Finnair Announces Stacked Schedule of New Flights to the U.S. and Japan
The Finnish flag carrier is boosting its 2025 summer schedule with increased flights to the U.S. and Asia, offering more frequencies from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle
October 22, 2024

Photo: Courtesy of Finnair
Finnair has announced its largest-ever U.S. schedule for summer 2025, signaling the airline’s growing commitment to transatlantic travel. The Finnish flag carrier, known for its extensive Nordic connections, is ramping up its U.S. flights next summer to unprecedented levels.
This expansion comes as the airline reports a staggering 46 percent increase in U.S. flights compared to the previous summer, reflecting strong demand for travel between North America and the Nordics.
As Finnair General Manager for North America, Javier Roig Sanchez, put it, “While this summer comes to an end, here at Finnair, we are ready to take off with a bumper schedule for summer 2025.”
The airline’s schedule is experiencing a significant increase compared to last year’s:
Route | Summer 2024 Frequency | Summer 2025 Frequency |
---|---|---|
Helsinki (HEL) to Chicago (ORD) | 5x weekly | 7x weekly (Daily) |
Helsinki (HEL) to Dallas (DFW) | 6x weekly | 11x weekly |
Helsinki (HEL) to Los Angeles (LAX) | 3x weekly | 5x weekly |
Helsinki (HEL) to Seattle (SEA) | 3x weekly | 5x weekly |
Helsinki (HEL) to New York (JFK) | 7x weekly | 7x weekly (No Change) |
Helsinki (HEL) to Osaka (KIX) | 5x weekly | 7x weekly (Daily) |
Helsinki (HEL) to Nagoya (NGO) | 2x weekly | 4x weekly |
Helsinki (HEL) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) | Daily | Daily |
Helsinki (HEL) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | Daily | Daily |
Helsinki (HEL) to Shanghai (PVG) | 3x weekly | 4x weekly |
Starting March 30, 2025, Finnair will increase service to key U.S. cities, with a notable focus on West Coast and Midwest gateways.
Los Angeles, a long-time popular destination for the Finnish carrier, will see its service rise to five weekly flights, up from three, coinciding with the route’s fifth anniversary.
The Windy City, Chicago, will also benefit from daily flights, an increase from the current five-weekly service, as the airline gears up to celebrate a decade of connecting the State of Illinois to Finland.

Photo: Courtesy of Finnair
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Finnair’s fastest-growing U.S. market, will also receive a substantial boost. The airline, which launched flights to Texas in 2022, will operate an impressive 11 flights per week, a significant increase from the six weekly flights offered in summer 2024.
This makes DFW Finnair’s highest-capacity gateway in the U.S., surpassing more established markets such as Chicago and New York, which, surprisingly, is the only gateway not to receive a capacity boost. In contrast, the airline’s presence in Dallas is bolstered by its membership in the Oneworld transatlantic joint venture, offering seamless connections through American Airlines’ major hub.
Seattle (SEA) is also poised to see more frequent connections to Helsinki, with the route jumping from three to five weekly flights during peak periods. As the Emerald City’s popularity continues to grow, travelers from the Pacific Northwest can expect even more options for heading to the Nordics and over to Asia via Finnairs strong connectivity in Helsinki.
Asia Routes to Rebound
The increased transatlantic capacity isn’t limited to U.S. cities alone. Despite Russian airspace limitations and increased distances on its all-time lucrative flights to Asia, Finnair is also boosting its service to this region, with Japan leading the way.
Starting next summer, the airline will increase flights from Helsinki to Osaka, offering daily service—up from five weekly flights. This expansion is timely as Osaka prepares to host World Expo 2025, making Finnair an essential link for global visitors heading to Japan.

Finnair partners with Marimekko to produce service ware, pillowcases and blankets / Photo: Courtesy of Finnair
Finnair’s newly relaunched route to Nagoya will also see more frequent flights, moving from two to four weekly services. Meanwhile, flights to Tokyo’s both airports, Haneda and Narita, will operate daily, bringing the total number of flights between Europe and Japan to 25 per week.
On the Chinese market, the airline’s Helsinki to Shanghai service will increase to four times weekly as it tries to resume its pre-pandemic operations in China.
Awards and Frequent Flyer Benefits
The expansion isn’t just good news for travelers looking for more flight options—it’s also a boon for frequent flyers. As aviation expert Ben Schlappig from One Mile at a Time noted, Finnair Plus members will benefit from the airline’s award seat guarantee, which ensures at least two business class award seats are available per flight when the schedule opens.
“These extra frequencies have just been added to the schedule, so they each have at least two business class award seats,” Schlappig shared, adding that this award space is available exclusively through Finnair Plus and not via partner programs.

Photo: Courtesy of Finnair
For frequent flyers using Avios, this could mean valuable opportunities for booking transatlantic flights in business class. A one-way award on Finnair will cost 62,500 Avios for a nonstop business class seat, with relatively low taxes and fees compared to other carriers.
And thanks to the ability to transfer Avios between programs at no cost, travelers can maximize their rewards across various airlines.
Growing Transatlantic Partnerships
Finnair’s growing U.S. schedule is evident in the strength of its transatlantic partnerships through Oneworld. With American Airlines as a key partner, particularly out of Dallas, passengers enjoy seamless connections to Finnair’s extensive European and Asian networks.
Finnair’s hub in Helsinki offers easy access to over 25 Nordic and Baltic destinations, making it an attractive option for travelers heading to the region.

Photo: American Airlines gates. Courtesy of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
“From our first long-haul flight to New York back in 1969, we’ve come a long way in the U.S., and know these extra transatlantic flights will prove popular with those traveling for business, leisure, or visiting family and friends,” adds Javier Roig Sanchez.
As Finnair expands its reach across the U.S. and Asia, travelers can expect more frequent, seamless connections to Helsinki and beyond. The airline’s strategic growth reflects both rising demand and the allure of Nordic travel, whether for business or leisure.