The first step has been taken to enable Finnair to join British Airways and Japan Airlines in their successful joint business on flights between Europe and Japan. The three airlines intend to cooperate commercially by sharing revenue and by coordinating flight schedules and fares in order to offer greater benefits to customers travelling between Europe and Japan. The new joint business arrangement is subject to regulatory approvals. Bringing Finnair into the agreement will not only strengthen the joint business, it will also enable the oneworld alliance to compete more effectively around the world with other global alliances. British Airways and JAL entered into a joint business arrangement in October 2012 providing their customers with better links between the EU and Japan, with more flight choices and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. The addition of Finnair to the joint business will further enhance these customer benefits and allow the three airlines to cooperate on expanding their presence within and to and from this important market.
Furthermore, as of July 1st, Finnair joined the transatlantic joint business founded by fellow oneworld alliance members American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. As of July 2nd, Finnair customers flying to North America can book flights to dozens more North American cities on one single ticket. Customers of the other three airlines now also have better access to 13 cities in Finland and the rest of Europe, thanks to efficient Nordic and Baltic connections from Finnair’s Helsinki hub.