Finnair has become the first airline in the world to operate Airbus A321 aircraft equipped with new, fuel-saving Sharklet wing tip devices. The extended-range, single-aisle aircraft, which has the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint in its class, will be quieter and more comfortable for passengers than the older planes it replaces, as well as about seven per cent more fuel efficient per seat.

The first step has been taken to enable Finnair to join British Airways and Japan Airlines in their successful joint business on flights between Europe and Japan. The three airlines intend to cooperate commercially by sharing revenue and by coordinating flight schedules and fares in order to offer greater benefits to customers travelling between Europe and Japan.

Finnair has begun flying to Hanoi and Xi’an, further sharpening the airline’s strategic focus on transfer traffic between Asia and Europe. Currently the only European carrier offering direct connections between the two cities and Europe, Finnair also offers fast and efficient transfers to more than 60 European destinations via its Helsinki hub.

American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia celebrate a key milestone today as fellow oneworld alliance member Finnair announces its intent to join the transatlantic joint business, established by the three airlines in October 2010. Once Finnair joins the transatlantic joint business later this year, customers in North America and Europe will have increased choice of flights and services as well as more convenient connections to flights across the Atlantic.

Finnair is offering new destinations and frequencies for the summer season – running from March 31st to October 26th. New scheduled flight destinations include Antalya in Turkey, Tel Aviv in Israel, and Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

Global technology company Sabre Travel Network has teamed up with Finnair to sell its ancillary products to agencies using the Sabre GDS.  The two companies already have a distribution agreement in place.