Finnair Starts Daily Melbourne Flights via Bangkok
Finnair's first own-aircraft service to Australia landed in Melbourne on Monday, offering its AirLounge business class and a link to Helsinki and about 90 European destinations.
Finnair's inaugural flight AY145 arrived at Melbourne Airport on Monday 26 October. It is the first time the airline has flown to Australia with its own aircraft and airline code. The daily Airbus A350 service links Melbourne with Bangkok and Helsinki, with onward connections to around 90 European destinations.
Passengers can choose between business class, Premium Economy and Economy. Finnair's business class, AirLounge, is a fixed, contoured shell meant to feel more like a lounge than a traditional seat. It converts into a fully flat bed.
Thailand and Europe
Fifth-freedom traffic rights let passengers book Melbourne to Bangkok on Finnair without continuing to Finland. That gives Australians another option for getting to Thailand.
Melbourne becomes the only Australian city served by an airline from the European Union. The route is expected to add an estimated $190 million a year to Victoria's economy.
What officials said
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus welcomed the arrival. "Finnair has today joined a long list of the world's top airlines in making Melbourne its Australian gateway, and we're proud to see the blue and white tail on our tarmac," she said. She described Finnair as one of the world's oldest and most respected airlines, and called Helsinki one of Europe's most convenient transit points.
Finnair chief revenue officer Christine Rovelli called the launch "an important milestone for us, bringing Finnair's own flights to Australia for the first time and creating a new daily connection between Melbourne, Finland and the rest of Europe". She said the airline was "equally excited to bring more European travellers to Melbourne and Victoria".
Finnair also holds the title of official airline of Santa Claus, with year-round connections through Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. Melbourne Airport, for its part, is preparing for more international growth, including a planned third runway and a $4.5 billion international terminal expansion.
Source: Travel Weekly