Finnair to launch Melbourne-Helsinki flights

[MELso]

Launch fares are out for economy class… MEL to:

LHR $1448
DUB $1205
Scandinavia $1500 upwards
HEL and CDG $1780

Those are for economy light, no checked baggage, non-changeable, non refundable. For travel off peak in November.

Looking at Dublin as the lead-in, economy fares with checked bags around $1980 return.

London is $1727 return

PEY for just under $4000 return.

Those fares seem a little uncompetitive for the level of service provided.

When I was looking a couple of days ago, the J fares were crazy cheap - think $4.5k to AMS on OTAs. It seems they've now been fixed up as the same days now look to be almost $10k! Quite the hike over even their normal rates (possibly because the fares have only been released, but even so...).

Totally agree that the fares are not that good given the service (minimal food, paid booze, spartan amenities, 2 stops if not going to HEL itself etc).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When I was looking a couple of days ago, the J fares were crazy cheap - think $4.5k to AMS on OTAs. It seems they've now been fixed up as the same days now look to be almost $10k! Quite the hike over even their normal rates (possibly because the fares have only been released, but even so...).

Totally agree that the fares are not that good given the service (minimal food, paid booze, spartan amenities, 2 stops if not going to HEL itself etc).

I would expect heavy discounting… unless their market is Finland and they’re not really interested in connecting traffic?

Pax can get pretty much any major legacy carrier for the same prices or cheaper, cutting out one stop, and with all the expected amenities.

Unless… the likes of BA and QR are sending AY into the market to test the ‘basic’ economy proposition?

 

[am0985]

I can find $8300ish on OTAs for MEL - BKK - HEL - LHR r/t.

Not particularly competitive TBH, Malaysia is one stop only and is around $1000 cheaper. Given they're both OW can't see a reason to book Finnair at these prices.

 

[Saab34]

Give it time, launch fares on many new starters are some of the worst fares you will ever see. Come back in say 1-2 months.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Lot of talk here how bad economy is ... but I found J to be excellent; even with a 'bad back' the seat was good. However ... I think you said you don't like, or eat fish? May struggle with the menu - all my flights were fish heavy, which I loved, but others may not. If a major issue, may wish to enquire about special meals? Sounds odd, I know, depends on the strength of your aversion (if I have it right).