Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, has revealed a new Marimekko-inspired livery along with updated tableware, blankets and pillows. The Helsinki-based airline, celebrating its 90th anniversary, collaborated with Finnish design house Marimekko to create a blue-forest livery based on the Marimekko print Metsänväki (“forest dwellers”) applied to an Airbus A330. This aircraft will serve transatlantic flights to New York and Finnair’s routes across Asia. It complements the Airbus A340 that debuted last October featuring Marimekko’s Unikko (“poppy”) print.
“With our Marimekko cooperation, we want to bring timeless yet modern Finnish design to the travel experience of Finnair customers,” said Anssi Komulainen, senior vice president of customer service at Finnair.
“The Metsänväki print by Kristina Isola is a strong statement about the Finnish spirit and the forest-inspired energy that makes Finns tick. The print combines the majesty and fairy-tale-like magic of the Finnish forest,” said Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, creative director at Marimekko. “This makes it an ideal greeting from Finland, carried on the blue and white wings of Finnair around the world.”
Marimekko for Finnair tableware and blankets © Monique Barrett
As part of the collaboration, Finnair will roll out new tableware, blankets, pillows and headrest covers this summer. Business class will feature Marimekko for Finnair porcelain tableware, designed to be lightweight to reduce aircraft weight and improve fuel efficiency, supporting a lower carbon footprint. Economy class service will include specially designed paper cups and napkins that reflect the partnership’s aesthetic.
Beginning in September, business class passengers can also enjoy refreshed menus developed by Finnish chefs Pekka Terävä and Tomi Björck. The offering includes four rotating menus — two for winter and two for summer — showcasing Finnish ingredients and seasonal produce. Dishes include specialties such as reindeer fillet with mushroom purée, oven-baked potatoes and organic barley.
New Finnair meals © Monique Barrett
“My menu is influenced by the purity of Finnish nature, taking advantage of Finnish natural ingredients such as seasonal vegetables and wild game and fish,” said Pekka Terävä.
“My chosen ingredients are meant to reflect the passion in modern Asian cuisine,” said Tomi Björck. His menus draw on Thai and Japanese flavors and offer both meat-based and vegetarian options, such as butternut squash seasoned with Asian spices, Japanese ramen noodles and spicy salmon.
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