Emirates has announced plans to launch a new daily service between Helsinki, Finland and Dubai from 1 October 2026, further expanding the airline’s presence in the Nordic region. The route will mark the only year-round, direct air link between Finland and the United Arab Emirates, opening up new opportunities for both leisure and business travellers.
The new service will be operated by Emirates’ latest-generation A350 aircraft, bringing the airline’s newest onboard products to Finland from the inaugural flight. This includes Emirates’ highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin, alongside Business and Economy Class offerings.
Flight Schedule and Global Connectivity
Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 08:45, arriving in Helsinki at 14:55. The return service, EK168, will leave Helsinki at 16:45, landing in Dubai at 00:20 the following day.
The schedule has been designed to provide seamless onward connections via Dubai to Emirates’ extensive global network. Travellers from Finland will gain convenient access to key destinations across East and Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei. The route also offers strong connectivity across West Asia, the Indian Ocean, major hubs in the Middle East and GCC, African cities such as Cairo, Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as all five Australian cities served by Emirates, with further connections to Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.
Boosting Tourism to Finland
Tourism remains a vital pillar of Finland’s economy, with Visit Finland reporting around five million international visitors in recent years. Emirates’ new route will connect Helsinki to over 150 destinations worldwide, supporting growing demand from markets across Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Named by Lonely Planet as one of its must-visit destinations for 2026, Finland offers year-round experiences ranging from Arctic adventures beneath the Northern Lights to the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun in summer. Nature plays a central role in the country’s appeal, with 41 national parks and nature reserves protecting vast forests, Baltic islands, Arctic fells and pristine lakes. Visitors may also encounter rare wildlife such as reindeer, wolves, bears, lynx and the Saimaa ringed seal, found only in Lake Saimaa.
Helsinki: A Hub for Business and Leisure
For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world, a reputation reflected in its capital city. Helsinki seamlessly blends urban living with easy access to nature, making it an attractive destination for both business and leisure travellers. Known as the birthplace of sauna culture, the city offers insights into Finnish wellbeing alongside a vibrant design scene, a thriving culinary landscape and tranquil lakes and forests just minutes from the city centre.
Strengthening Trade and Cargo Links
Beyond tourism, the new route is set to strengthen already robust bilateral ties between the UAE and Finland, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, advanced technology, education, space and sustainable development. Trade between the two countries continues to grow, and Emirates’ Helsinki service is expected to further support Finnish businesses through Emirates SkyCargo.
With 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity per flight, the airline anticipates transporting key commodities including pharmaceuticals, electronics, machinery, perishables and other high-value goods. Finland’s role as a major European hub for advanced technology manufacturing and timber exports is expected to benefit from the enhanced connectivity.
Emirates A350 Brings Latest Cabin Experience
The Dubai–Helsinki route will be served by the Emirates A350, the newest aircraft type to join the airline’s all-widebody fleet. As the most fuel-efficient large widebody aircraft currently in commercial service, the A350 also features the quietest twin-aisle cabin of any aircraft.
Configured to carry 298 passengers across three cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy, the aircraft offers bright, spacious interiors and the latest in-flight technology. Passengers can enjoy regionally inspired, multi-course meals created by Emirates’ award-winning culinary team, paired with a wide selection of premium beverages. The onboard experience is rounded out by ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, featuring more than 6,500 channels of content in multiple languages.
