Cult Nordic airline brings blueberry juice and sleek design to Australian skies

Sipping signature blueberry juice surrounded by Marimekko motifs and sleek Nordic design, Australian travellers can now get a taste of Finnish flair at 35,000 feet.

Finland's national carrier, Finnair, touched down in Melbourne on October 26, launching a regular daily service to Helsinki aboard an Airbus A350 with a stopover in Bangkok.

The new route opens up fresh connections for travel throughout south-east Asia and offers access to about 90 destinations across Europe.

On board, travellers can choose between economy, premium economy and business classes, with the front of the plane offering contoured AirLounge seats that convert to lie-flat beds.

Griffith University associate professor of marketing Dr Gavin Northey said Finnair's aesthetic taps into a design movement Australians already know and love.

Nordic minimalism has long influenced Australian interior design, making clean lines and simple styling a familiar symbol of modern taste.

"People have become really familiar with that concept of Nordic minimalism, so when they step on board Finnair, it feels completely natural and appropriate," Dr Northey said.

The marketing expert said Finnair's signature blueberry juice was more than just a refreshment, calling it a central pillar of the airline's sensory brand identity and a viral status symbol in the social media age.

"You just don't see blueberry juice anywhere else," Dr Northey said.

The airline is tempting Australian travellers with the idea of a white Christmas, offering easy access to Finnish Lapland, the "home of Santa Claus".

Mark Trim, managing director of Australian-based travel agency Flatbeds, said Finnair is tapping into booming demand among Australians for travel across Scandinavia, including to Norwegian fiords, Iceland and Svalbard.

"This is a growing market, with light adventure travel and active holidays in that region," Mr Trim said.

Travellers hoping the new daily service will bring down airfares may be disappointed, with prices in business and premium economy climbing since the route was introduced.

"If anything, we've probably seen a 20 to 30 per cent uplift of the front of the cabin price points in the last six to 12 months," he said.

However, at the back of the plane it is a different story, with strong competition expected to keep economy seats affordable.

Melbourne is now the only Australian city to be served by an airline from the European Union, with the service estimated to be worth $190 million a year to the Victorian economy.

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said she was thrilled with the arrival, describing Finnair as one of the world's oldest and most well-respected airlines.

"Finnair has today joined a long list of the world's top airlines in making Melbourne its Australian gateway," Ms Argus said.

"The airline's award-winning Helsinki hub is recognised as one of Europe's most convenient transit points, with onward connections available to around 90 destinations on the continent."

As more airlines head to Melbourne, Ms Argus said the airport was investing $4.5 billion into an international terminal expansion, including the addition of a third runway.