Finnair CEO Turkka Kuusisto revealed a 28pc year-over-year increase in US-to-Europe passenger flows, with Dallas and Seattle added in 2022 and Helsinki–Toronto relaunching in spring 2026.
The airline’s partnership with American Airlines, based in Dallas, strengthens connectivity, with 80pc of Dallas passengers connecting across the US.
Finnair’s Embraer E190 retrofit aligns regional cabins with long-haul designs, while a campaign to replace ageing A319 and A320 aircraft is underway, with decisions expected by late 2025.
The closure of Russian airspace extends flight times, but reopening could reduce Helsinki–Tokyo routes to 24-hour rotations, lowering fuel and operational costs.
Nordic destinations like Helsinki, Stockholm, and Lapland attract US travellers escaping hot summers, with Finnair promoting year-round appeal and premium economy upgrades.
Turkka Kuusisto, Finnair CEO, shared: “The Nordics are a summer necessity for US travellers seeking cooler destinations.”
Javier Roig-Sanchez, Finnair General Manager for North America, shared: “Our Dallas base reflects the strength of our American Airlines partnership.”
Turkka Kuusisto shared: “If Russian airspace reopened, we’d gain huge efficiency without buying a single new aircraft.”
