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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.