Finnair’s route to Doha (DOH) is now live, completing the carrier’s Scandinavian trifecta network into the Qatari capital. Daily services will now connect Helsinki (HEL) with Doha, taking over from Qatar Airways, which ends its Finnish operations on December 15.

New to Doha

Announced back in August, the partnership with Qatar Airways saw both carriers swap services as part of a comprehensive codeshare agreement. Finnair launched its first two Doha routes from Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN) ahead of the World Cup in November, though Helsinki services were not planned to launch until the following month.

The collaboration is set to strengthen Finnair and Qatar Airways’ respective networks, offering better connectivity for Finnair passengers into Africa, South Asia, and Oceania, alongside more European destinations for those flying on Qatar Airways.

Finnair’s daily route will be operated by the carrier’s Airbus A330, equipped with a brand-new cabin for long-haul operations. Two hundred seventy-nine seats will be offered, divided between Finnair’s Air Lounge business class cabin, a new premium economy class, and an updated economy cabin.

Qatar Airways changes

The newly launched route is a noticeable increase on Qatar Airways’ previous operations, which offered just four-weekly flights between the two cities.

Despite posting strong financials for the first half of the year, Qatar Airways has been thinning its 2023 schedule, cutting capacity on several routes, including Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and Bangkok (BKK). The decision appears to be an attempt to streamline its services, reassigning its fleet to high-demand markets, particularly Australia.

The move to simplify operations is likely supported by Qatar Airway’s ever-growing list of airline partners, from its oneworld allies to non-affiliated carriers. Through 2022, Qatar Airways has expanded its network through various agreements, such as its partnership with South Africa’s Airlink in June and an upcoming codeshare with Iberia into South America.

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More for Finnair

Finnair appears to be in a similar position to Qatar Airways. While early 2022 was a difficult period for the carrier, Finnair’s fortunes shifted through the later half of the year, with December expected to be a record post-pandemic month. Finnair was able to return to profit during Q3, recording a net profit of €35.2 million ($37.5 million), though 2022’s full January-September results remained in the red.

In September, the Finnish flag carrier looked to cut around 200 international management roles in a move to center operations in Europe after Russian airspace bans limited Asian operations.

A further 450 cabin crew positions are likely on the line, with Finnair looking to outsource some long-haul crew members to reduce operational expenses. Negotiations are currently underway; however, a resolution is not expected until January.

Will you be flying with Finnair to Doha? What other routes would you like to see the airline add? Let us know in the comments.

• 

  Finnair

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  AY/FIN

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Helsinki Airport

  Year Founded:

  1923

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  CEO:

  Topi Manner

  Country:

  Finland

• Doha Hamad International Airport

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  DOH/OTHH

  Country:

  Qatar

  CEO:

  Akbar Al Baker

  Passenger Count :

  17,702,635 (2021)

  Runways :

  16R/34L - 4,250m (13,945ft) | 16L/34R - 4,850m (15,910ft)

  Airlines:

  Qatar Airways

  Terminals:

  Terminal 1