Finnair (Helsinki) is increasing the number of flights it operates to London Heathrow from Helsinki from four to five times daily. Effective March 30, 2014, flight AY 995 departs Helsinki at 4:25 P.M. (1625) for arrival in London three hours later at 5:30 P.M. (1730), while AY 996 departs London at 7:35 P.M. (1935) and arrives in Helsinki at 12:30 A.M. (0030). The new frequency will be flown primarily with Finnair’s new Airbus A321 aircraft, which are equipped with fuel-efficient Sharklet wingtip devices and operate within Heathrow’s strictest noise parameters.

In addition to its own five daily frequencies, Finnair offers two daily codeshare roundtrips operated by fellow oneworld partner British Airways.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 D-AZAO with Sharklets became OH-LZG (msn 5758) on September 5, 2013.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) will begin operating nonstop scheduled flights between Helsinki and Miami, Florida once again. The new seasonal flight, operating from December 16, 2014 until March 21, 2015, will feature Airbus A340-300 aircraft in a two-class Business and Economy cabin configuration.

Flight AY 7 will leave Helsinki (HEL) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:55 am (0955) for arrival in Miami (MIA) at 2:05 pm (1405). AY 8 departs Miami at 4:00 pm (1600). for arrival in Helsinki at 8:50 am (0850). the next day. The flight lasts approximately 11 hours outbound (HEL-MIA) while the return journey takes less than 10 hours (MIA-HEL).  Starting from January 3, 2015, the service moves to three times weekly with an additional frequency on Saturdays.

The route between Helsinki and Miami International Airport will be included in the joint business on transatlantic traffic with oneworld alliance partners American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. This gives customers the possibility to mix and match flights on the different carriers for the best pricing and scheduling options. For example, an itinerary could include a nonstop flight to Miami in one direction, but a connecting flight through New York, Madrid or London in the other, if the timing is more convenient. Finnair’s cooperation with the three other carriers also means that Miami is yet another gateway to dozens more North American destinations.

Finnair previously served Miami with seasonal flights utilizing Boeing 757-200s, McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s and MD-11s.

Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-313X OH-LQG (msn 174) taxies at Frankfurt.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) will increase its number of flights to Thailand for next winter. From December 30, 2014 to March 27, 2015 Finnair will supplement its double-daily winter service to Bangkok with three additional frequencies per week. The extra flights bring the number of Finnair’s peak-season weekly Bangkok services to 17, the most frequencies of any European carrier.

The additional flights are scheduled to depart on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings. Flight AY 091 departs Helsinki Airport (HEL) at 8:15 P.M. (2015) for arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) at 11:00 A.M. (1100) the next day. Flight AY 092 leaves Bangkok on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12:45 P.M. (1245) for arrival in Helsinki at 6:55 P.M. (1855). The new evening frequencies, operated with Airbus A340 aircraft in a two-class Business and Economy configuration, offer excellent connections with other cities in Finland, Scandinavia, France and Germany. Together with the daily Bangkok flights AY 089 (departure at 4:40 PM) and AY 095 (6:30 PM), the three extra flights constitute an intensive traffic program giving passengers a wide range of choices and increased connectivity throughout Finnair’s network.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-313X OH-LQD (msn 921) in the special Unikko floral print (1964) design taxies at Toronto (Pearson).

Finnair: 

Finnair’s (Helsinki) flights to Tokyo and New York will feature aircraft equipped with full-flat seats available in Business Class. Additionally, Finnair will offer full-flat seats on flights to Beijing beginning on May 1, 2014 and as of June 1, 2014 the full-flat allocation also extends to Hanoi, Hong Kong, Nagoya, Osaka and Shanghai. The new seats are a result of Finnair’s 29 million-euro program to retrofit most of its wide-body fleet of Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft.

The Zodiac Seats UK Vantage model seats, which are already in use on Finnair’s four newest Airbus A330s, are designed to provide a fully-flat bed measuring 79 inches in length and 23 inches in width. The fully adjustable seats also come with an individual reading light, adjustable head rest, mood lights and a range of inflight entertainment options.

After the full-flat retrofit program is complete, all of Finnair’s long-haul Airbus fleet will have full-flat seats in Business Class with the exception of three older aircraft. Due to maintenance or other technical reasons, designated full-flat routes may still be served by these other aircraft, which feature angled lie-flat seating in Business Class. These three aircraft will be the first to be removed from the fleet as next-generation Airbus A350 XWBs begin arriving in 2015.

