Finnair to launch Melbourne-Helsinki flights

[MEL_Traveller]

It's still the case that you can only use the multi-city engine to get results for Finnair from AU to Europe. The points calculator doesn't return useful info. I'm getting via multi-city 182,900 for MEL-BKK-HEL-KFL. Is that what it should cost ? (It's less than what the points calculator gives for MEL-SIN-HEL (QF+AY) as a one-way.)

mixing QF and AY will break the award and charge them separately as theyre in different award tables. Staying with AY will keep the award as a ‘through fare’.

 

[Pete98765432]

Does anyone have any insight into when AY will release their 2027 northern summer timetable? There have been no flights available to book after 27/3/27 for several days (including revenue flights on their website).

 

[01ellioc]

Has anyone been able to see and book 2x business class seats MEL-BKK-HEL (or return) using Avios?

I understand that the seat guarantee should see 2x U fares loaded 360 days out, so have timed searches for a couple of weeks now (when inventory appears) and can only ever see one business seat. I have set my location to Finland on the Finnair website as I saw that was an issue for some people. I have 125k Avios in my Finnair account, the exact amount for one redemption, so is it fair to assume I need the full 250k to be able to see the availability?

Thought I would pose the question before transferring more CC points to Avios, in case I was missing something obvious. Thanks!

 

[freqflyer77]

Has anyone been able to see and book 2x business class seats MEL-BKK-HEL (or return) using Avios?

I understand that the seat guarantee should see 2x U fares loaded 360 days out, so have timed searches for a couple of weeks now (when inventory appears) and can only ever see one business seat. I have set my location to Finland on the Finnair website as I saw that was an issue for some people. I have 125k Avios in my Finnair account, the exact amount for one redemption, so is it fair to assume I need the full 250k to be able to see the availability?

Thought I would pose the question before transferring more CC points to Avios, in case I was missing something obvious. Thanks!

"We guarantee a minimum number of award seats on each flight: at least four award seats on Finnair flights within Europe and eight on Finnair long-haul flights between Europe and Asia, North America and Dubai.*"

The guarantee doesn't appear to cover Australian flights.

 

[zsw]

Has anyone been able to see and book 2x business class seats MEL-BKK-HEL (or return) using Avios?

I understand that the seat guarantee should see 2x U fares loaded 360 days out, so have timed searches for a couple of weeks now (when inventory appears) and can only ever see one business seat. I have set my location to Finland on the Finnair website as I saw that was an issue for some people. I have 125k Avios in my Finnair account, the exact amount for one redemption, so is it fair to assume I need the full 250k to be able to see the availability?

Thought I would pose the question before transferring more CC points to Avios, in case I was missing something obvious. Thanks!

I think this might be more a limitation on the number of seats being released. I have no problems searching for reward seats with 0 Avios on my Finnair account, including 2 reward seats.

 

[Melburnian1]

"We guarantee a minimum number of award seats on each flight: at least four award seats on Finnair flights within Europe and eight on Finnair long-haul flights between Europe and Asia, North America and Dubai.*"

The guarantee doesn't appear to cover Australian flights.

Could this merely be an oversight given when Oz flights commence?

Many companies fail to update websites (and other information) in a timely manner.

 

[aspro2]

I was just looking at the end of the booking window QFF:AY. Based on the range of dates I sampled for August 2027 there seems to be one seat released to QFF per flight MEL-BKK, and BKK-HEL (reminder that they have to be combined using Multi-City).

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Does QR Avios and BA Avios see the same availability as Finnair Avios?

 

[PERLHR]

Does QR Avios and BA Avios see the same availability as Finnair Avios?

Perhaps not ....but that does not really matter as you can easily swap AVIOS between the three carriers and also Iberia and Aer Lingus for no additional cost. Proper One World AVIOS use.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Although I've never been able to get my Finnair Avios account to sync with BA and QR for some reason...

 

[PERLHR]

Although I've never been able to get my Finnair Avios account to sync with BA and QR for some reason...

Maybe reload the AY app and try again. Do you try and merge from BA or from QR? Finnair needs to be linked to Qatar via BA.

How do you move Avios between the seven different schemes?

There are seven different airline frequent flyer programmes which issue Avios. We show you how to transfer points between them, instantly and for free.

www.headforpoints.com

 

[Melburnian1]

The often criticised unusual J 'sofa' seats, this airline's apparent reputation for stingyness with food, a possible over-emphasis on seafood, its poor record in paying out on EU261 claims and the very early (0605 hours) arrival into Helsinki are unfortunately all reasons why despite it in theory being convenient to depart from MEL, I won't use this airline.

