UK flag carrier British Airways and Finnish carrier Finnair have expanded their codeshare agreement to increase connectivity and solidify their presence in the respective regions. The new deal, which comes into effect immediately, gives Finnair customers access to seven British Airways domestic routes that operate between London Heathrow and:
- Aberdeen
- Belfast City
- Gibraltar
- Inverness
- Jersey
- Manchester
- Newcastle
Previously, Finnair flights were limited to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Background
British Airways and Finnair are both part of the oneworld alliance and collaborate under the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement. Finnair also began using Avios as the currency for its Finnair Plus loyalty programme in March 2024, which means BA Club members can earn Avios even when flying with Finnair.
For Finnair, this codeshare expansion means access to previously underserved areas. These include the Channel Islands and Gibraltar, which can now be accessed via a single booking thanks to Finnair’s extensive global routes. As a result, destinations such as Helsinki and Lapland and major Asian cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Singapore, and Seoul will now be accessible to travellers.
The agreement also makes sense in the context of the bigger picture, as Finnair increased the capacity of its London Heathrow to Helsinki route by 50% in late 2024. Under the offering, customers could fly with Finnair across:
- Two daily flights from Manchester
- Six daily flights from London Heathrow to Helsinki
- Up to seven weekly flights from Edinburgh
Now, the codeshare expansion will lead to more flights, and major Finnair destinations will be within reach for UK travellers.
Market Advantages for Both Airlines
Both airlines stand to gain from the expansion. British Airways already enjoys a strong foothold in North America. More than 400 weekly direct flights connect the UK with North America at the height of the travel season. On the other hand, Finnair has carved out a niche in Asia with flights to approximately 20 destinations from its Helsinki base. By allowing travellers access to additional flights through the codeshare agreement, the two airlines stand to increase their footprint and mutually benefit from the arrangement.
As both carriers are part of the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement along with American Airlines, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL, this agreement allows them to agree on a set of flight schedules, pricing strategies, and programmes. This would result in smoother long-distance travel options for customers who won't have to use the Avios Calculator to estimate while booking each separate flight.
The Expansion is Not a One-Off
It's an interesting time in the aviation industry – new alliances and partnerships are emerging almost daily. This codeshare agreement between the two airlines is the result of an industry-wide pivot that’s seeing airlines enter alliances and joint ventures for increased connectivity without greater overheads. It makes even more sense for airlines such as Finnair, which is looking to enter new markets with no previous footprint. The codeshare allows it a foothold without incurring operating costs.
On the other hand, British Airways benefits by offering its regional UK customers access to Finnair's extensive long-haul network, especially in the Nordics, Baltics, and Asia. The move also strengthens Heathrow's role as a major transit hub for passengers, who can now avail themselves of more ways to earn Avios and British Airways Tier Points while travelling between the UK and Finland.
A Win for Regular Travellers
The partnership between British Airways and Finnair can benefit travellers in many ways. For one thing, it simplifies the booking process for British Airways Club members, previously known as the British Airways Executive Club. As a result of this new agreement, Finnair Business Class and Economy customers can book end-to-end journeys without the hassle of booking different flights. Travellers departing to far-off Nordic, Baltic, and even Far East destinations can now begin their journey from regional airports and enjoy a smoother transit. Those who choose to fly with Finnair under British Airways' codeshare will still be able to earn and use Avios and increase their British Airways Tier Points.
Speaking about the importance of the expansion, Anssi Partanen, Finnair's European Market Director, said, "Over the past few years, we have seen a growing demand for our flights to Helsinki and beyond from destinations across not only the UK but also the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Therefore, we are extremely excited to be expanding our codeshare with British Airways, to ensure customers travelling from across the country can enjoy reliable connectivity onto Finnair's flights from London. With the ability to now book end-to-end journeys with Finnair while also collecting Avios as a British Airways Club Member, we know this move will prove popular with customers planning their long and short-haul getaways for 2025."
