New Route of the Day (25 October 2026): Finnair between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok

Finnair inaugurated flights between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok on Sunday 25 October, marking the addition of Australia to its scheduled network. Flights will be maintained daily and are operated using the A350-900 aircraft.

Flight AY145 departs Helsinki at 00:15 local time, arriving in Bangkok at 16:35 local time. It leaves the Thai capital at 18:25 local time, touching down in Melbourne at 07:20 local time the following morning. The return service, AY146, departs Melbourne at 15:30 local time, arriving in Bangkok at 20:40 local time. It continues to Helsinki at 22:25 local time, landing at 06:00 local time the following morning.

What they said

Christine Rovelli, Chief Revenue Office at Finnair, said: “It is fantastic to see the first Finnair flight arrive in Melbourne. This is an important milestone for us, bringing Finnair’s own flights to Australia for the first time and creating a new daily connection between Melbourne, Finland and the rest of Europe. We are very excited to welcome Australian customers on board and equally excited to bring more European travellers to Melbourne and Victoria.”

Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport, added: “Finnair is one of the world’s oldest and most well-respected airlines, so we are thrilled to welcome them to the Melbourne Airport family. Finnair has today joined a long list of the world’s top airlines in making Melbourne its Australian gateway, and we’re proud to see the blue and white tail on our tarmac. Thanks to fifth-freedom rights, passengers can book with Finnair to access Bangkok or a well-earned break on Thailand’s renowned beaches.  Alternatively, people can make the most of this new service to see Finland’s stunning northern lights or visit Europe’s cultural capitals.”

Only EU carrier to serve Australia

Melbourne is Finnair’s first Australian destination served under its own scheduled operation and airline code. It had not previously operated its own scheduled route to Australia.

However, Finnair aircraft and crews had flown to Sydney on behalf of Qantas under a wet-lease agreement, serving Singapore – Sydney from October 2023 and Bangkok – Sydney from March 2024.

Finnair’s arrival makes Melbourne the only Australian city to be served by an airline from the European Union.

Finnair selected Melbourne while seeking a new year-round long-haul destination. Its network planners identified the city’s substantial European community and demand for leisure and business travel in both directions as factors supporting the service.