‍CHICAGO — Finnair (AY) marked a significant milestone today, celebrating 10 years since launching nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Helsinki Airport (HEL). 

The Finnish flag carrier first touched down in Chicago on June 13, 2015, inaugurating what remains the only direct connection between Finland and the U.S. Midwest.

Initially launched with three weekly frequencies, the Chicago-Helsinki route was designed to feed American Airlines' (AA) oneworld hub at ORD while offering Midwestern travelers convenient access to Northern Europe. 

A decade later, AY now operates up to daily flights on the route during the summer peak, utilizing its Airbus A330 fleet. The 2025 summer schedule increases capacity compared to 2024, which saw up to five weekly flights.

During the peak summer 2025 season, Finnair operates daily flight AY10 from Chicago O’Hare to Helsinki, departing at 21:30 and arriving in Helsinki at 14:15 the following day. On the return leg, flight AY9 departs Helsinki for Chicago at 16:00 on Saturdays, arriving at 17:25. From Monday to Friday and on Sundays, flight AY9 departs slightly later at 16:25, arriving in Chicago at 17:50.

The Chicago service is part of Finnair’s broader U.S. expansion this year. Alongside the increased frequencies from Chicago, Finnair is also adding flights from Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Seattle to Helsinki, supplementing its existing services at New York JFK. All flights are timed to offer seamless connections via Helsinki to over 25 Nordic and four Baltic destinations, with transfer times as short as 40 minutes thanks to single-terminal operations at HEL.

Comments from Finnair, Chicago Officials

Finnair’s North American General Manager, Javier Roig Sanchez, emphasized the success and growth of the Chicago route:

"From our first flight back in 2015, this service has proved popular with customers based in the Midwest, with the connection between Chicago and Helsinki now operating up to daily during peak periods. With demand for travel to Finland continuing to rise, we are excited to see what the future holds for us in Chicago, and we look forward to welcoming more customers onboard in the next 10 years, and beyond."

Chicago’s Department of Aviation Commissioner, Michael McMurray, also celebrated the airline’s decade-long partnership with O'Hare:

"On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson, I’m proud to celebrate a decade of successful partnership between Finnair and O’Hare International Airport connecting Chicagoans to Helsinki. This service has grown and evolved over the past 10 years, and I look forward to building on that success as we strengthen ties between Chicago and northern Europe for years to come."

Finnair passengers from Chicago can experience the airline’s fully upgraded long-haul cabin, following a US$213 million fleet-wide investment. The A330s flying the route feature Finnair’s latest Business Class suites, newly introduced Premium Economy, and refreshed Economy Class interiors.

The growth reflects increasing American interest in Finland as a destination. According to Visit Finland, over 445,000 Americans visited Finland in 2024—a 16% rise from the prior year, making the U.S. the fourth-largest inbound tourism market for Finland.

Stay tuned to Airways for a special report on AY's westward expansion and growth plans as the airline pivots to the North American market—a strategically smart move given that the Siberian airspace closure, particularly for flights between Europe and Asia, has significantly impacted global aviation for the last three years.