Finnair has announced that due to passenger demand it is adding an additional 1,800 seats between Dublin and Helsinki, Finland, in summer 2016. The route, which launched in April 2015 with a flight time of three hours, connects Dublin with one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in Northern Europe.
The airline’s hub, Helsinki Airport, offers convenient and fast connections to the Far East and beyond with short transfers making long-haul journeys easier than ever before. Finnair currently operates seven services between the two capital cities, using a 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft and offering a convenient schedule timed to connect with the airline’s flights to Asia.
Connections via Helsinki’s uncongested and award-winning airport bring Ireland and the Far East closer than ever. The total flight time to Beijing from Dublin is just 14 hours, Dublin to Tokyo and Hong Kong is just over 15 hours and Dublin to Bangkok takes 14 hours.
The Embraer 190-operated service features Business and Economy Class. Checked-in baggage is included in all classes and Economy passengers can enjoy the airline’s Sky Bistro service that offers a wide selection of seasonal, high-quality food and beverage options combining the best of both Europe and Asia.
On flights to and from Dublin customers can enjoy even better value by choosing a Light ticket, a hand-baggage only fare, providing the perfect choice for travellers wishing to simply spend a weekend away in Helsinki during the summer to take advantage of the midnight sun.
Fredrik Charpentier, Finnair Sales Director, UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted that due to customer demand we are able to offer even more flight options for our passengers travelling to and from Ireland. Our customers value the exceptional Nordic onboard experience and the quick and convenient transfers through our Helsinki hub. With the arrival of our new long-haul Airbus A350s into the fleet customers can now experience the latest in technology and comfort while travelling to Asia’s leisure and business destinations.”
Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland Chief Executive, said: “Ireland’s popularity throughout 2015 as both a tourist and business destination meant that almost one million additional overseas visitors stayed in Ireland compared to 2014. The additional frequencies provided by Finnair to Dublin will provide easier access for a greater number of visitors from Pan-Asian destinations travelling to Ireland, which represents good news for the Irish trade and tourism industry.”
Finnair was named Northern Europe’s Best Airline at the 2015 World Airline Awards for the sixth year running. Organised by Skytrax, the recognition is based on an independent survey of some 18 million travellers from more than 160 countries. At the same time, the oneworld alliance, to which Finnair belongs, was named Best Airline Alliance for the third consecutive year.
Return fares direct to Helsinki start from €182 in Economy and €701 in Business.
Example Economy return fares to Asia from Dublin via Helsinki:
Dublin-Beijing: €520
Dublin-Tokyo: €592
Dublin-Hong Kong: €610
Dublin-Bangkok: €675
