Finnair Starts Daily Helsinki–Melbourne Flights With a Stop in Bangkok
Finnair began its first service to Australia on October 26, 2026, flying a daily Airbus A350 between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok.

Finnair has started flying to Australia for the first time. The new route links Helsinki and Melbourne, with a stop at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. The first flights began on October 26, 2026.
The service runs every day of the week and all year. Flight AY146 flies from Melbourne to Helsinki, and flight AY145 flies the other way. Finnair uses the same Airbus A350 for the whole trip, so passengers do not change planes in Bangkok.
The outlets list slightly different times. Aviation A2Z reports that AY146 leaves Melbourne at 3:40 p.m. and lands in Helsinki at 6:05 a.m. the next day. Travel and Tour World lists a 15:30 departure and a 06:00 arrival.
The two outlets also differ on the Helsinki departure. Aviation A2Z says AY145 leaves shortly after midnight and reaches Melbourne at 7:15 a.m. Travel and Tour World lists a 01:15 departure and a 07:20 arrival. All times are local.
What it means for travelers
Travelers in Melbourne now have a daily option to reach Helsinki and onward connections across Europe. The Bangkok stop also gives a link between Australia and Thailand on the same flight. Because the plane stays the same, the trip may be simpler than one with an aircraft change.
What to watch next
Check the exact departure and arrival times on Finnair's official website before you book or travel, since the outlets list slightly different times.
How the story unfolded
- AirlineGeeks Livery of the Week: Finnair
- Travel and Tour World Australia Connects Helsinki and Melbourne Gain New Daily Finnair Flight Connections
Read the original reporting
- Aviation A2Z – Finnair Inaugurates New A350 Flights to Australia for First Time ↗
- Travel and Tour World – Australia Connects Helsinki and Melbourne Gain New Daily Finnair Flight Connections ↗
- AirlineGeeks – Livery of the Week: Finnair ↗
Quick questions
What is this flights & airlines story about?
Finnair began its first service to Australia on October 26, 2026, flying a daily Airbus A350 between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok.
How does this affect trips to Finland?
Travelers in Melbourne now have a daily option to reach Helsinki and onward connections across Europe. The Bangkok stop also gives a link between Australia and Thailand on the same flight. Because the plane stays the same, the trip may be simpler than one with an aircraft change.
What should travelers watch for next?
Check the exact departure and arrival times on Finnair's official website before you book or travel, since the outlets list slightly different times.
Which outlets reported this?
This brief is based on reporting from Aviation A2Z, Travel and Tour World and AirlineGeeks. Links to the original stories are listed on this page.
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How we made this brief: RoamSun brings together facts reported by the outlets listed above and writes a fresh, short explanation with the help of AI. Every brief is checked so it does not copy the publishers' wording. The original reporting belongs to those outlets – please read their full stories.



