A Brief History of Finnair

When it was first founded in 1923, the Finnair airline went by the name Aero A/O. As the Second World War ended, the Finnish Government bought shares in the airline which involved the company rebranding and thus being renamed Finnair in the early 1950s. Over the decades, the airline has grown and expanded, offering passengers domestic and international flights. Today, it flies to more than 65 destinations in 30 countries including North America, Europe and Asia. In 1999, Finnair joined the OneWorld airline alliance allowing passengers to have access to more destinations and airline carriers. With its main headquarters in Helsinki, it is Finland's leading air service and has won many awards over the years. The airline is considered one of the safest airlines to travel with as well as one of the oldest.

Flying with Finnair

With one of the most modern fleets in Europe, passengers are offered a choice of Economy or Business Class. The comfort of its passengers is of utmost importance for the company. Economy Class will see passengers take their seats with Marimekko-designed (Finnish textile company based in Helsinki) pillows and blankets to ensure everyone on board is relaxed and comfortable. With roomy seating, personal USB ports for devices, complimentary food and beverages for intercontinental passengers, Marimekko tableware and in-flight entertainment, the airline offers one of the finest ways of travelling Economy. For an extra charge, customers can fly in Economy Comfort seating which includes larger seats, noise-cancelling headphones, a free amenity kit, priority boarding and fast exits. With Finnair's Business Class option, passengers are given a choice of finely created meals. With the airline's acquisition of several new Airbus A350s, passengers in this class can enjoy full-flat seats, complimentary WiFi and in-flight entertainment, which can allow them to work or simply relax and enjoy their journey. Finnair Plus is the airline's frequent-flyer programme whereby the passenger is awarded a certain amount of points depending on how often and what class they fly with. As the points increase, they are awarded a membership status of either Basic, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Minors can also avail of this programme with the Junior status. For passengers that hold the frequent-flyer membership, priority check in and boarding -- and access to over 1,000 destinations thanks to the airline's partnership with the OneWorld Alliance -- are available.

Practical Information

Baggage:

• With Finnair, passengers are permitted one carry-on piece of luggage and one piece of checked luggage free of charge up to the maximum of 23 kg.
• If travelling with more than one piece of luggage extra charges will apply with the maximum extra baggage allowance being no more than ten bags at one time. * Customers can check-in extra baggage online up until 3hours before flight departure. Fees start from around £10 per piece to £50.
  Check-in:
• Passengers can choose either online check-in or at the airport. Online is the easiest way for most however if checking in at the airport is the preferred option, passengers can also check their baggage at the bag drop at the same time.
• Check in times vary depending on the flight destination. If flying within Europe and to the Middle East, it must be completed at least 45 minutes before the departure. Long-haul destinations such as Asia and Northern America require check in to be completed an hour before the departure.