Finnair's Timeline of Aviation Progress
Finnair, the national airline of Finland, has a rich history spanning nearly a century. Established in 1923, the airline is one of the oldest in the world and is headquartered in Helsinki.
The airline's journey began at the newly opened Helsinki Airport, then known as Seutula Airport, in 1952. The airport was developed to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and heavier aircraft, and Finnair's predecessor Aero Oy operated from there temporarily during the 1952 Summer Olympics. Regular jet flight operations commenced at the airport in 1959, marking a significant technological advancement for Finnair and the airport infrastructure.
In 1969, Finnair inaugurated its first long-haul route, starting scheduled transatlantic flights to New York City via Copenhagen and Amsterdam. This marked the airline’s entry into intercontinental services.
Fast forward to 2017-2018, Finnair experienced its fastest growth period by expanding capacity to numerous destinations across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The airline introduced new scheduled routes to Latin America and the Caribbean, transitioning some destinations from charter to scheduled services. In 2017, Finnair also introduced flights to the advanced Airbus A350, marking its first use of this aircraft in North America and representing its longest route.
More recently, Finnair reintroduced flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Seattle in 2022, expanding its North American footprint. The airline is set to resume flights to Toronto in summer 2026, marking a return to the Canadian market after previous service discontinuations.
Finnair's commitment to sustainability is evident. In 2019, the airline was named the world's fifth most sustainable airline by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Finnair has also invested in the development of sustainable aviation fuels. The airline has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 60% by 2025.
Finnair's loyalty program, Finnair Plus, offers exclusive benefits such as access to lounges, priority check-in, and boarding, and the ability to earn and redeem points on flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. The program is highly regarded by frequent flyers.
Finnair's focus on quality service has earned it numerous awards for its customer service. In 2020, Finnair was named the Best Airline in Northern Europe by Skytrax. Overall, Finnair is a well-respected airline that has established a strong reputation for sustainability, innovation, and quality service.
[1] Finnair (2021). History. Retrieved from https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/destinations/history [2] Finnair (2021). Network and Destinations. Retrieved from https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/destinations [3] Finnair (2021). Newsroom. Retrieved from https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/media-centre/newsroom
- Finnair's expansion in the late 2010s, marked by the introduction of new routes to various continents, signifies a strategic move in the field of international business, especially in the domain of finance that supports the development of new services and technology.
- Incorporating sustainability as a key factor in its operations, Finnair has made significant advancements in technology through the use of fuel-efficient planes like the Airbus A350, demonstrating a strong commitment to both business growth and environmentally friendly technology.
