‘Tis the Season: Finnair lands at Heathrow with Official Santa Claus

Santa Claus travelled with his Official Airline for a pre-Christmas tour

Finnair, the Official Airline of Santa Claus, landed at Heathrow Airport yesterday with a very special customer on board, as it officially starts the countdown to Christmas.

Exactly one month before the big day, the most famous Finn, Santa Claus, flew with Finnair from Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi to London as part of an international tour, spreading Christmas joy around the world.

Touching down at Heathrow for a pre-Christmas visit, Santa Claus was spotted disembarking the Nordic carrier’s A350, before declaring ‘a sleigh-load of joy’ at customs and collecting his iconic gift sack from baggage reclaim.

After putting Heathrow in the holiday spirit, Santa was seen dashing through the terminal before catching the Heathrow Express to Paddington, which proved to be as fast as he ho-ped.

This visit marks Finnair’s new bumper winter schedule from the UK, which not only includes six daily flights from Heathrow to Helsinki, up from four last winter, but also the airline’s record schedule to Finnish Lapland.

This winter, Finnair will offer up to 63 flights a week between Helsinki and Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus – over 25% more flights than last winter.

Customers heading for Rovaniemi can now choose from flights departing as often as every 30 minutes during peak periods, giving the airline a unique shuttle service to the Arctic Circle.

The increased capacity to Rovaniemi will support Finnair’s existing network of 15 destinations in Finland, including Lapland’s other most popular gateways – Ivalo, Kittilä and Kuusamo.

Anssi Partanen, Finnair Market Director Europe, said: “We are incredibly excited about bringing the real Finnish Santa Claus to the wonderful city of London, exactly one month before the big day.

“As part of the international tour, London is specifically important as it is the biggest Finnair hub outside our home hub Helsinki. In fact, we have just added two more daily departures from Heathrow, now flying six times daily to our home in Helsinki.”

Spencer Adaway, Heathrow Director of Operational Delivery, said: “The holiday season is all about spreading the Christmas spirit for our passengers at Heathrow and Heathrow Express. We can’t wait to welcome Santa Claus and Finnair, as the Official Airline of Santa, to help spread that joy and magic around the terminals. I’m sure our passengers will be delighted with the very special guest visitor helping them get their holidays off to a festive start.”

Those looking to take a trip to Lapland, can enjoy year-round flights to a range of airports in the heart of Lapland, including Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus.

Those looking for an Arctic adventure in Lapland can enjoy return fares from London starting at £218, including all taxes and charges.

Today, the airline continues to support Santa in his work to spread Christmas cheer through its charity partner, The Santa Claus Foundation. Established in 2000, Claus’ foundation is dedicated to improving children’s well-being around the world.

Finnair has been the Official Airline of Santa Claus since 1983 and each Christmas, the Finnish airline proudly flies Santa Claus from his home in the Arctic Circle to destinations around the world, giving those around the world a chance to feel the magic of Christmas at home.

For more information on Finnair, visit finnair.com