Finnair's network realignment and its alliance with Qatar Airways, in the Points Guy

Few airlines have been as affected by exogenous shocks (covid lockdowns in Asia, war in Ukraine) as Finnair.

The Finnish flag carrier made a living by offering a shortcut to Asia from Europe across the Arctic, but with China closing down and Russian airspace off-limits, this is no longer a viable proposition.

The answer has been to re-align its route network and find new uses for its long-haul fleet (made of A350 and A330 aircraft). The US has seen renewed attention from Finnair, but so has also the Middle East.

Qatar Airways and Finnair were already partners through their membership of the Oneworld alliance, but a new closer partnership has now been announced, by which Finnair will feed Qatar Airways’ hub in Doha directly and with its own aircraft from three European capitals.

Check it out in my piece for The Points Guy!