 

[PERLHR]

The often criticised unusual J 'sofa' seats, this airline's apparent reputation for stingyness with food, a possible over-emphasis on seafood, its poor record in paying out on EU261 claims and the very early (0605 hours) arrival into Helsinki are unfortunately all reasons why despite it in theory being convenient to depart from MEL, I won't use this airline.

I think the seat is applauded more than criticised. I've used it six times and never an issue for me certainly. Food wise it's always been decent enough ...early arrival into HEL is great for onward European connections ...seamless. So it's a big thumbs up from me. Never had to deal with any EU261 claims through them though...but most airlines initially make it harder than what it should be and it's heck of a lot better than anything Australian carrier offers ..ever..

 

[aspro2]

I think the seat is applauded more than criticised. I've used it six times and never an issue for me certainly. Food wise it's always been decent enough ...early arrival into HEL is great for onward European connections ...seamless. So it's a big thumbs up from me. Never had to deal with any EU261 claims through them though...but most airlines initially make it harder than what it should be and it's heck of a lot better than anything Australian carrier offers ..ever..

Yes. (1) Most complaints seem to be about seated position rather than sleep, and that's going to be very personal. I'm not assuming it'll be awesome, but given other things like the hardness of some SQ seats, the problematic adjustability of AC seats, etc, there are too many personal variables... (2) Food certainly attracts a fair bit of criticism (especially stinginess), but I've had unpredictably unimpressive food on SQ (and especially the damn "sleeper service" catering) and QR, so as long as I snack well in the lounges that'll hopefully at least get around portioning issues. (3) Arriving at FRA or CDG at 0600 or 0700 can be a pretty cough experience, especially trying to get through immigration sometimes (and that was even before EES), so early arrival at HEL is not something I'd treat as a dealbreaker. (4) Realistically, many pax will be transiting at HEL, and I'm happy to sit in the lounge there for an hour or four if it means arriving at the final destination outside commuter rush hour.

Given the pointlessness of QFF for QF metal for non-status pax, having A/B-tier-airline options that are fairly efficient (e.g. no 10+ hour layover in Manila, HCMC or Hanoi, Taipei) is welcome.

 

[Berlin]

I only now got wind of this, probably because it’s to MEL rather than SYD but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sydney wasn’t far behind. From my relatively extensive experience (in Business only, I’d never consider them, or any really , in Economy): FY are fine in J though the Asian based crews can sometimes feel a bit second tier compared to their Finnish main crews- I had good ones, meh ones and once a truly awful crew. Airplanes great, food fine, drinks very European flag carrier-ish.

The main benefit, however, is their Helsinki hub in my eyes: Easy to navigate, relatively short walks, great lounges in the International bit and the relatively recent upgrade of the inner-Schengen lounges also helps. Easy and plentiful connections to second tier ports like Berlin are very helpful if you don’t fancy flying to LHR, CDG or FRA. Inner European flights efficient and food has gotten much better in recent years.

Plus: Blueberry juice (yum!) and you can try Reindeer (Rudolph meat is available on many long haul flights but also as a delicious Pâté in the Lounge for anyone curious about it).

 

[aspro2]

I should also add that the surcharges were only about A$140, which is very welcome compared to the no-bargain-despite-points QR/EK/QF/BA... situation.

 

[OZDUCK]

Purely anecdotal of course, but brother flew them to Europe in Y from Hong Kong about two months ago and was very unhappy with the food. Not much of it and pretty poor quality.

 

[Berlin]

Purely anecdotal of course, but brother flew them to Europe in Y from Hong Kong about two months ago and was very unhappy with the food. Not much of it and pretty poor quality.

Yes- apparently really really bad in Eco (not tried myself, gratefully) but pretty good in Business, even inner European these days. As it should be, I would add (saying as someone who ALWAYS forks out for J, usually from my own pockets these days)

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Purely anecdotal of course, but brother flew them to Europe in Y from Hong Kong about two months ago and was very unhappy with the food. Not much of it and pretty poor quality.

I never eat Y Food.

 

[MELso]

Yes- apparently really really bad in Eco (not tried myself, gratefully) but pretty good in Business, even inner European these days. As it should be, I would add (saying as someone who ALWAYS forks out for J, usually from my own pockets these days)

Well, pretty good in business but only if you like quiche!