Finnair to launch Melbourne-Helsinki flights

[MEL_Traveller]

Early punters scored an amazing deal.

No doubt this pricing error will be fixed before long.

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And knowing Finnair… I wouldn’t be surprised if they cancel those tickets

 

[jakeseven7]

I hope Qantas will codeshare with Finnair on BKK-MEL sector

This would be great. Doubt will happen but fingers crossed.

 

[am0985]

Finnair has its minimum seat guarantee that they release on Avios for flights leaving or arriving in Helsinki, if you’re booking with Avios. So I think technically as long as you’re quick enough that there should still be at least some availability year-round. Like you asked, not sure whether the number they release more than the guarantee is throttled over peak periods but it would make sense if it was.

This is a really great addition for Euro summer then given the specific dates are less critical. It would be 143k points to a lot of Europe. 125k if going to Scandi/Baltic.

SQ can be decent at this too for a similar amount of points for Saver fares but can build in a stopover in BKK on AY (which I think is mainly possible on Advantage tickets on SQ). AY also has better connections to smaller airports.

Finnair also do pretty decent deals on buying Avios.

Going off previous sales it's been possible to buy 125,000 Avios on 40% discount for about 2700 AUD. They've done this twice this year, the 40-50% bonus deals which also pop up seem a little worse than the 40% discount. Of course need to add taxes and fees but if there's good availability it isn't a terribly bad deal each way.

 

[Himeno]

Wasn't expecting this. I guess they want to keep the extra cabin crew they hired for the BKK base when they started the QF wet lease as the lease aircraft transition to dry leases.

 

[SYD]

Wasn't expecting this. I guess they want to keep the extra cabin crew they hired for the BKK base when they started the QF wet lease as the lease aircraft transition to dry leases.

Or just shifting assets where they can make some money since the north/eastern Asian market is still problematic with closed Russian airspace and the US market sliding.

They’re probably getting some reasonable positive brand recognition off those wet leases also.

 

[PERLHR]

They’re probably getting some reasonable positive brand recognition off those wet leases also.

Most certainly they have....for sure.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They’re probably getting some reasonable positive brand recognition off those wet leases also.

Then they’re gonna really struggle when it comes down to the flights!

People used to Qantas or Thai service levels are going to be surprised when hit with low cost carrier

 

[PERLHR]

Then they’re gonna really struggle when it comes down to the flights!

People used to Qantas or Thai service levels are going to be surprised when hit with low cost carrier

Oh I dunno. I've always had pretty good flights with AY and would always choose them, personally, over QF. Think I've done 12 long hauls with them. All perfectly good.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh I dunno. I've always had pretty good flights with AY and would always choose them, personally, over QF. Think I've done 12 long hauls with them. All perfectly good.

In economy?

Single, no-choice meal. Single ‘mild’ alcoholic beverage, everything else requires payment. Tiny meal portions. No snacks unless you pay.

PEY is not much better.

I think QF and TG are miles ahead on that score.

 

[PERLHR]

In economy?

Single, no-choice meal. Single ‘mild’ alcoholic beverage, everything else requires payment. Tiny meal portions. No snacks unless you pay.

PEY is not much better.

I think QF and TG are miles ahead on that score.

No it's always been in Biz. ...and indeed...will stay clear of being down the back!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No it's always been in Biz. ...and indeed...will stay clear of being down the back!

I was gonna say

 

[Saab34]

If this is successful, and I’d imagine it will be considering the BKK route only has one full service carrier, plus Euro traffic is strong, then I wonder if Sydney is next. The other HEL-BKK could continue onto Sydney instead of returning.

I see the Head of Strategy is a Sydney born individual that is ex QF and EY.

 

[aikman]

I guess Qantas will change the points earning table for Finnair soon to reduce the points earn on this route. I wonder if Qantas has any regrets now for using them on the wet lease.

 

[LionKing]

I guess Qantas will change the points earning table for Finnair soon to reduce the points earn on this route. I wonder if Qantas has any regrets now for using them on the wet lease.

Why should they regret?
They even unable to launch BKK-MEL using Qantas A330. I think Qantas should codeshare with Finnair to maintain Qantas SC earn to compensate.

 

[Melburnian1]

Australia to Europe is booming.

Is it? Assuming its market share has remained constant, that's not what Flight Centre claimed recently in a media article I read: IIRC, its word to describe selling airfares to Europe was 'challenging'. The article concentrated on booming sales ex-Oz to Asia.

 

[jase05]

Always good for more competition and as probably the only one left on AFF who hasn’t tried out their J seats I’ll have to look at using some Avios to on our next trip to Asia

 

[Himeno]

I guess Qantas will change the points earning table for Finnair soon to reduce the points earn on this route. I wonder if Qantas has any regrets now for using them on the wet lease.

If QF have a break up with EK, they can form a AU/Asia > EU joint venture with CX, MH and AY

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Always good for more competition and as probably the only one left on AFF who hasn’t tried out their J seats I’ll have to look at using some Avios to on our next trip to Asia

I haven’t either! But will in Feb.

 

[am0985]

Interesting after erroneously putting up HEL - MEL for 62.5k Avios in J yesterday Finnair have now said award flights will be available to book from the 23rd.

Wonder if anyone managed to get a ticket at that price!