Aussies looking to swap the surf for the snow now have a new flight option to Europe. For the first time ever, Finnair is connecting Australia and Finland, with its new daily service from Melbourne to Helsinki via Bangkok.

This new route is a game-changer for Victorian jet-setters. Not only does it open up a seamless connection to the Nordics, but it also offers a stopover option in Thailand where you can stretch your legs and practice for the saunas in steamy Bangkok.

Whether you're chasing the Northern Lights or just keen to experience Finnair’s new route, here’s everything you need to know about this exciting new connection.

Return fares for the new Melbourne to Helsinki route are starting from approximately AU$1,754 for economy class.

By comparison, we're seeing the Melbourne-Helsinki route going for about AU$2,100 on other airlines with just one stopover. (There are cheaper options with two-stops, but the journey gets pretty long.)

The inaugural flight is scheduled to take off on 26 October 2026, perfectly timed for the Australian summer holidays and the European winter season.

Finnair will operate this service daily, giving you plenty of flexibility when planning your European escape.

The first flights take off 26 October, 2026:

Note: The flight includes a short stopover in Bangkok (BKK) in both directions.

The total flight time is approximately 22 to 24 hours, depending on the direction of travel. The leg from Melbourne to Bangkok takes about 9 hours, followed by a transit, and then a 12-hour hop from Bangkok to Helsinki.

AY145 and AY146 will be aboard the modern Airbus A350-900. These planes come in a 3-3-3 layour in economy, with Wi-Fi available for purchase.

Travellers will have power/USB ports at their seats and seat-back entertainment.

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Written by: Alex Keshen

The content strategist and SEO lead for Traveloka Australia, Alex manages the blog and other pages across the site. An avid traveller, digital content creator and writer, she’s contributed to publications such as Australian Women's Weekly, Marie Claire, Elle, Gourmet Traveller, Finder and Explore Travel… and has found the time to visit 50+ countries while doing it. She loves good flight sale and will share some of the best ones she can find right here on our Explore blog. Follow her regular Deals of the Week column for the latest bargains on flights, hotels and more.