Finnair, Finland’s flagship airline, has revealed plans to extend its long-haul operations with daily flights to Melbourne, Australia, starting in October 2026. This new route will operate through Bangkok via an Airbus A350, as Melbourne joins the airline’s growing list of destinations.

This strategic development facilitates direct connections from Australia to Finnair’s vast network via its Helsinki hub. Anssi Partanen, the Market Director for Europe at Finnair, emphasized the significance of this route, stating, “Melbourne is an important destination for many people in the UK and Ireland travelling to visit friends and family across the globe, and we are thrilled to announce this unique bridge between the northern and southern hemispheres.”

The flight schedule is optimized for efficiency, with departures from Helsinki occurring shortly after midnight to arrive in Melbourne the next morning, following a short stop in Bangkok. Return flights will leave Melbourne in the afternoon, allowing travelers to connect with Finnair’s early morning departures throughout Europe.

Melbourne, celebrated as Australia’s cultural hub, is a desirable location due to its dynamic culinary, cultural, and sporting offerings. The city also embraces a large European community and hosts many international students and expatriates.

Customers can start booking the Melbourne flights from December 18, with the initial flight set for October 25, 2026, pending government approval. This new addition grows Finnair’s 2026 network to 93 European cities, 11 in Asia, 7 in North America, and 2 in the Middle East.