Finnair has been the Official Airline of Santa Claus since 1983. This year, two of Finnair's Airbus 321 Sharklet aircraft take to the skies in Christmas livery. They have already flown to many of Finnair's European destinations, as well as other destinations such as Dubai.

As a partner of the Santa Claus Foundation, Finnair's blue and white wings fly Santa to many countries around the world to bring joy to children and adults alike. Santa's world tour covers China, Japan and Korea, along with several European destinations.

Finnair has also increased its flights to Lapland in the early part of the winter travel season, particularly from Helsinki to Kittilä, Ivalo and Rovaniemi. Flights from these cities and Kuusamo have been scheduled to offer passengers even more convenient connections from Lapland via Helsinki to Europe and Asia.

"Santa Claus is a tremendously important element of Finland's image in Asia as well as Europe, and Finnair is pleased to support this as the Official Airline of Santa Claus. Additional flights to Lapland give Finnish and international passengers the opportunity to experience Finnish Lapland as a Christmassy and wintry destination," says Jarkko Konttinen, Vice President, Marketing & Product at Finnair.

The holiday spirit is also reflected on Finnair flights in a special Christmas menu by chef Pekka Terävä. The Christmas menu is served in Business class on long-haul flights from Helsinki between November 26 and December 30. The menu includes Christmas starters such as rainbow trout gravlax, with poached duck and roasted cod as the choices of main course. Mulled wine and gingerbread cookies are also served on flights.

Finnair has also launched a new video directed by Finnish writer and director Jalmari Helander featuring Santa Claus and the big secret of Christmas.

Contributed by Finnair