Finnair currently operates 15 Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft in its wide-body fleet, serving a network of 15 long-haul destinations in Asia and North America. A further 11 Airbus A350 XWBs (with an option for 8 more) are due to arrive beginning in H2 2015, which will help the airline double its revenue from Asian destinations by 2020. Finnair will be the first European airline to fly with the state of the art A350.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-302X OH-LTO (msn 1013) arrives back at the Helsinki (HEL) hub.

Finnair: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Finnair.

Finnair (Helsinki) tomorrow marks exactly 90 years since Finnair’s first commercial flight. On March 20, 1924, Finnair’s first flight transported 357 pounds of mail from Katajanokka in Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia aboard a Junkers F13 D-335 seaplane. Finnair, originally called Aero Oy, was founded on November 1 of the previous year.

Nine decades later, Finnair currently operates 43 aircraft traveling to more than 60 destinations around the world and employs nearly six thousand people. Last year, the company transported 9.3 million passengers, which represents 60 percent of all passengers that passed through Helsinki Airport. Air traffic plays a central role in Finnish business and the national economy, directly and indirectly employing over 120,000 people in Finland.

Today, Finnair, the world’s sixth-oldest airline still in operation, has six daily flights on weekdays between Helsinki and Tallinn operated by Flybe.

According to Flightstats, Finnair was the world’s most punctual airline in four different months last year, and in 2013 it operated the world’s second most punctual airline network.

Finnair’s recent milestones include the launch of new routes to Xi’an and Hanoi, design cooperation with Marimekko, renewed inflight dining options in Business Class, new and environmentally friendly offices, and becoming the first airline in the world to take delivery of new A321 Sharklet aircraft (see photo above).

Later this year Finnair is set to enter a joint business on EU-Japan traffic with fellow oneworld partners British Airways and Japan Airlines. Furthermore, Finnair will continue the retrofit of its widebody fleet with seats in Business Class that convert to full-flat beds. In 2015 Finnair will become the first European airline to operate the next-generation Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

The Finnish Airline Pilots’ Association and the Finnish Aviation Museum will organize a joint celebration to mark the 90th anniversary of Finnair’s maiden flight at 12:00 pm on March 20 at Matruusinpuisto park in Helsinki’s Katajanokka district. The event is open to all aviation enthusiasts. Weather permitting, the event will also feature a visit by a seaplane.

Follow the events celebrating the 90th anniversary of Finnair’s maiden flight on Twitter under the hashtag #Finnair90.

Congratulations Finnair!

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Newly-delivered Airbus A321-231 OH-LZH (msn 5803) with Sharklets prepares to land at Tenerife Sur.

Finnair: 

Videos:

Japan Airlines (JAL) (Tokyo) and fellow oneworld® alliance members British Airways (London) and Finnair (Helsinki) will start their planned joint business venture between Europe and Japan starting on April 1, 2014.

The joint business means that the three airlines will share revenue and cooperate on scheduling and pricing between Japan and Europe, providing customers with more flexible routing options and an attractive range of fares.

Last October, Japanese regulators gave approval to the airlines’ plans to include Finnair in the joint business established in 2012 by British Airways and Japan Airlines, and in February the three airlines began selling joint fares on select routes for travel after April 1.

The joint business opens up all three airlines’ networks between Japan and Europe and allows the airline partners to cooperate on expanding their presence in this growing and important market. The agreement also strengthens the oneworld alliance and enables it to compete more effectively around the world with other global alliances.

Currently, Finnair flies daily from Helsinki to Tokyo and daily in summer (five times per week in the winter) to Osaka and Nagoya, connecting Japan to more than 50 Finnair destinations in Europe. Japan Airlines also operates daily from Tokyo to Helsinki, Frankfurt, Paris and London, while British Airways operates daily flights (from April 9) from London to both Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo.

Copyright Photo: Wingnut/AirlinersGallery.com. JAL’s Boeing 777-346 ER JA735J (msn 32434) taxies at Los Angeles International Airport.

JAL-Japan Airlines: 

Finnair (Helsinki) between today (March 26) and April 16 will feature specially tailored kimonos created for the cabin crew by Marimekko on Japanese flights in celebration of the Japanese Sakura (Hanami), the Cherry Blossom viewing. During this three week period three kimonos will be worn per flight during boarding and inflight sales. The kimonos will be used for a week at a time on each route starting:

· From Nagoya between March 26 and April 1;
· During the second week in Osaka from April 2 to 8;
· During the last week in Tokyo between April 9 and 16.

