iamife

Now I understand this point. Never thought about this all these times I have been flying to the WestCoast... Already decided to start the BA route anyway and dump AY at last.

harri

http://www.finnairgroup.com/mediaen/...ss_696001.html

Published: 2013-07-01 11:10:00 CEST

Finnair Plc
Press release

Finnair Enters Transatlantic Joint Business with American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia

Finnair has joined the transatlantic joint business founded by fellow oneworld® alliance members American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. As of tomorrow, July 2, Finnair customers flying to North America can book flights to dozens more North American cities on one single ticket. Customers of the other three airlines now also have better access to 13 cities in Finland and the rest of Europe, thanks to efficient Nordic and Baltic connections from Finnair’s Helsinki hub.

Earlier today, Finnair announced its intention to join the joint business agreement between oneworld members Japan Airlines and British Airways on traffic between Japan and the European Union. Both moves are examples of Finnair pursuing tighter cooperation within the oneworld alliance to improve network connectivity and better serve the needs of intercontinental customers.

The transatlantic joint business, first undertaken in October 2010 by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia, enables customers the following benefits when flying between North America and the European Union (plus Switzerland and Norway):

• The ability to mix and match flights on all four carriers for the most convenient scheduling and best pricing
• Smoother connections for onward destinations through coordinated schedules and oneworld Global Support centres in Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid Barajas, Miami and New York JFK
• Ability to book transatlantic codeshare flights for Finnair, American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia and via any of the airlines’ websites
• Greater benefits for Finnair Plus, Executive Club, Iberia Plus and AAdvantage loyalty program customers, including better opportunities to obtain and use miles on your transatlantic flight
• Integrated customer support – online, through call centres and at the airport
• Greater connectivity on all four airlines in case of disruption

As part of the transatlantic joint business, Finnair has added its (AY*) code to selected American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights between North America and Europe. American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia have also added their respective (AA*), (BA*) and (IB*) code to Finnair’s daily flights between New York and Helsinki. All together, the joint business now operates up to 102 daily round trips between North America and Europe, serving 42 gateways on either side of the Atlantic. Customers also have access to a further 163 onward connections in North America and 126 in Europe.

More flying Finns
Because of Finnair’s comprehensive European route network, besides New York and Chicago Finns now have the ability to book efficient, competitively priced one-stop connections to dozens more North American destinations via stopovers in such European cities as London, Madrid and Milan. Finland and the Baltic Rim is now much more accessible for North American travellers as well.

“The transatlantic joint business has been a big win for European consumers flying to America and vice versa, and now Finland will benefit too,” says Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo. “Finland is now only a one-stop journey away to many more North American cities, which is great news for Finnish firms doing business in the US, Canada or Mexico, and for leisure travellers as well. By the same token I look forward to more North American business and leisure travellers discovering the unique charms of Finnair and Finland as a result of this partnership.”

“This is an historic day as we welcome Finnair - an airline with a long and proud history - into the transatlantic joint business,” says American Airlines’ Chairman and CEO Tom Horton. “American Airlines is excited to see our transatlantic partnership grow and develop and we are confident that the addition of Finnair will only enhance and strengthen this relationship.”

“The addition of the Helsinki hub to our joint business network will bring faster and easier connections for customers on hundreds of city connections between Europe and North America,” says Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG). “Finnair is a great airline and we are delighted to now be able to offer their service to British Airways and Iberia customers.”

Further information: Finnair Media Desk, comms(a)finnair.com, tel. +358 9 818 4020.
Finnair: http://www.finnair.com
Photobank: http://gallery.finnair.com
Finnair Group website: www.finnairgroup.com

intuition

They are pushing for this with a points promo - earn at least 15000 points for revenue flights and awards with less points than usual. 150000 in business, and 235000 in first for example

https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/ajb-plus-benefits

SPBanker

Hmm, am I reading this correctly, i.e. we will get more AY+ points from OW TATL flights than before?

intuition

For this promo, even discount fare classes give 100%;

kmandrew

Little off point but I don't want to start a new thread. Around July 12 I will want to fly home HEL-LHR-OMA; fairly confident I will be able to get LHR-OMA on AA metal saver J class (50k AA miles one way). How difficult will it be to get the Finnair part, I will check 330 days in advance?

I see I could also try HEL-JFK-ORD-OMA or HEL-TXL-ORD-OMA on Air Berlin? Trying to stay away from BA/IB; I assume Finnair and AB do not have surcharges.

WilcoRoger

HEL-LHR shoud not be difficult - in the worst case in Y...

remymartin

10k AAmiles or 7500 Avios to TXL in Y. If you have a lot of luggage AB isn't the best option for you.

kmandrew

Wouldn't it be part of the 50k J AA award? I thought AA will fly me from HEL home for 50k no matter what the connecting cities are, as long as the award seats are available?

How does luggage come into it on AB, don't I get free luggage especially booking J?

remymartin

Sorry, thought you wanted to book 2 separate awards

I haven't checked, but HEL-JFK in J is afaik 30k AA miles so 50k sounds a bit steep. If you're booked in J on AB don't worry about baggages unless you go over 2 x 23kg.

There is no J in AB shorthaul, unlike AY or BA. This might affect your decision. Having said that, I find AB inflight service to be superiour to either AY or BA in Y.

kmandrew

I did not know this, good news as I can book JFK-OMA in F for 25k so if this route is available it will cost me 30k+25k. Now I'm thinking about it AA would still only charge me 50k as international J flies F US domestic; or I could book Y on the 2 domestic legs (JFK-ORD ORD-OMA) for 12.5k+30k. I will know fairly soon I have it down to call on AA August 15/16 to book a July 12 return.

aster

I take it the new "deal" will still allow BA status-holders to get extra luggage on AY whilst AY Silver will not be reciprocated on BA?

On a side note, the email from AY about this promo states: "flight awards from Europe to North America and vice versa can be redeemed with fewer points than before."

Has the required amount of miles been changed? Will this apply to just AY or OW awards, or both perhaps?

esledo

http://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/ajb-plus-benefits

aster

Any expectations as to what the promotional redemption rates will be?

esledo

http://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/ajb-plus-benefits

(I don't think there is any redemption campaign running on BAEC or AAdvantage?)