Originally Posted by
flyerCO
Not sure what's going on with HEL. DL/KLM/AF all have been allowing Business tickets from the US to HEL for around $2500 for a couple of weeks. It seems like HEL is the place to go in Europe for cheap business class seats. Went on two nights ago, and DL/AF/KLM all had flights from various cities in the US (including West coast LAX/SFO) for around $2500.
The only catch seemed to be that regardless of whom you bought it from (DL/AF/KLM) that in order to get the deal you had to fly on AF/KLM metal for the transatlantic flight. ie LAX-AMS/CDG-HEL works, LAX-ATL-AMS/CDG-HEL works as long as the ATL-AMS/CDG flight is operated by KLM/AF regardless of how it's marketed.
HEL is the hub of Finnair. SkyTeam (DL/AF/KLM) has been attacking OneWorld (to which Finnair belongs) business fares in response to OW attacking DL hubs earlier this month. Same reason why there have been tons of cheap business fares from BCN and MAD, Iberia's two primary airports. They can't attack LHR because they have a competitive product there in VS.