The kimonos will feature fourteen of Marimekko’s unique and colorful designs that draw their inspiration from some of nature’s most beautiful elements such as beehives, trees, roses, poppies, the wild Angelican plant and the snowberry plant. These patterns span five decades of Marimekko designs . Each pattern has its own unique story whether signifying the designers shift from ornamental to graphic patterns or emphasizing the designers introduction of floral patterns.

In addition to the Marimekko tailored Kimonos, Finnair will celebrate Sakura with a special Sakura menu with a Sakura menu card in Business Class while in Economy Class Sakura noodles and dessert will replace current menu items. In addition, trolleys will be decorated with Sakura flowers. Customers can also enjoy L’Occidane Cherry Blossom fragrance in lavatories and hot towels distributed in Business Class and special inflight items such as cherry blossom EdT and Fazer Geisha chocolate will be offered.

As we previously reported, on March 20, Finnair celebrated 90 years of flying. The company issued this statement:

It has been 90 years since Finnair’s first commercial flight. On March 20, 1924, a Junkers F13 D-335 seaplane transported 162 kilograms of mail from Katajanokka in Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia. The founding documents of the company, then known as Aero Oy, had been signed on November 1 the previous year.

Nine decades later, Finnair operates 43 aircraft to more than 60 destinations around the world, employing nearly six thousand people. Last year, the company transported 9.3 million passengers, which represents 60 per cent of all passengers that passed through Helsinki Airport. Air traffic plays a central role in Finnish business and the national economy, directly and indirectly employing over 120,000 people in Finland.

The world’s sixth-oldest airline still in operation celebrates the 90th anniversary of its maiden flight at work. Today, Finnair has six daily flights on weekdays between Helsinki and Tallinn operated by Flybe.

Copyright Photo: Finnair.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) will introduce scheduled services to Krabi and Phuket in Thailand. Both of these destinations were previously served only on a charter basis. Flights to Phuket (HKT) will be operated three times a week from November 14, and to Krabi (KBV) twice a week from December 10. Both routes will be operated with Airbus A340 aircraft.

The number of weekly flights to Nagoya, Japan (NGO) will also increase from four to five per week. The additional frequency is scheduled to depart on Tuesdays in November–December and Wednesdays from January to March. All Finnair flights to Nagoya are operated with Airbus A330 aircraft with full-flat seats in Business Class.

Additionally, Finnair will reopen its service to Tromsø (TOS). The Arctic city in the far north of Norway will be served from Helsinki three times a week from January 1 until March 28, 2015 for the Northern Lights season. The route will be operated by Flybe Finland with Embraer 190 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Kok Chwee K.C. Sim/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-313X OH-LQD (msn 921) in the special Unikko floral print 1964 color scheme departs from Singapore.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) has received approval to ease rules on electronic devices and issued this statement:

The approval came from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi).

Passengers may still be asked to switch off their devices if the visibility conditions are low during landing. Laptop computers are not considered handheld devices, and must always be switched off and stored properly during take-off and landing.

“Since the European Aviation Safety Agency recently eased its regulations concerning the operation of portable electronic devices, we have sought to apply these regulations to policies on board Finnair flights. Now with the necessary approvals in place, we are able to do so,” says Antti Aukia, Finnair’s VP Safety and Quality Management.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Finnair: 

Finnair Group (Finnair) (Helsinki) reported a first quarter loss of €34.2 million ($47.3 million). The loss doubled from a loss of €17.5 million ($24.2 million) in the same quarter in 2013. The decline was attributed to a falloff in leisure travel and a new weakness in business travel.

Read the full report from the Helsinki Times: CLICK HERE

In other news, Finnair is set to open a new Premium Lounge directly adjacent to the award-winning Finnair Lounge near Gate 36 in the non-Schengen area of Helsinki Airport. The Premium Lounge, designed by the Helsinki firm dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, complements the original Finnair Lounge and will be ready for Platinum and Gold Finnair Plus members and other oneworld top-tier customers by July 1, 2014.

