Finnair to highlight local delicacies as a birthday treat

Finnish national airline Finnair is launching celebrations of the country's 100th birthday with a series of special on-board meals on both economy and business class flights. 

"The collaborations, which intend to promote Finland’s healthy and hearty food culture, are being rolled out in co-operation with the ELO Foundation, an association dedicated to the promotion of Finnish food culture," said Geoff Stone, regional general manager for Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. 

Economy class 

For economy class customers on long-haul flights from July 5 to January 9, 2018, Finnair is partnering with the ELO Foundation and the Cygnaeus elementary school in Turku to create meals inspired by Finland’s school meals. 

The meals were selected by students from the Cygnaeus school during a workshop at Finnair’s catering premises, and tailored to fit the aircraft environment. The meals selected by the students include traditional Finnish favourites such as potatoes and meatballs as well as macaroni and meat casserole. 

Business class 

For business class customers flying out of Helsinki on long-haul flights between October 4 and January 9, 2018, Finnair signature menu chef, Eero Vottonen, has put together an exclusive 100 years’ themed menu to celebrate the culinary nuances of Finnish food. 

The menu features delicacies such as Baltic herring, a traditional Karelian hot pot stew and a cep mushroom soup flavoured with cured elk. “When creating Finnair’s centennial menu, I reflected on what Finland and its food culture represent for me,” he said.

“It’s a big honour for me to collaborate with Finnair on this initiative and I’m excited to have the opportunity to introduce the tastes of Finland to thousands of passengers travelling through Finland with Finnair.”

For business class customers flying to Helsinki on most long-haul flights between the same dates the menus served on Finnair’s flights will feature elements including pickled salmon, rainbow trout and a Karelian stew with beef and pork. 

Finnair will also celebrate Finland’s 100 years by offering rye bread and Karelian pies during the meal service on board its long-haul flights. Both items featured in the top three when nearly 50,000 Finns voted in a public call to find Finland’s national food as a tribute to the country’s centennial anniversary.

Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with an emphasis on fast connections via Helsinki, carrying more than nine million passengers annually and connecting 17 cities in Asia and three cities in North America with more than 60 destinations in Europe. It offers excellent connections from Australia with OneWorld partners. www.finnair.com/au