By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Finnair celebrated the inauguration of a new direct flight from Toronto to Helsinki on Monday (May 4) with the arrival of Finnair flight AY 31 to a traditional water salute at Pearson airport in the early evening. The service marks a return of Finland’s national carrier to Canada after an 11-year absence.
Flights Service will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays until the end of August, offering three choices of cabin: business, economy, and premium economy. The route will be flown by the Airbus A330 with business, premium and economy classes, the former featuring signature AirLounge seats with an innovative pod-like, no-recline design.
Earlier in the day, the carrier hosted a luncheon at Toronto’s Scotia Plaza where Finnair representatives were joined by members of the Finnish Embassy and over 20 of Canada’s travel and trade media.
Hanna-Leena Korteniemi, Finland’s Ambassador to Canada, hailed the service as connection between two like-minded countries whose people share the same the values.
She also noted that Finland has been voted “The Happiest Country in the World” for nine consecutive years.
Speculating on why that has been the case, she offered that for Finns, “happiness is not perfection, nor constant excitement. It is something practical, something built, and that is why Finland’s new country image is called ‘making happiness happen.’ Happiness happens when society works; happiness happens when people trust institutions and each other; and happiness happens when daily life is balanced, safe and meaningful. Living a lifestyle that supports balance, in praising quirkiness, and finding happiness in everyday experiences – for example going to sauna every single day. In Finland, happinesses not a moment, it is a state of mind.
“For visitors,” she continued, “Finland offers something increasingly rare: space to breathe, time to think, an experience that feels genuine. From vibrant urban culture in Helsinki to quiet forests, clean lakes, and the tradition of sauna.
“Finland invites people to slow down and to reconnect. Finland is not trying to be louder than others, it offers something different: authenticity, credibility, calm confidence. And I am pleased that Finnair is making it possible for the Canadians to taste this secret happiness sauce.”
Javier Roig Sanchez, Finnair’s GM for North America hailed “the first and only direct, transatlantic flight between Canada and Finland,” and noted that Helsinki and its marvellous airport also opens doors for Canadians to connect to major destinations in Europe – Norway and Sweden in particular – plus Poland and the Baltics, as well as to South Asia, not least New Delhi, India.
He noted the uptake in bookings for the latter route, even before it has been marketed.
For its part, Finland offers its own unique experiences, from outdoor activities to midnight sun and the largely undiscovered Nordic capital, Helsinki. In the north, Rovaniemi is renowned for its northern lights and is the official “home of Santa Claus.”
Being a member of the oneworld alliance, strong partnerships with the likes of American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus make Finnair well-connected extending its network through partner airlines. The Finnish carrier also enjoys a domestic partnership with WestJet, extending connections throughout Canada beyond Toronto.
The new Toronto route represents Finnair’s 7th gateway in North America, which also include Chicago and Seattle.
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