The Premium Lounge showcases classic Nordic design in harmony with Finnish nature, with dynamic changes in light, colors and video projections synchronized with the seasons and time of day to create a calm atmosphere for travelers. High-quality complimentary meals and drinks, including wines and spirits, are plated on Marimekko tableware or served in Iittala Ultima Thule glasses – first designed for Finnair in 1968 by Tapio Wirkkala. The lounge features carefully selected furniture including legendary Tulip and Womb chairs created by Eero Saarinen. The 4380 foot space can comfortably seat up to 122 guests providing them with separate areas for work and relaxation.

As part of the overall upgrade in lounge services, the customers of both the Premium Lounge and the original Lounge will also enjoy access to completely new private shower suites and Finnish sauna. Towels and forest berry-based shampoos, shower gels and lotions from Finland will be provided.

“This new and exclusive lounge takes Finnair’s long association with Finnish design to a new level,” says Markku Remes, Finnair’s Manager of Lounge and VIP Services. “We will be delighted to welcome our most loyal and regular customers into this special space before their flight.”

“Our aim was to create a high-quality, even emotional experience for Finnair’s demanding clients,” says designer Vertti Kivi. “Different zones for work, refreshment, silence or bathing are unified with a light Scandinavian design touch, creating a space that clients won’t forget.”

The Premium Lounge is open to Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum members and their guests, as well as to frequent flyer cardholders with equivalent status at a fellow oneworld airline, including Finnair’s joint business partners American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Japan Airlines.

Other Business Class passengers are welcome to the original Lounge, which is directly adjoining the Premium lounge and is regularly featured in lists of the world’s top airline lounges.

Copyright Photo: Javier Rodriguez/AirlinersGallery.com. Newly-delivered Airbus A321-231 OH-LZL (msn 6083) with Sharklets lands in the leisure market of Palma de Mallorca.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) today (June 3) will open the Finnair SkyWheel in Katajanokka harbor in central Helsinki, not far from where Finnair first based its flight operations (as Aero Oy) in the 1920s (below).

The 460-foot observation wheel is equipped with 30 climate-controlled blue-and-white gondolas for year-round operation, including one special VIP cabin featuring a glass floor, leather seats and Veuve Clicquot champagne service. One trip on the Finnair SkyWheel lasts 15 minutes, while a ride in the VIP cabin lasts approximately 25 minutes.

On June 8, all Finnair Plus members will have the opportunity to board the Finnair SkyWheel free of charge between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. At other times, Finnair Plus members are eligible for a discounted single admission price of €9 (normal price €12).

The VIP cabin seats up to four and can be booked for a flat fee of €195, which includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne.

The Finnair SkyWheel is owned and operated by SkyWheel Helsinki Oy, and designed and built by the Netherlands-based firm Dutch Wheels, a global leader in the design and construction of observation wheels.

Copyright Photos: Finnair.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) is expanding eastward into Russia this summer with three new routes to Kazan (August 18), Nizhniy Novgorod (July 25) and Samara (August 7). The new routes will be operates three days a week with Embraer 190s by Flybe Finland.

The airline issued this statement:

This summer we’ll start operating direct scheduled flights to Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Kazan in Russia.

Flights to Nizhny Novgorod (airport code GOJ) begins on July 25, while flights to Samara (KUF) start on August 7 and to Kazan (KZN) on August 18. The flights will be operated by Flybe Finland three times a week with Embraer E190 aircraft.

On June 2, Finnair celebrated 90 years of the first flight between Helsinki and Stockholm. Finnair, former Aero OY, operated the flight on June 2, 1924. The flight was an adventure and the two and a half hour trip took in total 21 hours. Today, after 90 years of the first service, Finnair has up to 8 daily flights between Helsinki and Stockholm. The poster is from 1925 (see below).

Top Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) taxies at Sockholm (Arlanda).

Finnair: 

1925 Poster (Finnair):

Finnair (Helsinki) and its pilots, represented by the Finnish Airline Pilots’ Association (SLL), have reached a tentative labor contract agreement. The pilots have agreed to work for lower wages which is expected to save the company around 15 million euros a year.

According to Yle Uutiset, talks will continue until early September to finalize the agreement. In the meantime, the airline has agreed not to furlough any pilots.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-311 OH-LQA (msn 058) arrives in Phuket, Thailand.

