New Oneworld route: Finnair to add nonstop flights between Toronto and Helsinki
Next year, Finnish carrier Finnair plans to relaunch flights to Canada for the first time in a decade, making it easier to reach what has been dubbed the world's happiest country.
Starting May 4, 2026, the carrier will once again plan to fly between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Helsinki Airport (HEL) three times per week during the summer, Finnair shared with TPG. The flights will operate on the airline's Airbus A330 aircraft and will feature a mix of business class, premium economy and economy seats.
When it launches, the new route will mark the first time Finnair is flying to Canada since 2015, and it'll represent the only direct connection between the two countries.
"Canada is fast becoming one of the most popular long-haul destinations for Europeans, while the Nordics are also hotting up among North American travelers, so we are confident that this route will prove a hit with both business and leisure travellers heading across the Atlantic," Javier Roig Sanchez, Finnair's general manager for North America, said in a statement shared with TPG. He added that the route "signals our commitment to the North American market, and the importance this plays in Finnair's business."
The new route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays on the following schedule:
- From Toronto to Helsinki departing at 11:40 p.m. EDT, arriving in Finland at 2:45 p.m. local time the next day
- From Helsinki to Toronto departing at 4:50 p.m. local time, arriving in Canada at 6:35 p.m. EDT
The new flights will make it easier for travelers to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles when heading to Europe since Finnair is a member of the Oneworld alliance. The route will also make it easier to earn and redeem Avios following Finnair's decision to adopt the popular system for its Finnair Plus loyalty program last year; it joins major carriers British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways in using the loyalty currency.
Another option for frequent flyers to earn and burn on the new route comes from Alaska Airlines, which is Oneworld's newest member in North America.
Beyond Toronto, Finnair also offers direct flights to Helsinki from several other cities in the U.S.: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, Miami and Seattle. From Helsinki, travelers can then connect to dozens of other cities across Europe with flights specifically timed to line up with its North American routes for easy connections.
Related reading:
- Finnair Plus: How to earn and redeem Avios, elite status and more
- How to transfer Avios between your Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Loganair and Qatar Airways accounts
- 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways
- 9 European summer destinations to beat the heat
- What it's like to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Finland's Arctic to see Santa