Emirates opens direct route to Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Emirates Emirates has landed in Helsinki for the first time, launching a daily year-round service between Finland and Dubai that gives the Finnish capital a new direct connection to the airline's global network.
Photo: EmiratesFlight EK167 arrived at Helsinki Airport at 13:30, marking the start of the new route. The inaugural flight, initially announced at the start of the year, was welcomed by Finnish and UAE officials, Finavia representatives, Emirates executives and members of the local travel industry.
The new service is the only year-round direct connection between Finland and the United Arab Emirates, according to Emirates. Beyond Dubai, passengers can use the airline's network to connect onward to destinations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia.
Emirates lands in Helsinki. Photo: EmiratesThe inaugural flight carried passengers from more than 20 cities on Emirates' network, including Mumbai, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney.
The Helsinki route is being operated with the Airbus A350, Emirates' newest aircraft type. The aircraft used on the service has 298 seats across Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy.
Photo: EmiratesEmirates said the aircraft will bring its latest cabin products to the route. Business Class features a 1-2-1 layout with lie-flat seats, while Premium Economy offers wider leather seats with additional recline and legroom. Economy passengers have 13.3-inch 4K entertainment screens.
The airline is also introducing Finland-inspired touches onboard. Menus feature ingredients and dishes associated with the region, including salmon, venison and lingonberries.
The airline's ice entertainment system includes more than 6,500 channels, with Finnish films and music also available.
Emirates said the schedule has been planned around onward connections through Dubai. Flight EK167 leaves Dubai at 08:15 and arrives in Helsinki at 14:30. The return EK168 departs Helsinki at 16:20 and reaches Dubai at 00:20 the following day, subject to the published schedule.
For Helsinki Airport, the new route strengthens connections between Finland and the Middle East while also opening additional links to markets further afield.
Petri Vuori, Finavia's senior vice president for route development, said the service would support business, tourism, trade and investment while giving Finnish travelers access to Emirates' network.
The route also gives Emirates another foothold in Northern Europe. The airline already serves a broad range of European destinations, and Helsinki becomes its latest point in the region.
Finland offers year-round travel experiences, from Arctic adventures and Northern Lights in winter to the Midnight Sun in summer. The country is known for its forests, lakes, Baltic islands and 41 national parks, as well as wildlife including reindeer, bears, wolves and lynx.
Northern Lights. Photo: ShutterstockHelsinki combines city attractions with easy access to nature. Visitors can explore the capital’s design and food scenes, experience its traditional sauna culture and reach forests and lakes just outside the city. Together, Helsinki and Finland offer a mix of urban experiences, outdoor activities and seasonal attractions.
Tickets for the daily service are available through Emirates and travel agents, with the airline also offering holiday packages covering Helsinki and Finnish Lapland.