Finnair: 

US Airways (Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (July 16) launched its codeshare agreement with trans-Atlantic joint business partner Finnair (Helsinki), further enhancing its relationship with the fellow oneworld alliance member and providing customers increased access to Helsinki and beyond. Customers can now book tickets for codeshare flights for travel beginning July 24.

Through the codeshare, customers can now book Finnair flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Helsinki Airport (HEL) and beyond. The codeshare will extend to additional Finnair flights from Helsinki, providing customers more access to 11 destinations including Brussels, Oslo, Stockholm and Zurich.

Finnair customers will now have more options when traveling from Europe to the United States on US Airways-operated flights to Charlotte and Philadelphia. Customers can also book travel on US Airways-operated flights beyond JFK to Phoenix.

As part of this relationship, Dividend Miles and Finnair Plus frequent flyer programs are able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by the other carrier, providing another valuable benefit to customers. In addition, customers will now be able to earn miles when traveling on codeshare flights operated by the other airline.

US Airways joined the Atlantic joint business with British Airways, Iberia and Finnair as an affiliate member earlier this year, and will remain as such until it fully integrates with American Airlines.

Top Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ Airbus A319-132 N822AW (msn 1410) in the special Nevada “Battle Born” state livery lands in Las Vegas.

US Airways: 

Finnair: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Finnair’s Airbus A330-302 OH-LTT (msn 1088) completes its final approach to the runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Finnair (Helsinki) is announcing ten new scheduled routes for summer 2015 to popular summer destinations.

The new routes are announced in corporation with Suntours and other tour operators. Finnair and Suntours will work closely together to ensure the best combination of package holidays and seats only on every destination. Seat only purchases can be made on the Finnair website, or through travel agency channels.

The ten new scheduled flights are:

Cyprus, Paphos: one weekly, starting March 31, 2015
Spain, Mallorca: one weekly, starting April 11
Turkey, Bodrum, Dalaman Airport: one weekly starting April 12
Greece, Crete, Heraklion airport: 2 weekly, starting April 17
Greece, Crete, Chania airport: 6 weekly, starting April 18
Greece, Rhodes: 5 weekly, starting April 19
Italy, Sicily, Catania: one weekly, starting May 6
Greece, Kos: one weekly, starting May 9
Italy, Amalfi coast, Naples Airport: 2 weekly, starting May 28
Austria, Innsbruck: one weekly, starting June 14

Finnair will also opened a new route to Gazipasa (Alanya in Turkey) in the summer of 2014. Gazipasa has been very popular because of the short driving distance to Alanya, where many Europeans have holiday apartments. Finnair will next year operate more flights to Gazipasa, but less flights to Antalya to match the customer preferences.

With these new routes Finnair will operate to 67 destinations in Finland, Europe and Russia as well as 13 destinations in Asia.

The new routes will be operated with Airbus A319s, A320s and/or A321s.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 OH-LXB (msn 1470) arrives in Zurich.

Finnair: 

According to Reuters, “Russia may restrict or ban European airlines from flying over Siberia on busy Asian routes, a newspaper reported on Tuesday, following Western sanctions which have grounded one Russian carrier (Dobrolet) and a billionaire’s private jet.

The Russian business daily Vedomosti quoted unnamed sources as saying the foreign and transport ministries were discussing possible action which might force EU airlines into long and costly detours and put them at a disadvantage to Asian rivals.”

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) receives around $300 million in revenue every year due to overflight fees by European Union carriers.

If this happens, will there be further retaliation against Aeroflot and other Russian carriers? Can Russia afford the loss of revenue?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Can Aeroflot afford this loss of revenue and possible further restrictions in Europe? Boeing 777-3M0 ER VP-BGF (msn 41686) arrives in New York (JFK).

Aeroflot: 

Finnair: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. If Siberian overflights are banned by Russia, one of the potentially most impacted European carriers could be Finnair which has expanded its route network to Asia through its modern and efficient Helsinki hub. For Finnair, avoiding Russian airspace could be a major and expensive challenge.

Finnair (Helsinki) is one of the first customers to unveil its new cabin design for its new Airbus A350s which are on order. The company has issued this statement and photos:

As the European launch customer of the next-generation Airbus A350 XWB (extra wide body) aircraft (above), Finnair has completed the cabin design of its new flagship longhaul product due to enter service next year. Created by top Helsinki firm dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, also the designer of Finnair’s new Premium Lounge at Helsinki Airport, the A350’s bright and spacious cabin features large panoramic view windows and comfortable seating arrangements in both classes. Gradual changes in dynamic ambient LED lighting ease customers into a relaxing flight experience and help create a calming and fresh atmosphere. All Finnair A350s will also be equipped with Wi-Fi for greater passenger enjoyment and connectivity.

