Finnair is expanding its long-haul network and will launch flights to Melbourne next autumn. The route will be operated daily via Bangkok with an Airbus A350 aircraft. 

The Melbourne route is a brand new destination for Finnair, connecting Australia directly to Finnair's extensive network via Finnair's hub in Helsinki.

”We are delighted to be able to introduce a new continent to our offering. 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,” says Christine Rovelli, Chief Revenue Officer at Finnair. ”We expect the new route to appeal to travellers from Europe heading to Australia, as well as Australians looking to explore Northern Europe and other parts of the world.” 

The flight departs Helsinki just after midnight, arriving in Bangkok in the afternoon and continuing to Melbourne after a short stopover, with arrival the following morning. On the return journey, the flights depart Melbourne in the afternoon and make a stop in Bangkok in the evening. It lands in Helsinki early the next day, aligning with Finnair's early morning departures across Europe. In addition to seamless connections for travellers, this structure ensures high operational efficiency. 

Melbourne is located on Australia's southeastern coast and is known as the country's cultural capital, famous for its food, culture, and sport. In addition to being a popular holiday destination, the city has a large European diaspora, many international students and expatriates.

Flights to Melbourne will be bookable on Finnair.com from 15 December, with the first flight scheduled for October 2026.

In addition to Melbourne, Finnair's network will encompass a total of 93 European destinations, eleven in Asia, and seven in North America, including Toronto which is launching in summer 2026, as well as two destinations in the Middle East, by 2026.