There’s a new way to get to Europe with Finland-based carrier Finnair launching flights to Australia for the first time.
The airline will fly its Airbus A350 aircraft daily to Helsinki from Melbourne via Bangkok starting today.
Flight AY146 departed the Victorian capital for the first time at 3.40pm, will arrive into Bangkok at 8.50pm and then Helsinki at 6.05am the following day.
The return flight AY145 will leave Helsinki just after midnight, stop in Bangkok at 4.30pm and land in Melbourne at 7.15am the following morning.
Melbourne Airport said the launch meant Melbourne was the only Australian city to be served by an airline from the European Union.
An average daily international flight is worth $190 million to the state’s economy.
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Point Hacks editor-in-chief Brandon Loo has flown Finnair internationally and domestically across business class and economy multiple times.
He told news.com.au Helsinki is a useful gateway into Europe, particularly for Australians heading to Northern Europe or looking to connect onwards across the continent without needing to backtrack from London.
“While not quite necessarily at the same level of the ‘mega carriers’ such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates, Finnair offers something a little different from the usual Australia-to-Europe experience,” he said. (Emirates started flying from Dubai to Helsinki on October 1 on its A350).
“Its cabin design has a distinctly Nordic feel, with clean lines, calming colours and a focus on making the space feel comfortable rather than overly flashy.”
Finnair’s vice president of global sales Pasi Kuusisto told news.com.au Australian customers could connect onwards to about 90 destinations from Helsinki, with particularly great connectivity to the famous Lapland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland.
The airline is benefiting from an increase in demand from Aussies who are looking to fly to Europe via Asia rather than the Middle East during the Iran war, he said.
Finnair’s unusual business class seats
Finnair business class seats are particularly unique, with Mr Loo describing them as “one of the most innovative products out there”.
“Unlike most business class seats, it doesn’t recline in the traditional sense. Instead, it has a fixed, oversized sofa design with two plush cushions that lets you sit or lounge as you would at home,” he explained.
“When it’s time to sleep, a panel folds up to create a flat surface and the seat converts into a flat bed with a mattress pad.
“That sounds unusual at first, but it gives you a lot of flexibility in how you use the space. The wide seat is great if you like to sit cross-legged, work on your laptop or relax in a more informal position.
“But it’s not necessarily going to suit everyone, particularly if you prefer a conventional reclining seat with a privacy door. It’s very much a ‘love it or hate it’ affair.”
Mr Kuusisto described the seats as “like a cuckoo’s nest”, with the design inspired by the airline’s lounge furniture.
“Instead of the seat determining how to sit, you can use the space as you wish,” he said.
“It’s also very Nordic in its design. It’s simple, functional and it’s focused on comfort.
“Because the materials are soft it dampens the noise around you.”
Mr Loo said some Aussies may have already experienced the seat without having ever booked a Finnair flight because Qantas uses two Airbus A330 jets leased from Finnair on routes such as Sydney-Singapore and Sydney-Honolulu.
“While this isn’t the same as the A350 jets that will fly from Melbourne to Helsinki, the interiors are very similar with the same types of economy, premium economy and business class AirLounge seats,” he said.
The airline’s signature drink is blueberry juice, which is available across all cabins.
Booking Finnair with points
Finnair is part of the Oneworld Alliance, which means Australians can earn and use Qantas points when travelling on Finnair, along with Avios and points from many other partner airlines.
Mr Loo said, “In fact, using Qantas points for Finnair business class is one of the best reward options for savvy frequent flyers, because Finnair doesn’t charge much in fees and taxes”.
He gave the example of a business class reward seat from Singapore to Helsinki for 13.5 hours only costing 108,000 Qantas points and around $131 in fees and taxes per person.
What to expect in Finland
Finland is famously known as one of the happiest countries in the world.
“But don’t expect them to hand out free hugs,” Morten Stausholm, Intrepid Travel’s operations manager for Northern Europe, told news.com.au.
“They tend to be reserved, value personal space and appreciate a calm, balanced lifestyle,” the former trip leader said.
“Show genuine interest in local customs, from sauna culture to winter sports, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect. Sharing local food and drinks is another great way to break the ice.”
The Finnish concept of sisu is about resilience and stoic determination, and Mr Stausholm believes it sums up their character perfectly: “calm on the surface, tough as nails underneath”.
What to do in Helsinki
Mr Stausholm says getting involved in sauna culture while visiting Helenski is a must.
He recommends a visit to Sompasauna, a public sauna next to the sea.
For food, he suggests stopping by Hakaniemi Market Hall.
“Try Lohikeitto, a creamy salmon soup with vegetables, or if you’re after something sweet, try a Finnish cinnamon bun; Korvapuusti,” he said.
“For a local drink, try lonkero, a refreshing gin-and-grapefruit long drink created for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.”
Finland is known for its quirky sporting events like air guitar, wife-carrying and mobile-phone throwing championships so look out for those too, he said.
For sightseeing in Helenski, Mr Stausholm recommends wandering through Puu-Vallila, “a charming neighbourhood known for its traditional wooden houses”.
“Admire the iconic Helsinki Cathedral and visit the rock-carved Temppeliaukio Church. Then, take a short ferry ride to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
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