“We have worked hard to create a special customer experience onboard the new A350XWB aircraft and are proud to bring Finnish design to Finnair’s passengers,” says designer Vertti Kivi. “Our Space Alive concept means dynamic lighting, colours and moods to suit the time of day, destination or season. For example, when descending in the East the aircraft can be awash in warm orange tones, or surface interiors may glow in fresh blue hues when arriving in Helsinki.”

The Airbus A350 also features an advanced pure air filtration system that changes the air in the cabin every two to three minutes. Draft-free air management, adjustable multiple temperature zones and a lower cabin pressure also enhance the well-being of passengers and crew.

Business Class.

The 297-seat configuration includes 46 seats in Business Class in a 1+2+1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access to all Business Class passengers. The Zodiac Cirrus III seats convert to fully flat beds, while a 16-inch touch-screen inflight entertainment system comes programmed with films, TV shows, music and other digital content on demand in numerous languages. Seats in Business Class also come equipped with AC and USB power outlets.

Zodiac Cirrus III wide and long full-flat bed seat.

The Economy Class cabin features comfortable Zodiac Z300 slim-line seats with a 31-inch seat pitch in a 3+3+3 layout. At the front of the Economy Class cabin are 43 Economy Comfort seats, with comfier headrests, high-quality headphones and four extra inches of leg room. All seats in Economy include an 11-inch touch screen inflight entertainment system and USB power outlets.

Economy Class Zodiac Z300 slim-line seat with 6″ recline.

“Since Finnair’s founding in 1923, we have had a long history of operations using the most advanced aircraft available,” says Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo. “As the first European operator of the A350 we are proud to carry forward this tradition on behalf of our passengers, whose safety and comfort remain our first priority.”

Finnair plans to begin operating its first A350s in the second half of next year, initially serving Shanghai, Bangkok and Beijing, with Hong Kong and Singapore A350 service to be added in 2016. Finnair has 11 firm orders and 8 options for A350 aircraft, which will form the backbone of the company’s long-haul fleet and drive expansion plans.

The eco-smart design of the A350 also brings more than 25 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and operating cost over the previous generation of aircraft in its class, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of Finnair and its passengers.

Copyright Images: Finnair.

Finnair: 

Finnair (Helsinki) reported a second quarter net loss of €23.9 million ($32.0 million), completely reversed from a €18.1 million net profit ($24.2 million) in the same quarter a year ago. Additionally Finnair could be severely impacted on its Asian routes if Russia implements airspace restrictions for European carriers on its trans-Siberian routes.

Here is the full report:

Finnair Group interim report January 1 – 30 June 30, 2014

Finnair Plc. Interim report 15 August 2014 at 09:30 EET

April–June 2014

Turnover declined by 7.2% to 565.7 million euros (609.7).

The operational result was -19.6 million euros (7.5).

Net cash flow from operating activities stood at 69.2 million euros (101.2), and cash flow from investments totalled -92.2 million euros (-46.5). The cash flow from investments includes aircraft sale and leaseback arrangements implemented during the review period as well as advance payments for the first A350 aircraft.

Unit cost per available seat kilometre excluding fuel, (CASK excl. fuel), decreased by 2.4 per cent from the previous year’s level.

Unit revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) fell by 5.8%.

Finnair updates its guidance and estimates its turnover in 2014 to be significantly lower than in 2013 and its 2014 operational result to show a significant loss.

CEO Pekka Vauramo:

The second quarter of 2014 was difficult. Finnair’s turnover declined by 7.2 per cent year-on-year to 565.7 million euros. The factors affecting the decrease in turnover included a substantial decline in unit revenue, the loss of external turnover resulting from the restructuring of aviation services, and the weak development of tour operator Aurinkomatkat Suntours. The impact of the weak economic prospects in Finland on domestic demand and intensified international competition, particularly in long-haul traffic, had a negative effect on our unit revenue. The appreciation of the euro against our other primary revenue currencies continued to weaken our unit revenue from passenger traffic. The challenging operating environment has also been reflected in the revenue development of other airlines.

