Finland’s flag carrier and the country’s largest full-service legacy airline, Finnair, is set to expand its Arctic operations in 2026 with the introduction of its newest Norwegian destination, Alta, which will commence flights next summer.
Widerøe, Norwegian and SAS operate most flights to Alta, known as the ‘City of Northern Lights.’
Now, Alto will also be integrated into Finnair’s extensive Nordic network starting on 29 March 2026, with flights departing from the airline’s main hub in Helsinki.
The new route will include a stop in Kittilä, located in Finnish Lapland, enabling travelers to fly directly to Alta from Helsinki or choose to have a layover in Lapland for those wishing to enhance their journey above the Arctic Circle before proceeding to Northern Norway.
Service will be available five times a week throughout the summer season, utilizing the airline’s 68-seat ATR aircraft, with operations running until 22 October 2026.
Renowned for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and Arctic charm, Alta is emerging as a prime destination for adventurous travelers in Scandinavia. It is not only one of the best places in Europe to witness the spectacular Northern Lights but also features Northern Europe’s largest canyon.
Additional attractions include the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, the world’s northernmost igloo hotel, constructed from ice each winter, the Northern Lights Cathedral, and the UNESCO-listed Alta Rock Carvings.
In conjunction with this new route, Finnair is enhancing its Nordic network by providing more inter-Arctic shuttle services and increasing flight capacity across the region.