Finnair Expands Reach to Mexico Through New Codeshare with American Airlines

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Finnair and American Airlines have announced a strategic expansion of their partnership, launching a new codeshare agreement that will provide Finnair customers with streamlined access to 12 destinations across Mexico. The collaboration, set to commence on January 23, 2025, enhances connectivity between Finland and one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the Americas.

Seamless Travel via Dallas-Fort Worth

Under this agreement, Finnair will place its flight code on American Airlines’ flights from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to key Mexican cities, including:

  • Mexico City (MEX)
  • Cancun (CUN)
  • Guadalajara (GDL)
  • Monterrey (MTY)
  • Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
  • Mérida (MID)
  • Oaxaca (OAX)
  • Cozumel (CZM)
  • Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (ZIH)
  • Guanajuato (BJX)
  • Querétaro (QRO)
  • San José del Cabo (SJD)

Tickets for these codeshare flights became available for purchase on January 13, with the routes officially launching on January 23. All flights will be operated by American Airlines and its regional subsidiary, Envoy Air.

Strengthening the Atlantic Joint Business Network

This move is part of Finnair’s ongoing commitment to expanding its long-haul connectivity. The airline, a key member of the Oneworld Alliance and the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement, benefits from deeper ties with American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. The new routes further integrate Finnair’s Helsinki hub (HEL) into the transatlantic travel ecosystem.

Fredrik Wildtgrube, Finnair’s SVP of Alliances and Airline Partnerships, highlighted the significance of this expansion:

“The cooperation opens up a comprehensive choice of destinations for our customers to Mexico, which is a popular travel destination from Finland and elsewhere in Northern Europe, especially during the winter. Besides Mexico, American Airlines offers our customers excellent connections via Dallas also to elsewhere in the United States and America.”

American Airlines, which operates more flights to Mexico than any other U.S. carrier, also sees value in the strengthened ties. Anmol Bhargava, American Airlines’ Vice President of Partnerships, emphasized the enhanced convenience for travellers:

“We are happy to offer Finnair customers smoother access to popular destinations in Mexico. The expansion will give customers more convenient connections on American’s expansive network from Mexico to Finland and beyond.”

A Win-Win for Travelers

For passengers, this development means increased flexibility, smoother itineraries, and enhanced loyalty benefits. With Finnair’s flight number on American Airlines-operated services, travellers can book their entire journey under one ticket, benefiting from seamless connections and baggage transfers. Additionally, Finnair Plus members will earn Avios and Tier Points across the entire trip, making the journey even more rewarding.

For example, a traveller from Helsinki heading to Cancún can now book a single Finnair ticket, check in once, and enjoy a smooth layover in Dallas without the hassle of rechecking bags or navigating multiple bookings. This integration ensures a more efficient and stress-free experience, particularly for leisure travellers looking for an easy getaway or business passengers with tight schedules.

Strategic Growth for Finnair

Finnair’s decision to deepen its partnership with American Airlines aligns with its broader strategy to optimize network reach without the need for direct operations. With the loss of Russian airspace access affecting some of its traditional long-haul routes, Finnair has been actively exploring alternative transatlantic and intercontinental connections. The airline’s commitment to Dallas-Fort Worth—currently operating up to a daily service in winter and scaling up to 11 weekly flights in summer 2025—demonstrates its intent to leverage strong partnerships for sustainable growth.

Finnair is not alone in facing these challenges. Other European carriers, including Lufthansa and Air France, have also had to rework their long-haul networks due to airspace restrictions, particularly affecting routes to Asia. Some have responded by shifting their focus towards North American expansion or strengthening alliances with partner airlines to maintain competitive connectivity. By strategically expanding its relationship with American Airlines, Finnair follows a broader industry trend of leveraging joint ventures and codeshare agreements to mitigate operational challenges and maintain its global footprint.

Looking Ahead: Could Finnair Operate Its Own Mexico Flights?

While the codeshare offers an immediate solution for connectivity to Mexico, it also presents an opportunity for Finnair to assess demand. If bookings and load factors on these routes perform well, the airline may consider launching direct flights from Helsinki to Mexico in the future.

However, launching direct services would come with challenges. The viability of such flights would depend on sustained demand from Finland and Northern Europe, competitive pricing, and aircraft availability. Additionally, operational factors such as fuel costs, crew logistics, and regulatory approvals could impact feasibility. Finnair last operated flights to Mexico in 2019, serving Puerto Vallarta (PVR), but currently has no plans for direct services in 2025.

Conclusion

This expanded codeshare agreement represents a significant step for both Finnair and American Airlines. For Finnair, it means greater access to a growing leisure market in Mexico, while for American Airlines, it strengthens the connectivity of its Dallas hub to Europe. For travellers, the partnership translates into better flight options, easier connections, and a more seamless experience overall.

By combining network strengths, optimizing passenger convenience, and reinforcing transatlantic ties, this collaboration ensures both airlines remain competitive in an evolving global travel landscape.

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Dan
Dan
Travelling on Points is the brainchild of a person who loves to travel and reap the benefits of doing so. Dan enjoys sharing the knowledge of travel as he believes that the more people travel the less narrow-minded, and more tolerant, people will be of each other.

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