Finnair

As the national flag carrier of Finland, Finnair is renowned for its strategic focus on connecting Europe and Asia via the shortest and most environmentally efficient Northern routes. Based in Helsinki, we offer a seamless travel experience characterized by Nordic design, a commitment to sustainability, and the warm, efficient service of the North.

Our Story: A Century of Pioneering Nordic Aviation

Finnair’s journey began on November 1, 1923, when it was founded as Aero O/Y by Bruno Lucander. Initially operating with a single Junkers F 13 seaplane, the airline played a crucial role in connecting Finland to Europe, adapting to the challenging Nordic climate by using skis in winter and floats in summer. Early routes included mail service to Tallinn and passenger flights to Stockholm in cooperation with Swedish ABA.

The airline’s growth was marked by significant milestones. In 1946, the Finnish State acquired a majority holding, solidifying Aero’s role as the national airline. The 1960s saw Aero enter the jet age with Caravelle aircraft, and in 1968, the company officially changed its name to Finnair, along with unveiling its iconic blue and white livery.

A key turning point came in 1983 when Finnair became the first airline to offer non-stop flights between Western Europe and Japan, flying over the North Pole. This pioneering approach established Finnair’s unique geographical advantage and its reputation for efficient East-West connections. Finnair also gained the title of “Official Airline of Santa Claus,” fostering a special connection to the magic of Finland.

Throughout the decades, Finnair has continued to innovate, becoming the first European airline to order the Airbus A350 XWB in 2005 and joining the oneworld alliance in 1999, further expanding its global reach. Today, Finnair leverages its Helsinki hub to serve as a vital link between continents, committed to a sustainable future for aviation.

Leadership and Ownership

Finnair Oyj (Finnair Plc) is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (FIA1S). While it operates as a commercial entity, the Finnish State remains the majority shareholder, currently holding over 55% of the company’s shares. This ownership structure underscores Finnair’s role as a strategic national asset for Finland.

Mr. Topi Manner serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Finnair, guiding the airline’s strategy for maintaining its competitive edge in the Asia-Europe traffic, investing in customer experience, and leading the way in sustainable aviation. The airline’s headquarters are located at Helsinki Airport in Vantaa.

Our Fleet: Modernity, Nordic Comfort, and Efficiency

Finnair operates a modern and highly efficient fleet, primarily consisting of Airbus aircraft for its mainline operations, complemented by regional jets for domestic and shorter European routes. The airline has a strong focus on fuel efficiency and enhancing passenger comfort through its cabin products. The fleet includes:

Airbus A350-900: These state-of-the-art wide-body aircraft are the flagship of Finnair’s long-haul fleet, offering superior fuel efficiency (producing 25% fewer emissions than previous-generation aircraft), a quiet cabin, and a modern passenger experience. They feature Finnair’s award-winning new Business Class (with the unique AirLounge seat) and Premium Economy cabins.
Airbus A330-300: These versatile wide-body aircraft also serve long-haul international routes and have been refurbished with the same new Business Class and Premium Economy cabins as the A350s, ensuring a consistent premium experience.
Airbus A321-200, A320-200, A319-100: These narrow-body aircraft form the backbone of Finnair’s European and domestic network, offering comfortable and efficient service across shorter distances.
Embraer E190 and ATR 72-500: These regional jets are operated by Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra), a partner airline, under the Finnair brand, providing crucial connectivity for domestic Finnish routes and regional European destinations.

Finnair maintains a clear strategy for fleet modernization, ensuring it operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in Europe, which is central to its sustainability goals. Finnair Cargo utilizes the belly capacity of its passenger fleet, especially the A350s and A330s, for global freight operations.

Connecting the World: Helsinki as Your Northern Gateway

Helsinki Airport (HEL) serves as Finnair’s sole and strategic hub, uniquely positioned as the fastest and most direct route between many major European cities and key destinations in Asia. This geographical advantage minimizes flight times and fuel consumption, offering a smooth and efficient transit experience.

From Helsinki, Finnair offers a comprehensive network:

Extensive Asia Network: A strong focus on connecting Europe to major cities across Asia, including Japan (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka), South Korea (Seoul), China (Shanghai, Guangzhou), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi), and India (Delhi, Mumbai). This has been a cornerstone of Finnair’s strategy for decades.
Growing North American Network: Direct flights to key cities across the United States (including New York, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle) and Canada (Vancouver, Toronto).
Comprehensive European Network: Flights to numerous capitals and major cities across Europe, providing excellent connectivity for both business and leisure travelers.
Domestic Finnish Network: Essential flights connecting Helsinki to various cities and regions within Finland, including popular destinations in Finnish Lapland like Rovaniemi and Kittilä, catering to both locals and international tourists seeking Arctic experiences.

Finnair’s operations are designed for highly efficient transfers at Helsinki Airport, consistently ranking among the best airports for transit passengers.

Your Journey, Your Rewards: Finnair Plus

Finnair Plus is Finnair’s loyalty program, designed to reward frequent travelers with benefits that enhance their journey and offer valuable opportunities. The program operates with two key currencies:

Avios: The reward currency earned on Finnair flights (based on spend), partner airline flights, and through a wide array of non-airline partners (e.g., credit cards, hotels, car rentals, Finnair Shop). Avios can be redeemed for Finnair award flights, cabin upgrades, travel extras, and partner services. Finnair Plus members can also link their Avios account with British Airways Executive Club to transfer Avios between the two programs.
Tier Points: Earned primarily from eligible flights, these points determine your membership status within Finnair Plus.

The Finnair Plus program features five membership tiers, each offering increasing benefits:

Basic: The entry-level tier, providing basic membership benefits and the ability to earn and use Avios.
Silver: Offers benefits like priority check-in, an extra checked bag, discounted lounge access, and complimentary internet for messaging on European flights.
Gold: Provides full lounge access (Finnair Business Lounges at Helsinki Airport and oneworld lounges), priority security, complimentary seat selection, and additional baggage allowances.
Platinum: Enjoys access to the exclusive Finnair Platinum Wing and Platinum Corner lounges at Helsinki, enhanced upgrade benefits, complimentary sports equipment carriage, and more.
Platinum Lumo: The highest tier, designed for Finnair’s most frequent flyers, offering a truly premium and personalized experience with unparalleled benefits.

Finnair Plus also provides “Lifetime” status tiers for members who accumulate a significant number of tier points over their entire membership, offering permanent elite benefits.