Finnair is following up its 100th anniversary celebrations of last year by marking 55 years of flights between Helsinki and the US.
The Nordic airline’s first flight to the US departed Helsinki on 15 May 1969, travelling via Copenhagen and Amsterdam, before reaching New York.
At the time, Finnair’s inaugural transatlantic flight was operated by the airline’s then state-of-the-art Douglas DC-8 aircraft, which featured a revolutionary navigation system, similar to that used on the Saturn V space rocket which took US astronaut Neil Armstrong to the moon.
Rather than operate the flights with the usual Cabin Crew, Finnair employed specially trained ‘Finn Hostesses’, whose sole job was to deliver top-flight customer service on the airline’s new transatlantic flights.
Dressed in new designer uniforms, the Finn Hostesses served top champagne and caviar to customers flying in Finnair First Class as they winged their way across the Atlantic.
Finnair’s route to New York also marked the airline’s first intercontinental expansion, supporting Finnair’s transition from a regional European airline to the global airline it is today.
Some 55 years on, Finnair now offers customers daily flights from New York JFK to its home hub in Helsinki Airport, with services operated by the airline’s flagship Airbus A350 and A330 aircraft.
When flying from ‘The Big Apple’, customers can also now enjoy the airline’s new long-haul cabin, including an entirely new Business Class seat, a brand-new Premium Economy cabin, and a refreshed Economy Class, thanks to Finnair’s $213m investment to transform the customer experience.
Pasi Kuusisto, Finnair General Manager North America, said: “Having first touched down on US soil back in 1969, it is great to be celebrating 55 years of Finnair flights between New York and Helsinki.
“New York has always been an important market for Finnair, being our first intercontinental route, so to celebrate over half a century of flights is a huge milestone on our journey.
“Whether it be connecting families and friends, making that in-person business meeting possible, or flying travellers on their well-deserved vacation, our New York route has always been a hit with customers.
“From our first flight on a Douglas DC-8 aircraft, to our flagship A330 and A350s complete with new cabin today, we have come a long way, and look forward to welcoming more customers onboard in the next 55 years and beyond.”
Outside of New York, Finnair has also announced further US expansion in Texas.
From October 2024, the Finnish flag carrier will increase its Dallas to Helsinki route from five times per week to daily, offering even greater connectivity for customers.
