Does your booking include a connecting flight operated by a different airline? Or do you have a Finnair flight as a connection from another airline?
For these so-called interline journeys, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how to prepare.
Here are key topics to help you understand how your journey works when it includes more than one airline.
When your journey includes flights with different airlines, you usually need to check in with the airline operating the first flight of each bound of your trip.
Example:
Please note:
Your checked baggage allowance until you reach your destination depends on which airline is the Most Significant Carrier (MSC).
Based on this, your ticket should always show the correct baggage allowance.
In most cases, your checked bags will be sent all the way to your final destination. However, on some journeys, you may need to collect your bag and check it in again during transit. Make sure to confirm it with the check-in crew when you hand in your baggage.
Want to know which airline is the Most Significant Carrier for your trip? Check our baggage allowance guide for interline journeys.
Carry-on baggage allowance is always determined by the operating airline. Please check your ticket.
On interline journeys, extra bags or special bags cannot be purchased online. You will need to purchase them at the airport.
As a general rule, seat selection is available on the operating airline’s websites.
For flights operated and marketed by Finnair, you can reserve a seat during booking, in Manage booking or during check-in.
For flights operated by Finnair but booked via another airline, you can reserve your seat via Manage booking. Exception: If you have booked your flight via Qatar Airways, please contact them directly to select your seat.
For flights operated by a partner airline, please go to their website or contact them directly.
For all long-haul flights operated by Finnair, regardless of your travel class, you can request a special meal via Manage booking.
For short-haul flights operated by Finnair, you can request a special meal in Business Class via Manage booking. In Economy Class, pre-order meals are available for purchase on most flights. You can order a meal that suits your dietary needs by checking the ingredients before purchase.
For flights operated by other airlines, please go to the operating airline’s website or contact them directly to inform them about special dietary requirements.
For most short-haul flights operated and marketed by Finnair, you can pre-order a meal while booking, via Manage booking, the Finnair app or during online check-in.
For flights operated by other airlines, please go to the operating airline's website for information on available onboard snacks and beverages for purchase.
If you are departing from Helsinki and your flight is operated and marketed by Finnair, you can purchase Finnair lounge access via Manage booking, the Finnair app, during online check-in or our customer service.
Please note that we do not sell access to other lounges at Helsinki or other airports.
In order to buy other airports’ lounge access, please contact the operating airline.
To request the wheelchair service or other special assistance, please submit the special assistance form as early as possible, so we have enough time to add the service to connecting flights with other airlines.
However, please note that the service might not always be automatically confirmed for other airlines. In that case, we will let you know and advise you to contact the other airlines for confirmation.
As pet policies vary between airlines, a pet in cabin service booked via Finnair will not automatically apply to flights operated by other airlines.
Please ensure that you always contact each operating airline to book and confirm the pet in cabin service.
On interline journeys, travelling with a pet in the aircraft hold is not possible. We advise that you consider another route where the service is available throughout the journey.
If all the flights in your booking are marketed and operated by Finnair or Norra, you can request to travel with a pet in the hold via our customer service.
On interline journeys, unaccompanied minor service is not available. If an adult cannot travel with your child, we advise that you consider another route where the service is available throughout the journey.
If all the flights in your booking are marketed and operated by Finnair or Norra, you can request an unaccompanied minor service via our customer service.
For flights operated by Finnair, you can purchase internet access and other travel extras during booking or via Manage booking. Please note that the availability of travel extras may vary by flight.
For flights operated by other airlines, please go to their websites or contact their customer service.
Need to reserve a seat, request a meal or add travel extras? You can do it easily through Manage booking for Finnair-operated flights.
The operating airline is the one that runs the flight. It may be different from the airline you booked with, known as the marketing airline. For example, even if you booked your trip with Finnair, one of the flights might be operated by a partner airline.
You can find the operating airline in your booking confirmation or on your e-ticket.
In most interline bookings, yes, your baggage will be checked through to your final stop.
However, some journeys might require you to collect and re-check your bag during transit. Always make sure to confirm with the check-in crew when checking in the bags.
If flights are on the same ticket, airlines usually coordinate to help you continue your journey. However, support depends on the operating airline.
Always start by checking the website or messages from the airline operating the affected flight, and contact them directly for assistance.