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Finnair

Finland's flag carrier, linking Europe and Asia via Helsinki

  • FinlandCountry
  • AYIATA Code
  • FINICAO Code
  • oneworldAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Finnair

Finnair is Finland’s flag carrier and a oneworld member, connecting Europe with Asia, North America and the Middle East through Helsinki. In Europe the cheapest fare is now Superlight, with a small bag only, and since June 2026 Finnair allows two power banks that cannot be used on board. This guide covers each fare, baggage, the power bank rules, Helsinki tips, Finnair Plus and how Finnair compares with SAS and Lufthansa.

Finnair was founded in 1923 as Aero O/Y and is based in Vantaa, beside Helsinki Airport. Helsinki’s northern location gives short routes between Europe and Asia, and Finnair is the main way to reach Lapland.

Finnair flights to Helsinki
Photo: Tapio Haaja / Unsplash

Finnair Power Bank Rules (2026)

Since 24 June 2026, Finnair allows a maximum of two power banks per passenger:

  • Each power bank can be up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh); 100–160 Wh needs Finnair’s approval, and over 160 Wh is not allowed.
  • You cannot use a power bank to charge devices during the flight, or plug it into the aircraft’s sockets.
  • Keep power banks in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front, not in the overhead bin.
  • On long-haul flights, charge devices from the in-seat power outlet instead.
  • Power banks are never allowed in checked bags.

Check-In at Helsinki

Online check-in is available on the website and app. Helsinki Airport has self-service bag drop and short walking distances.

Connections between Schengen and non-Schengen flights require passport control, so allow at least 40 minutes, more at peak times.

Families and Special Assistance

Bassinets can be requested on long-haul flights, infants under two travel on an adult’s lap, and small pets can travel in the cabin on many flights when booked ahead.

How to Find Cheap Finnair Flights

Cheap Finnair flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Pick Light over Superlight if you need a full-size carry-on.
  • Compare Classic with Light plus a bag, especially for winter Lapland trips.
  • Book Lapland early for December.
  • Use Helsinki as a stopover between Europe and Asia.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Finnair next to SAS, Lufthansa and others.

Finnair vs SAS vs Lufthansa

All three connect Northern Europe with the rest of the world.

FinnairSASLufthansa
HubHelsinkiCopenhagen, Stockholm, OsloFrankfurt and Munich
AllianceoneworldSkyTeamStar Alliance
Cheapest Europe fareSmall bag only (Superlight)Personal item only (Light)Personal item only (Basic)
Economy carry-on8 kg8 kg8 kg
Best forEurope–Asia and LaplandScandinaviaWidest European network

See our SAS guide and Lufthansa guide to compare.

Arriving in Helsinki

Helsinki Airport is about 20 km north of the city centre. Ring Rail Line trains reach Helsinki Central Station in about 30 minutes.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Finnair a Good Airline?

Yes. Finnair is reliable and comfortable, with short Europe–Asia connections, a modern A350 fleet and an efficient hub. Check what the new Superlight fare includes before booking in Europe.

For more options, see our British Airways guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Finnair’s ticket types and power bank guidance. Rules change, so check the official Finnair website before you travel.

oneworld & Airline Partnerships

Finnair joined oneworld in 1999. You can connect in Helsinki onto partners such as British Airways, American, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways on one ticket and earn Avios across the alliance.

Learn more about oneworld

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Finnair is part of the transatlantic joint business with American, British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus, and works closely with Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Helsinki Airport (HEL) is Finnair's hub, with short connections between Europe and Asia in a single terminal.

Popular Finnair Routes

Finnair's busiest routes link Helsinki with Stockholm, Copenhagen, Rovaniemi, London and Paris, and long-haul with Tokyo, Bangkok and Doha. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Finnair Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Finnair sells Economy as Superlight (within Europe), Light, Classic and Flex, with Premium Economy and Business on long-haul flights. Superlight has replaced Light as the cheapest European fare and includes only a small bag. Light adds a carry-on, Classic adds a 23 kg checked bag and changes before check-in closes, and Flex adds free seat selection, changes and refunds.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type.

  • Superlight (Europe) Small bag only; no changes or refunds.
  • Light Small bag and carry-on; no changes or refunds.
  • Classic Adds 1 × 23 kg checked bag; changes allowed before check-in closes; not refundable.
  • Flex Free seat selection, changes and refunds.
  • Premium Economy and Business More flexible long-haul fares.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • EU passenger rights Regulation 261/2004 may entitle you to compensation for long delays or cancellations.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on finnair.com or the Finnair app.

Finnair Seat Selection & Additional Services

Seat selection costs extra on Superlight, Light and Classic; only Flex includes it. Extra legroom seats can be bought on many flights, and upgrades can be bought with money or Avios in Economy and Premium Economy.

On long-haul aircraft, Finnair offers Premium Economy and Business Class with its AirLounge seats, which have a shell design rather than reclining into the seat behind. Business passengers get lounge access.

  • Seat selection Paid on Superlight, Light and Classic; included on Flex.
  • Extra legroom seats Available to buy.
  • Upgrades With money or Avios.
  • Premium Economy On long-haul flights.
  • Business Class AirLounge seats and lounge access.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Finnair Baggage Allowance

On Light, Classic and Flex you can bring a cabin bag of up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm plus a small bag of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm, 8 kg in total in Economy. Superlight, the cheapest European fare, includes the small bag only. Business Class passengers can bring more.

Superlight and Light don't include a checked bag. Classic and Flex include one 23 kg bag, Premium Economy one or two bags depending on route, and Business one to three bags of up to 32 kg on some routes.

  • Superlight (Europe) Small bag only (40 × 30 × 15 cm).
  • Light, Classic and Flex Small bag plus carry-on (55 × 40 × 23 cm), 8 kg total.
  • Superlight and Light No checked bag.
  • Economy Classic and Flex 1 bag of 23 kg.
  • Premium Economy 1–2 checked bags depending on route.
  • Business Class 1–3 checked bags, up to 32 kg on some routes.

Finnair Plus: Finnair Loyalty Programme

Finnair Plus is Finnair's free loyalty programme. Members collect Avios on Finnair and oneworld flights and with partners, and spend them on award flights, upgrades and more.

Tier levels are Basic, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Lumo, recognised as oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

  • Basic Free entry level for all members.
  • Silver Priority services and oneworld Ruby status.
  • Gold Lounge access and oneworld Sapphire status.
  • Platinum and Platinum Lumo The highest benefits and oneworld Emerald status.
  • Avios Collected and spent across oneworld airlines.
Join or log in on the Finnair website

Finnair: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Finnair’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is AY. It appears in flight numbers (for example AY 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is FIN, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Finnair part of?

It is a member of oneworld. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is Finnair headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Vantaa (Helsinki), Finland.

04When was Finnair founded?

The airline was founded in 1923.

05What are Finnair’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Helsinki (HEL) – Main Hub.

06What is Finnair’s frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Finnair Plus. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What is Finnair Superlight?

Superlight is Finnair's cheapest fare within Europe. It includes only a small bag (40 × 30 × 15 cm); a carry-on and checked bag cost extra.

08What is Finnair's cabin bag limit?

On Light, Classic and Flex, one cabin bag of up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm plus a small bag of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm, 8 kg in total in Economy.

09Does Finnair Economy Light include a checked bag?

No. Light includes cabin baggage only. Classic and Flex include one 23 kg checked bag.

10Does Finnair Classic include seat selection?

No. Seat selection is paid on Superlight, Light and Classic and included only on Flex.

Finnair, its logo and trademarks are the property of Finnair Oyj and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Finnair unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.