Finnair has announced a surprise new long-haul destination for its expanding network: Melbourne!

The airline plans to begin service in late October 2026, operating daily with an Airbus A350 on a Helsinki–Bangkok–Melbourne routing.

The first flight is expected to operate on 25 October 2026, subject to government approval, and flights are scheduled to be available for booking from later today.

Finnair positions the new route as a two-way opportunity: for European travellers heading to Australia, and for Australians connecting via Helsinki into northern Europe and beyond.

According to the announcement, the schedule is designed to support connections and aircraft utilisation:

• Outbound: Depart Helsinki shortly after midnight, arrive Bangkok in the afternoon, then continue to Melbourne after a brief stop, arriving the following morning.
• Return: Depart Melbourne in the afternoon, stop in Bangkok in the evening, then arrive in Helsinki early the next day, timed to connect with morning departures across Europe.

Finnair’s current A350 long-haul Business Class product is built around the Collins “AirLounge” seat, designed with a fixed, contoured shell and no traditional recline.

Arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, Finnair describes the seat as intentionally “furniture-like,” aiming to increase personal space and allow multiple sitting positions (including sitting cross-legged), while still enabling a lie-flat sleeping surface. Instead of the seat moving, it’s all up to the passenger to rearrange and get comfortable!

The airline also offers premium economy in a 2-4-2 layout …

… and economy in a 3-3-3 layout.

Finnair says its 2026 network is planned to include 93 European destinations, 11 Asian destinations, seven North American destinations (including Toronto opening in summer 2026), and two Middle East destinations.

Finnair is a member of the oneworld alliance and counts Qantas as a partner for earning and redeeming frequent flyer points.

Qantas has announced the opening of its newly renovated and expanded International Lounge at Auckland Airport, scheduled to welcome passengers from December 17, 2025. The launch comes ahead of the peak summer holiday season and amid a broader expansion of the airline’s trans-Tasman network.

The new facility represents a significant upgrade from the previous space, with a footprint that is 60 percent larger. According to the airline, the lounge now has the capacity to accommodate over 370 customers and features dedicated zones designed for dining, working, and relaxation.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace stated that the new lounge is a key part of the airline’s investment in its global network, noting Auckland’s role as a major hub for connecting passengers across the Tasman and onto long-haul routes.

New Dining Concepts

A notable addition to the Auckland lounge is a dedicated à la carte dining area reserved for Platinum One and Platinum Frequent Flyers. This marks the first time such a feature has been introduced across the Qantas global lounge network.

The menu, curated by Qantas Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service Neil Perry, will focus on local New Zealand produce. Offerings include crumbed local fish and chips, alongside established airline staples such as salt and pepper squid and pavlova.

For other guests, the lounge offers a buffet, a gelato station, and a cocktail bar serving New Zealand wines, premium beverages, and barista-made coffee.

Design and Amenities

Designed by David Caon in collaboration with Architectus, Akin Atelier, and Simon James Design, the interior aims to reflect the local landscape. The space incorporates living green walls, travertine tiles, and terrazzo tabletops.

“We approached every element with careful attention to detail, pairing materials long associated with the airline’s palette with those introduced specifically to reflect the local region,” said Caon.

The lounge is furnished with bespoke pieces upholstered in New Zealand wool and leather. A focal point of the design is a four-metre artwork by artist Gabrielle Penfold, depicting North Head, Devonport.

To cater to modern traveler needs, 70 percent of the seating is equipped with charging points. The facility also includes 15 shower suites, intended to support passengers on long-haul journeys, such as the direct service between Auckland and New York.

Operational Expansion

The opening of the lounge aligns with Qantas’ plans to expand its operations in the region. The airline has indicated it will add new routes and increase capacity across the Tasman in 2026 to meet demand during peak travel periods, including the Christmas holidays and the April school break.

Qantas has operated the first commercial services with its new Airbus A321XLRs this morning, marking the aircraft’s debut in the Asia-Pacific and making Qantas the fourth airline globally to fly the type.

The inaugural services ran Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth, operated by the first two jets, Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB).

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson called the milestone a cornerstone of the carrier’s fleet renewal program, highlighting customer upgrades (including free high-speed Wi-Fi) and the extended range that will open new domestic and short-haul international opportunities, particularly across Southeast Asia.

The A321XLR features a wider, longer cabin than previous-generation narrowbodies, with higher ceilings, larger windows and increased overhead capacity – enough for roughly 60% more bags compared with Qantas’ Boeing 737s, according to the airline.

Qantas also says the type burns less fuel per seat than the 737s it replaces, enabling lower per-seat emissions on like-for-like sectors.

The economy cabin sports a 3-3 layout with seats featuring 30” pitch (same as the 737), 17.6” width (slightly wider than the 737), extra comfort cushioning, a leather 6-way adjustable headrest, dual USB A & C charging ports, a drop-down tablet holder for personal devices, and an adjustable meal table.

There are 20 business class seats up front with a 2-2 layout, featuring 37” seat pitch, 5” seat recline, wireless charging pads, 6-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests, dual USB A & C charging ports, in arm tray tables with a built-in tablet holder and extendable cocktail tables.

In August, the airline firmed an additional 20 A321XLRs; 16 of those will feature lie-flat Business seats for longer routes, including Perth transcontinental services and short-/medium-haul international flying.

Virgin Australia has introduced “Neighbour-Free Seating,” a paid option that lets Economy passengers keep the adjacent seat empty, beginning a progressive rollout across domestic and short-haul international services operated by Boeing 737 aircraft from September 2025.

The product will appear on select flights and expand over time.

The airline is offering two ways to secure the extra space.

Travellers can bid for a Neighbour-Free seat after booking: submit an offer, enter payment details, and receive a decision by email no later than two hours before departure (charges apply only if the bid succeeds).

On some flights within 48 hours of departure, customers may instead instantly purchase a Neighbour-Free seat and receive immediate confirmation.

Virgin Australia cautions that Neighbour-Free Seating remains subject to operational needs. Even after confirmation, the empty seat isn’t guaranteed; if the airline later reallocates the seat (for example, on a full flight) customers will be notified and automatically refunded.

Passengers who change or cancel their flight under their fare rules will forfeit the Neighbour-Free fee.

The option applies only to eligible Virgin Australia-operated flights booked on a Virgin Australia ticket. It excludes travellers seated in Business Class or Economy X.

Guests may bid for both a Neighbour-Free seat and an UpgradeMe Premium Bid to Business at the same time; if both succeed, the Business upgrade takes priority and the Neighbour-Free fee is automatically refunded.

Neighbour-Free Seating provides space only – it does not increase baggage allowances and cannot be used to store cabin bags on the spare seat (though a personal item may be stowed under the seat in front of it).

If another guest occupies the reserved seat at boarding or moves into it mid-flight, cabin crew can assist, and an automatic refund is issued where the airline has reassigned the seat.

Travellers can check eligibility and manage bids or purchases via Virgin Australia’s website and app as the rollout continues. Pricing varies by route and will be displayed during the offer or purchase flow.