Seattle and Chicago routes suspension from the end of August to the end of October 2024

Hotspot

Published Feb 6, 2024 Updated Feb 7, 2024

Latest update:

Clarified suspension time and dates of the last operation.

We are suspending the Seattle flights, AY33 HEL-SEA & AY34 SEA-HEL from September 2024 until 26 October 2024. We are also suspending the Chicago flights, AY9 HEL-ORD & AY10 ORD-HEL from September 2024 until 25 October 2024. The frequencies for both routes are cut gradually so that the last Seattle flight will operate on 31 August, and the Chicago flight on 1 September 2024. Both routes are suspended due to mandatory aircraft maintenance programme.

We will resume Seattle and Chicago flights again for the summer season of 2025.

Finnair has proposed a new connection to the customer and automatically updated the ticket.

In case the new schedule is not suitable for the customer, the SSR OTHS INVOL element in the booking permits one further free involuntary change and/or cancellation as per the below guidelines.

For bookings made via NDC: same policy applies and for booking handling contact our Agent Help Desk by clicking on the chat icon at the bottom right corner of the page (select NDC Support) for the change or cancellation.

Event	SEA & ORD routes suspension S24
Route/market/destination/airports impacted	SEA ORD
Travel dates impacted	SEA 27AUG24 - 26OCT24 ORD 23AUG24 - 25OCT24
Applies to tickets issued by	06FEB24
New travel dates	-14/+14 days from original travel date
Changes to origin/destination/stopover	Allowed between HEL and LAX/DFW/JFK Please note: Ground transportation costs will not be covered by AY as AA and AS have good options for domestic connx flights to/from allowed US airport.
Airlines allowed	Finnair (AY) only, rerouting to other AY Transatlantic flight + connection flight with our OW partners AA and AS (see below) or alternatively any AJB routing with AJB carriers (e.g. AA/BA connections via LHR). AA (American Airlines): For domestic flights between LAX/DFW/JFK-SEA AS (Alaska Airlines): For domestic flights between LAX/DFW/ORD/JFK-SEA
Booking class to be used	Same or lowest available booking class within same cabin
Number of allowed changes	One change free of charge, further changes according to normal ticket rules
Mandatory waiver text in OSI element	OS AY CHANGE DUE TO SEA ROUTE CNLD OS AY CHANGE DUE TO ORD ROUTE CNLD
Mandatory indicator in front of fare calculation on the reissued ticket	‘S’ -indicator
Mandatory text in the endorsement	SKCHG to be used for involuntary changes when there is more than 2 days before departure (together with ‘S’ indicator in the fare calculation).
Refunds	Full or partial refund allowed. Edifact bookings: Cancel the booking/remaining segments and refund the ticket directly in your own GDS. If that is not possible, apply for refund via BSPlink Refund Application. ARC-agents, see more information about refunds on general Refunds-instructions. NDC bookings: Before requesting refund, the booking must be cancelled. Booking can be cancelled using Manage booking on Finnair.com or by contacting Agent Help Desk. Apply for refund via BSPlink Refund Application. ARC-agents, see more information about refunds on general Refunds-instructions.
Bookings with connecting flights not in sync with new schedule	We have tried to keep all the connections which are on the same ticket but there might be cases where it is not possible to offer a smooth connection with the changed schedule; postpone the travel to a later flight/date in original booking class or cancel the booking for a full refund, rerouting to other airline is not allowed.
Ancillaries	The above-mentioned change policy applies also to ancillaries, for the one free change follow the ancillary instructions on Easy Refund allowed only in case a similar ancillary service is not available on the new flight. Process EMD refunds via BSPlink refund application (ARC users: apply for refund via Refund Web-form and mention “ARC Agent” in the additional information box)
Groups	If tickets have been issued, Finnair will re-route to alternative services If tickets have not yet been issued, Finnair will rebook on alternative Finnair operated flights. In case an alternative option is not available and therefore offered, please contact Finnair Group Sales Support for further information
Important information	Full instructions for involuntary changes are available here. “Finnair (AY) only” also includes those flights which are operated by NoRRA or by Iberia for Finnair/Widerøe for Finnair These same rules apply also to individual bookings with TO fares. Adhering to this policy is the user’s responsibility. Finnair reserves the right to change or withdraw these guidelines at any time.

More information about the customer communication at finnair.com.