fully-enclosed Suites product (see our review) on its Singapore routes, like it did during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singapore lounge

In Singapore, eligible passengers flying to or from Phnom Penh will be directed to use the Emirates combined First and Business Class lounge, located near the C gates in Terminal 1 (right next door to the brand new Qatar lounge).

The Emirates lounge was refurbished in 2017 with a slightly more contemporary look, and is open daily during the following hours:

• 6.35am – 10:10am
• 5.00pm – 0.30am

When the Singapore – Penang “fifth freedom” route was proposed in 2020, a 12.35pm to 3.35pm opening window was set to be added, so we expect a similar lunchtime opening window will be established for this new Phnom Penh flight.

Those flying First Class on Emirates will no doubt want to spend some time in the (truly excellent) Qantas Singapore First Lounge, but unfortunately it opens at 3pm each day, so it won’t really be possible to use it prior to this Phnom Penh flight, unless you suffer a (potentially welcome) departure delay.

Who else flies to Phnom Penh?

There are already 36 flights per week programmed in May 2024 between Singapore and Phnom Penh, not including these additional seven times weekly Emirates flights.

• Cambodia Airways: 10 per week
• Jetstar: 7 per week
• Singapore Airlines: 19 per week

That puts Emirates up against a mixture of full-service and low-cost competition in the Economy Class cabin, which you’ll likely see reflecting in the fares on offer.

In Economy Class, you’ll benefit from complimentary food and beverages, 30kg baggage allowance, and free Wi-Fi when flying with Emirates, compared with a low-cost alternative to or from Phnom Penh like Jetstar.

This will also be the only wide-body passenger service between Singapore and Phnom Penh, which Emirates notes will allow over 20 tonnes of cargo on each flight – an important revenue driver.

The only other airline operating between Phnom Penh and the Middle East is Qatar Airways, with a daily Doha service operating via Ho Chi Minh City.

A very interesting new fifth freedom route for our Singapore-based readers, with Emirates launching a daily connection to and from Phnom Penh from May 2024.

This new service will definitely suit those who can take a half day of leave and maximise a short break in the city.

The new route closely mirror’s the airline’s plan to operate Dubai – Singapore – Penang flights back in 2020, which never launched due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let’s hope this time it actually takes off!

(Cover Photo: Boeing)