FINNAIR MARKS 40 YEARS OF LONG HAUL FLIGHTS AND INTRODUCES NEW MODERN AIRCRAFT

(Warsaw 27.5.2009) Finnair started its intercontinental traffic 40 years ago in 1969 by introducing flights from Helsinki to New York. The Warsaw-Helsinki route launched in April 1973 was scheduled from the start with a smooth connection to New York in mind. At present, Finnair flies to New York daily, with three extra weekly flights added for the summer schedule. The new Airbus A330 aircraft servicing the New York route have been equipped to provide cabin comfort in a class of its own.

The first Helsinki-New York flights were operated with four-engine DC-8 jet aircraft, which represented the last word in aviation technology at the time. The DC-8 aircraft had a revolutionary navigation system, similar to that of the space shuttle that took Neil Armstrong and the first astronauts to the moon.

For the first 15 years, Finnair flew to New York via Copenhagen and Amsterdam. Nonstop flights began in 1984, when the company acquired its first wide-bodied aircraft, the DC-10. The four decades of flights to New York have been carried out with four different aircraft types, all of which have represented the peak of technology in their time.

Today the Helsinki-New York route is flown with Airbus A330, a modern wide-bodied aircraft. Finnair's first A330 aircraft flew its maiden flight to New York on April 6, 2009. With the A330, the New York route is once again entering a new era: the aircraft's fuel efficiency, technical qualities and cabin comfort are in a class of their own.

“On our new Airbus A340 and A330 aircraft, every seat is equipped with a personal entertainment system and screen, including in Economy Class”, says Juhani Nuoramo, Finnair’s Sales Director for Central Europe. “The system includes a satellite phone, a large selection of films and several TV and audio programs. One can even send text messages and short e-mails to networks on the ground and receive replies to these”, Mr. Nuoramo continues.

“New York continues to be one of our most important destinations. With three daily flights from Warsaw to Helsinki, new aircraft and the modern and compact Helsinki-Vantaa airport with uncongested air space, a flight via Helsinki provides an excellent option for business and leisure passengers alike”, Nuoramo says. “We also strive to keep our offers competitive. For example, if a passenger purchases his ticket by June 15th, he can fly Finnair from Warsaw to New York until the end of 2009 for 1 560 PLN only.”

Finnair's aim for the new decade is to maintain the shortest, fastest and most ecological route between Asia and America, supported by Helsinki's favourable geographical position.


For more information, please contact:

Radoslaw Podhorecki tel. +48-601-370 178 or +48 22 657 00 17
Finnair Media Desk tel. +358 9 818 4020 or media.desk@finnair.com
http://www.finnairgroup.com/mediaen/mediaen_9_2.html
Stock Exchange Releases http://www.finnairgroup.com/group/group_11_1.html
Finnair Images www.finnair.com/gallery
www.finnairgroup.com
www.via.helsinki.com