Major Aussie airport gets new daily flights to Europe via Bangkok

Get ready for more flights to Europe from Australia with Finnair launching daily flights from October 2026.

The new service will connect Melbourne to Helsinki, via Bangkok, using Airbus A350 aircraft, with 90 destinations in Europe on offer.

Previously Finnair flew from Australia using its partner Qantas (Oneworld) for codeshare.

Beginning October 2026, flight AY146 will depart Melbourne every day at 3:40pm, arriving in Bangkok at 8:50pm and then Helsinki at 6:05am the following day.

The return flight AY145 will leave Helsinki just after midnight, stopping in Bangkok at 4:30pm and landing in Melbourne at 7:15am the following morning.

Finnair area vice president Pasi Kuusisto said the route would appeal to both business and leisure travellers.

"Melbourne is home to a large European diaspora, foreign students, and expatriates, making this route an attractive choice," Mr Kuusisto said.

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus highlighted the economic and tourism benefits.

Victoria is poised to gain $190 million a year from the new flights.

Read more on Explore:

"Finnair will become one of just a few European airlines to operate to Australia with its own aircraft," Ms Argus said.

"These new flights will bring families together and support thousands of jobs in Victoria's world-class tourism, dining, and hospitality sectors. An average daily international flight is worth $190 million to the Victorian economy, so Finnair's decision is a huge vote of confidence."

The introduction of Finnair flights comes as Melbourne Airport prepares for a record summer, expecting more than 2.5 million passengers through its international terminal across December and January.