Our passenger load factors in April–June improved year-on-year, and at the same time we made progress with our cost reduction program. I am pleased that our cost reduction targets and market-based approach have been met with understanding also among our personnel, and that we were able to reach agreement on the necessary cost reductions with some of our personnel groups. However, these positive steps were not sufficient to compensate for the drop in revenue, and our operational result declined to a substantial loss at 19.6 million euros in a quarter traditionally strong for Finnair.

Achieving the cost reductions we are pursuing and reaching market level costs in all cost categories is absolutely essential in this financial situation. Finnair is very committed to achieving a competitive cost level and structure.

Outlook

Outlook on August 15, 2014:

The ongoing uncertain economic outlook in Europe and Asia is contributing to weak consumer demand in our main markets. Air traffic is expected to grow moderately in 2014. Finnair, however, will not be able to benefit from that growth without progress in its cost reduction program and its target cost structure in place.

Finnair estimates its turnover in 2014 to be significantly lower than in 2013. Fuel costs are expected to remain high. Due to delays in the personnel cost reduction negotiations and the unfavourable market conditions driving the decline in unit revenue, Finnair estimates that its 2014 operational result will show a significant loss.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 WL OH-LZK (msn 5961) arrives at Rome (Fiumicino).

Finnair: 

Finnair  (Helsinki) has reached an agreement with its pilots, represented by the Finnish Air Line Pilots’ Association (SLL).

The company issued this statement:

Finnair and the Finnish Air Line Pilots’ Association (SLL) have reached a result in the negotiations related to Finnair’s savings program.

The agreement brings Finnair 17 million euros in permanent annual savings. Approximately 11 million euros will materialize gradually over the 2-year CLA period. Approximately 3 million euros will materialize in the coming few years through growth and the remaining 3 million euros in the future through changes to pensions and the employment terms of new pilots. In return, Finnair gives pilots protection for redundancies for the next two years. It has been additionally agreed that Finnair will study an incentive plan for pilots. The savings agreement is contingent on the realization of this incentive plan that will be formulated during autumn.

The savings agreed with SLL are mainly reached through changes to salary and working time. Finnair and SLL agreed in June on transferring to a new wage model. However, the savings solution was finally developed based on the current wage model.

In October 2012 Finnair began a 60 million euro cost savings program – additional to the 140 million euro cost savings program begun in August 2011 – mainly in personnel-related costs. The negotiations on cabin personnel’s 18 million euro savings proved unsuccessful and the company is now forced to proceed with increasing the use of outsourced cabin service. Finnair would have rather continued flying with its own crew.

Finnair has reached savings agreements with personnel groups belonging to IAU and with Finnair’s salaried and senior salaried employees and engineers (FYT and FIRY). In addition, Finnair has made cuts in its administration and support functions, and Finnair’s Board of Directors has also reduced the variable part of the top management’s total remuneration as well as other benefits.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 OH-LXD (msn 1588) arrives in Zurich.

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Finnair (Helsinki) will add seasonal services from Helsinki to Athens, Dublin and Malta next summer season, with schedules designed for optimal connections with Finnair’s network of Asian destinations. Service to Dublin begins on March 30, Malta on April 2 and Athens on April 5. Service to all three destinations lasts until late October.

Dublin (DUB) will be served six times a week, except Tuesdays, with 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft operated on behalf of Finnair by Flybe Finland.

Flights to Malta International Airport (MLA) near the Maltese capital Valletta are operated two times a week — Mondays and Thursdays — with Airbus A321 Sharklet aircraft. Athens (ATH) is also served twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, with Airbus A319s or A320s.

In other news, Finnair is extending its network throughout the United Kingdom with new codeshare services from Manchester operated by partner airline Flybe. Effective September 15, the Finnair code will be added to Flybe services from Manchester (MAN) to 10 regional airports: Aberdeen (ABZ), Belfast City (BHD), Edinburgh (EDI), Exeter (EXT), Glasgow (GLA), Inverness (INV), Isle of Man (IOM), Jersey (JER), Newquay (NQY) and Southampton (SOU).

Separately, Finnair also cooperates with Flybe affiliate Flybe Finland, a joint venture between Finnair and Flybe established in 2011. Flybe Finland operates a mixture of contract-flights on behalf of Finnair as well as its own flights around Finland and the Nordic region from its base at Helsinki Airport.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-211 OH-LZE (msn 1978) arrives in Rome (Fiumicino).

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