However, just as Finnair’s Asian markets have begun reopening following the outbreak of COVID-19, there is no end in sight to Russia’s war in Ukraine, with subsequent sanctions and retaliatory airspace closure measures.
Japan is almost, but not entirely, off the map
The Helsinki-based airline released its schedule for the winter 2022 season on Tuesday. In the accompanying statement, the airline announced that routes to Japanese destinations Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, Osaka, and Sapporo would remain suspended due to the continued inaccessibility of Russian airspace.
Meanwhile, Japan is not off the airline’s network entirely. Finnair continues to operate to Tokyo Narita – flying straight north from the Finnish capital, up and over Greenland, to come down on the other side of the pole and fly through a narrow corridor between Russia and Alaska and across Bering’s Sea. A flight that would typically take about ten hours now lasts over 13.
Long and winding detour to India
Other destinations in Asia are more easily accessible via a southern detour. For instance, Finnair’s flight AY122 to Delhi travels through the Baltics, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria before leaving European airspace and continuing across the Black Sea, over Armenia, Iran, and Pakistan.
Delhi will remain on Finnair’s daily Winter 2022 schedule, whereas newcomer Mumbai will see four services per week. Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo Narita will also have daily Finnair flights. Hong Kong will also see seven weekly services, whereas the Shanghai route remains reduced to just one flight per week.
Meanwhile, the Nordic winter leisure destination extraordinaire Thailand is well represented with 14 weekly flights to Bangkok, three per week to Phuket, and two weekly to Krabi. Travelers from the airline’s new base at Stockholm Arlanda will also be able to choose from two weekly departures each to Bangkok and Phuket.
Five US destinations
In the other direction, and not affected by airspace restrictions, the airline will operate flights to five destinations in the US. Three weekly services will depart for New York JFK, Los Angeles, and Miami from Stockholm Arlanda. Meanwhile, Finnair will operate Helsinki to New York JFK daily, four weekly flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare, and three times per week to Los Angeles and Miami.
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Those traveling between either of the two Nordic capitals and New York JFK will have the opportunity to fly in Finnair’s new business class seat or opt for the airline’s new premium economy product. The carrier has also refreshed its standard economy offering with improved inflight entertainment and enhanced dining options. Discover more aviation news from Simple Flying here.
Throughout winter 2022, the airline will also offer services to 62 destinations across Europe, including four daily flights to London Heathrow, twice daily to Manchester, and nine flights per week to Dublin. Ole Orvér, Finnair Chief Commercial Officer, said,
