Runway: the Finnair blog

In the summer of 1969, as the Americans were landing on the moon, Finnair was staking out new territory: Atlantic crossings. This was a great leap forward for the company.

The launch of the new route was preceded by monumental preparation. The company wanted to arrive in style and to make a lasting impression. Finnair wanted to show everything that being Finnish represents, including design, style and service. All foremost Finnish designers were employed to create the display. Something unparalleled in the airline world had begun.

The first aircraft were named after Jean Sibelius and Paavo Nurmi. One carried Finland to the world on wings of song, and the other was a legendary runner, also known as the Flying Finn. The aircraft tails were painted with graceful blue and white Finnish flags.

Space travel was the theme of the age. Finnair’s new aircraft type, the Douglas DC-8, represented the height of aviation technology at the time. The aircraft had a revolutionary navigation system, similar to that of the spacecraft that took Neil Armstrong and the first astronauts to the moon. The aircraft was described as “the million dollar brain”.

Finland’s top talent was consulted in designing the interior of the aircraft and an expansive service upgrade was implemented. The crew’s uniforms were designed in the spirit of the Space Age, the interior colour scheme was transformed, bars and social spaces were introduced into First Class, and dining services were Finnish design at its very best.

Cabin tables could not have been laid out more splendidly. In the days of first-class affluence, no corners were cut in the catering program. Everything from service to settings was top of the line. Black Beluga caviar and chilled Finlandia Vodka kick-started transatlantic luncheons. For years caviar was lavishly ladled out of huge bowls for the delectation of travelers.

Designer Tapio Wirkkala was entrusted with the comprehensive planning of the dining service, while glass, porcelain and metal were given new forms. The table linens were created of linen damask by Dora Jung and they featured a circular pattern familiar from the days of wooden aircraft propellers.

Wirkkala’s glassware, the now classic Ultima Thule, was produced by Iittala and introduced on Finnair’s New York route. It became so popular, that it was soon available in department stores and has remained a favourite item of Finnish design.

Wirkkala designed novel cutlery for the flights, with knives that resembled quill pens. But due to their very beauty they were destined to disappear. The pieces were so admired that they began to vanish by the thousands, a volume impossible to replace and a switch to more mundane models was made.

A modern rectangle suited the contours of the new mocha and coffee cups. Tapio Wirkkala’s porcelain is still in use at Finnair, displaying a blue decorative motif circling the plate brim, with bevies of Finnair logos taking wing.

Finnair Hostesses especially trained to work on these flights charmed passengers in the cabin, wearing new designer uniforms every year. While other crew members were responsible for service, their job was to offer individual service, to offer information on Finland to foreign visitors, to entertain and converse with customers. On their long dresses they wore the first in Björn Weckström’s series of outer-space silver accessories exemplifying the spirit of the age. Designer Kari Lepistö created a silver outfit, displaying the space travel theme.

All this was topped with winter head wear of sapphire mink. Finnair wanted to arrive in style, and no effort was spared to achieve that effect.

Senja Larsen

Ps. A story from the early days. Among the first passengers on the route was Finnish President Urho Kekkonen. The route was new, the DC-8 Finnair’s pride, and buns the favoured hair style. The president sported a trade-mark bald pate. According to stories, the president made his way to the First Class bar. To the horror of the cabin crew, he found a hair pin on the bar, scrutinized it and remarked: “Well, this certainly did not fall from my head.”

For more New York launch stories, please refer to the Finnair group site. More pictures and high res versions in our gallery.