Finnair to launch A350 service to Melbourne

Finnair is set to start flights to Melbourne next autumn, marking the Nordic airline’s first-ever regular route between Finland and Australia.

Starting on the 25th of October 2026, daily flights between Helsinki (HEL/EFHK) and Melbourne (MEL/YMML) will run with a stop in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK/VTBS), using Airbus A350 aircraft. The service is pending government approvals.

“By connecting Helsinki and Melbourne, two cities on opposite sides of the world, we can offer a truly unique bridge between the northern and southern hemispheres,” Finnair Chief Revenue Officer Christine Rovelli says. “We expect that this new route will appeal to travelers from Europe heading to Australia, as well as Australians exploring northern Europe and beyond.”

At this stage the proposed schedule is as below, 

The outbound flight, AY145 will leave Helsinki at 00.10, and arrive in Bangkok at 16.30, after a short stop the flight will depart at 18.15, arriving in Melbourne the next morning at 07.15. 

The return trip, AY146, will depart Melbourne at 15.35, arrive in Bangkok at 20.45, it will depart for Helsinki at 22.30, arriving Helsinki early the following day at 06.05. 

Finnair says the timetable is set to match its first wave of morning departures across Europe while making the most of A350 usage.

Finnair has already been operating a pair of A330-300s for Oneworld alliance partner Qantas under a wet-lease agreement, flying Sydney-Bangkok and Sydney-Singapore services. The arrangement has helped Qantas bolster capacity while allowing Finnair to utilize A330s that are less optimal for its own network following the closure of Russian airspace.

Finnair will become the third European carrier to serve Australia, joining British Airways and Turkish Airlines. Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus says the new route marks a big win for the state of Victoria.