Emirates, Dubai’s largest airline, is set to launch flights to Helsinki in Finland, which has been ranked “the world’s happiest country” by the UN’s World Happiness Report.
Emirates expanding into the Nordics
Emirates will launch a daily flight between Helsinki and Dubai from 1 October 2026, expanding its reach in the Nordics.
Finland has been ranked the world’s happiest country by the UN for the past eight years, and this spirit is encapsulated in the capital, Helsinki.
The new service introduces a direct link between Finland and the UAE, and unlocking expanded opportunities for both international leisure and corporate travellers. This service will also operate with Emirates’ newest aircraft type, the A350 aircraft, bringing its latest products and highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to Finland, from the opening flight.
The schedule for Dubai to Helsinki
The schedule for departing and returning flights for this launch is that Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 08:45 a.m. (GST) and is expected to arrive in Helsinki at 2:55 p.m. (GST) local time. The return flight, EK168 will depart Helsinki at 16:45 p.m. (GST), landing in Dubai at 00:20 a.m. (GST) the following day.
The Dubai-Helsinki route will be served by the Emirates A350. The A350 is the most fuel-efficient large widebody aircraft in commercial service today and also offers the quietest twin-aisle cabin of any aircraft. The A350 also accommodates 298 passengers in three spacious cabins (Business, Premium Economy and Economy), and brings the latest of Emirates’ products and services to Finland from launch, including latest tech touches and bright, airy cabins.
Passengers can dine in regionally inspired multi-course menus by award-wining chefs, while watching over 6,500 channels of global entertainment in various languages via Emirates inflight entertainment, ice.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said,
“The Dubai-Helsinki route is an exciting expansion on our global network. There is already strong demand between Helsinki and Dubai, with travellers connecting through our other Nordic gateways, so introducing direct, year-round connectivity is a natural next step, making the flight seamless and non-stop, while introducing more premium travel options to market. In addition to better serving current demand, we see potential to attract travellers who may have previously opted for alternative connections, growing the overall market and creating opportunities for more people to discover the destinations have to offer.”
He added:
“As one of the world’s most in-demand destinations, Finland offers a unique combination of innovation, nature and culture, unlocking new opportunities for tourism, trade and business with the UAE and beyond. To better cater to the long-haul travel, we will deploy the A350, delivering a premium passenger experience along with elevated comfort across every cabin class. We thank the Finnish government for their partnership and support in establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers onboard soon.”
Lonely Planet’s must visit destination
Finland was named as one of Lonely Planet’s must-visit destinations for 2026 as the Nordic country offer year-round experiences, from Arctic adventures beneath the beautiful Northern Lights to the Midnight Sun during the summer months.
Nature is at the heart of the Finnish tourism, as the country has 41 national parks and nature reserves protecting Finland’s green forests, Baltic islands, Arctic fells and pristine blue lakes. Visitors can also encounter rare wildlife, such as reindeer, wolves, bears, lynx and the Saimaa ringed seal, that is only found at Lake Saimaa. A drastic change in climate from Dubai for those wanting a change of scenery!
Beyond tourism, this link between the two capitals will establish a strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and Finland. Reinforced by mutual interest in renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, advanced technology, education, space and sustainable development.
Trade between the two nations continues to grow, and Emirates’ new service will fuel further opportunities for Finnish businesses to connect with the UAE and global markets, via Emirates SkyCargo.
Will you take advantage of Emirates new route to Helinski, Finland? Let us know in the comments below.
