Among the world’s oldest continuously operating airlines, Finnair has established itself as not only Finland’s national carrier but also as an innovative force in the global aviation industry. With a rich history spanning a century and a strategic focus on connecting Europe and Asia through its Helsinki hub, Finnair continues to evolve while facing modern challenges with sustainable solutions.
History and Origins
Finnair’s story began on September 12, 1923, when a charter establishing the company was signed in Helsinki. Officially registered as Aero O/Y on November 1, 1923, the airline entered the trade register on December 11 of that year. The company was founded by consul Bruno Lucander, who had previously managed the Finnish operations of Estonian airline Aeronaut. Lucander formed an agreement with Junkers Flugzeugwerke AG to provide aircraft and technical support in exchange for a 50% ownership stake in the new airline.
The first commercial flight took place on March 20, 1924, when a Junkers F.13 aircraft equipped with floats carried passengers from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia. During these early days, the airline operated as a seaplane service, as there were no commercial airfields on land in Finland at the time. All flights departed from downtown Helsinki, specifically from Katajanokka by the harbor. In its inaugural year, Aero carried a modest 269 passengers.
The seaplane era came to an end in 1936 following the construction of Finland’s first aerodromes. World War II proved challenging for the airline, with half of its fleet requisitioned by the Finnish Air Force. During the Winter War of 1939-1940, approximately half of the airline’s passengers from other Finnish cities were children being evacuated to Sweden.
Post-war, the Finnish government acquired a 70% majority stake in the company in 1946 and re-established services to Europe in November 1947, initially using Douglas DC-3 aircraft. In 1953, the airline began branding itself as Finnair in its advertising and on aircraft, though the official name change to Finnair Oy wasn’t formalized until June 25, 1968.
Throughout the decades, Finnair achieved numerous milestones. The airline joined the jet age in 1961 with the addition of Caravelles to its fleet. In 1969, it launched its first transatlantic flights to New York. In 1983, Finnair made history by operating the first non-stop flight from Western Europe to Japan, using a specially modified McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30ER aircraft to fly over the North Pole, thus avoiding Soviet airspace.
Fleet and Operations
Finnair currently operates a modern fleet consisting of over 70 aircraft, primarily Airbus models. The company’s flagship aircraft is the Airbus A350-900, which offers improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort. The airline took delivery of its first A350 on October 7, 2015, becoming the third airline globally to operate this advanced aircraft type.
As of 2025, the fleet includes:
- Airbus A350-900s for long-haul routes
- Airbus A330-300s for long-haul services
- Airbus A321s for European routes
- Airbus A320s for short and medium-haul operations
- Airbus A319s completing the narrow-body fleet
Additionally, Finnair’s regional operations are conducted by Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra), which is 40% owned by Finnair. Norra operates ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft and Embraer E190 jets, all wearing Finnair livery. These smaller aircraft serve domestic routes within Finland and connect to nearby Nordic and Baltic destinations.
Finnair has announced plans to invest in fleet modernization between 2020-2025, with an estimated €4 billion allocated for fleet renewal. The airline is evaluating options for replacing its aging Airbus A320 family aircraft with either Airbus A320neo family or Boeing 737 MAX new-generation aircraft.
Hub and Destinations
Helsinki Airport (HEL) serves as Finnair’s main hub and operational base. The airline has strategically positioned itself as providing the shortest route between Europe and Asia, leveraging Helsinki’s geographic location. However, the closure of Russian airspace in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced the airline to reroute some Asian flights, increasing flight times and operational costs.
Finnair serves approximately 70 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America. The network includes:
- Europe: Extensive coverage of major European cities with over 40 destinations
- Asia: About 20 destinations including Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Singapore
- North America: Cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and Seattle
- Middle East: Destinations including Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Eilat
The airline operates over 100 weekly frequencies to Asia during peak seasons, with Japan representing Finnair’s largest Asian market in terms of passenger numbers. For its European operations, Finnair primarily deploys its Airbus A320 family aircraft, though some daily services to London and Amsterdam are operated using the Airbus A350.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1923 (as Aero O/Y)
- First flight: March 20, 1924 (Helsinki to Tallinn)
- Headquarters: Vantaa, Finland (on the grounds of Helsinki Airport)
- CEO: Turkka Kuusisto
- Ownership: State of Finland holds 55.9% of shares
- IATA Code: AY (from “Aero Osake-yhtiö”)
- ICAO Code: FIN
- Alliance: oneworld (joined in 1999)
- Employees: Approximately 5,325 (as of 2022)
- Passengers: About 2.9 million (2022, reduced from pre-pandemic levels)
- Fleet size: Over 70 aircraft
- Subsidiaries: 40% stake in Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra)
- Last fatal accident: 1963 (the airline has one of the best safety records in the industry)
Contact Information
For customers needing to reach Finnair, several contact options are available:
General Customer Service (USA):
- Phone: +1-877-757-7143 (toll-free, 24/7)
- New York: +1-929-474-6049
- Los Angeles: +1-323-694-7646
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat-Sun 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
International Booking and Information:
- Phone: +358 300 871 160 (€1.70/answered call + local network charge)
Media Inquiries:
- Email: comms@finnair.com
Social Media:
- Twitter/X: @Finnair
- Facebook: /Finnair
- Instagram: @feelfinnair
Customers can also reach Finnair through their chatbot “Sisu” or via the Finnair mobile app, which offers real-time flight information, mobile boarding passes, and a digital Finnair Plus loyalty card.
Future Outlook and Sustainability
Finnair has placed sustainability at the core of its strategy moving forward. In October 2024, the airline announced a science-based target to reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 34.5% by 2033, using 2023 as a baseline year. This ambitious goal has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and translates to an estimated 13% reduction in absolute CO2e emissions.
The airline had previously set a target of carbon neutrality by 2045, but has recently adjusted this to align with the wider aviation industry goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This adjustment reflects the challenges faced by the airline since its original target was set in 2019, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace.
Finnair’s sustainability strategy includes several key initiatives:
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Increasing investment in SAF beyond regulatory requirements. The airline has established partnerships with Neste, a Finland-based producer of sustainable aviation fuels refined from waste. Over half of Finnair’s targeted CO2e reduction is expected to come from increasing SAF usage.
- Operational Efficiency: Implementing fuel-efficient flight planning, reducing aircraft weight, and optimizing flight operations. Simple practices like single-engine taxiing, optimized flight plans, and continuous descent approach (CDA) landings all contribute to reducing fuel consumption.
- Network Optimization: Revising routes to maximize efficiency, particularly following the closure of Russian airspace.
- Fleet Renewal: Planning for the replacement of older aircraft with more fuel-efficient models.
- Waste Reduction: Committing to reduce food waste by 10% per prepared food portion by the end of 2025 compared to 2022 levels, and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
As Finnair navigates its second century of operations, the airline faces the dual challenge of rebuilding after the COVID-19 pandemic and adapting to a changed geopolitical landscape. However, with its strong Nordic heritage, focus on sustainability, and strategic position connecting Europe and Asia, Finnair continues to play a significant role in global aviation while embracing the responsibilities of contemporary air travel.
Keyword: TopAirlines