Finnair Adds Melbourne To Long-Haul Network With Daily A350 Service

Finnair has announced plans to launch flights to Melbourne, marking the airline’s first destination in Australia and a major expansion of its long-haul network. The new route is scheduled to begin next autumn and will be operated daily via Bangkok using Airbus A350 aircraft.

First Australian Destination

Melbourne will become a completely new destination for Finnair, providing a direct link between Australia and the airline’s Helsinki hub. Through Helsinki, passengers will gain access to Finnair’s extensive European and long-haul network, strengthening connections between the southern and northern hemispheres.

Christine Rovelli, Finnair’s Chief Revenue Officer, said the airline was delighted to extend its network to a new continent. She noted that linking Helsinki and Melbourne offers a distinctive connection between two cities located on opposite sides of the globe, with strong appeal for European travellers heading to Australia as well as Australians travelling to northern Europe and beyond.

Timed For Smooth Connections

Under the planned schedule, flights will depart Helsinki shortly after midnight and arrive in Bangkok in the afternoon before continuing on to Melbourne, where they will land the following morning after a short stop. Return services will leave Melbourne in the afternoon, stop in Bangkok during the evening and arrive in Helsinki early the next day, in time to connect with Finnair’s first wave of morning departures across Europe.

Finnair says the schedule is designed to provide seamless onward connections for customers while also ensuring efficient use of its Airbus A350 fleet.

Melbourne’s Global Appeal

Situated on Australia’s south-eastern coast, Melbourne is widely regarded as the country’s cultural capital, renowned for its food, arts and sporting events. The city is a popular leisure destination and is also home to a large European diaspora, as well as significant numbers of international students and expatriates.

Bookings And Wider Network

Flights to Melbourne are expected to go on sale on Finnair.com from 15 December, with the inaugural service planned for October 25, 2026, subject to government approval. For 2026, Finnair’s network will include 93 destinations across Europe, 11 in Asia, seven in North America — including Toronto, launching in summer 2026 — and two destinations in the Middle East, in addition to the new Australian service.

FAQs

When will Finnair start flying to Melbourne?
Finnair plans to launch its Melbourne service on 25 October 2026, subject to government approval.

How often will the Melbourne flights operate?
The route will be operated daily, providing year-round connectivity between Europe and Australia.

Will the flights be direct?
No. The service will operate via Bangkok, with a brief stop before continuing to Melbourne in both directions.

What aircraft will be used on the route?
Finnair will operate the route with its Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft.

When will tickets for the Melbourne route go on sale?
Flights are expected to be available for booking on Finnair.com from 15 December.