Blue Wings Active issue January 2016

ACTIVE ISSUE TRENDS, DESTINATIONS AND INSIGHTS FOR TRAVELLERS

JANUARY 2016

Your personal copy

THE NEW BREED OF

DESIGN BIKES

TESTING TRAFFIC

INNOVATIONS IN LAPLAND

SOUTH-EAST INDIA’S

FRENCH SECRET

Where to find the best

snow in Japan

World Premier of Axopar 37 at BOOT Dßsseldorf 23 – 31.1.2016

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Helsinki

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now, performance has a deeper meaning. the new princess s65.

BOOT Düsseldorf 23 – 31.1.2016

PRINCESS FINLAND Tel. +358 500 667754 info@princess.fi www.princess.fi

princessyachts.com PRINCESS S65

A member of the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton family

EDITORIAL

BY PEKKA VAURAMO CEO OF FINNAIR WWW.FINNAIR.COM

SANOMA MEDIA FINLAND HEAD OFFICE

CONTENT DESIGNER Amanda Soila VISUAL DESIGNER Sirpa Ärmänen SUB-EDITOR Shelly Nyqvist VISUAL ASSISTANT Iris Mark ENGLISH EDITING Silja Kudel REPROGRAPHICS Faktor Oy ON THE COVER Hanabi Ishikawa at Sahoro ski resort

by Petri Artturi Asikainen

ADVERTISING SALES Media Assistant Sirkka Pulkkinen tel. +358 9 120 5921 PUBLISHER Sanoma Media Finland PRINTED BY Punamusta, Joensuu, Finland 2016 PAPER UPM Valor 61g Cover paper Stora Enso LumiArt 200g CIRCULATION 60,000 ISSN-0358-7703

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Arja Suominen arja.suominen@finnair.com FINNAIR HEAD OFFICE Tietotie 9 A, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, 1053 Finnair, Finland, tel. +358 (0)9 818 81, Postal address: P. O. Box 15, 01053 Finnair, Finland CUSTOMER FEEDBACK www.finnair.com > Information and services > After the flight or by mail: Customer Relations, SL/08, FI-01053 FINNAIR. www.finnair.com, www.finnair.fi www.finnairgroup.com

F

or many, a new year is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start anew.

For Finnair, 2016 represents a year of dynamic growth.

We are in the middle of the biggest recruitment drive in the company’s history.

In addition to the approximately 70 pilots and 130 cabin attendants hired last year, we are recruiting 100 new pilots and 300 new cabin crew members. This spring some 50 people will also be hired to perform customer service tasks and other functions.

We recently acquired our first brand-new Airbus A350 aircraft. By April we will have five of these state-of-the-art airplanes in our fleet.

Finnair continues to expand its Asian

traffic, opening two Asian destinations, Fukuoka in Japan and Guangzhou in China for the 2016 summer season.

At the same time we are working hard to further develop the customer experience – I look forward to telling you more about that soon!

In this issue of Blue Wings we find out about Finnair’s Polar Night Magic Expedition in which five lucky travel bloggers get to spend three months in Lapland, we visit the wilderness on the outskirts of Helsinki and we get an adrenaline rush on the snowcovered slopes of Hokkaido in Japan.

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year!

Pekka Vauramo

3 wintry Finland tips

1

Ice swimming: Take a refreshing dip in a lake or the sea, followed by a hot sauna. The experience will leave you feeling invigorated and refreshed.

3

Lapland: Fly to Finnish Lapland, a veritable winter wonderland, for activities ranging from skiing to reindeer safaris and Northern Lights spotting.

2

Light art: Check out Lux Helsinki, which runs from January 6–10, and features a host of brilliant light installations.

VISIT FINLAND

EDITORIAL OFFICES Porkkalankatu 20 A, 00180 Helsinki, Finland, Postal address P.O.Box 100, 00040 Sanoma, Finland, tel. +358 9 1201, firstname.lastname@headofficefinland.fi

Here’s to a bright future!

MAURI TAHVONEN

SUBMISSIONS bluewings@headofficefinland.fi BLUE WINGS ONLINE www.issuu.com/headofficefinland

VISIT FINLAND

BEHIND THIS ISSUE Petri Artturi Asikainen, Tim Bird, Alexander Farnsworth, Kati Heikinheimo, Anna Huovinen, Laura Iisalo, Kirsti Kajanne, Silja Kudel, Mirva Lempiäinen, Jorma Leppänen, James O’Sullivan, Laura Palotie, Katja Pantzar, Anu Piippo and Juha Salminen

JANUARY 2016

BLUE WINGS

5

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ACTIVE 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

28

28

DESTINATION THE BEST SNOW IN JAPAN

Why ski junkies return to Hokkaido year after year

TOP 5 IRISH STYLEMAKERS

Dublin is much more than harps, leprechauns and knitwear

42

LIFESTYLE TRAVEL WITH BLOGGERS

Social media stars discover Finland’s surprising sides

LIFESTYLE BETTER TOGETHER

Sahoro ski resort in Hokkaido offers more than just downhill fun.

Meet three internationally successful Finnish design teams

SPORTS CYCLES WITH STYLE

Visiting some of the world’s most fascinating bike shops

BUSINESS AUTOMATION LEADER

How Finland became the top test field for traffic innovations

Historic St. Augustine for laid-back shopping

20 Polar Night Magic brings explorers to Finnish Lapland.

DESTINATION INDIA’S FRENCH SECRET

Pondicherry combines colonial history with all things spiritual

61 68

TAKEOFF STARTERS

Eco travel in Vietnam................. 13

NEWS

Shakespeare’s anniversary ...... 14

INNOVATIONS

Carbon-neutral orchestra ....... 16

42

48 56 66

DESTINATION FLORIDA’S EUROPEAN VIBE

Finnish berry powders go global.

38

MAKERS OF FINLAND

Designer Joanna Laajisto......... 18

FOOD&DRINK

Finnish berry powders ..................20

SPORTS

Gear up for the cold ................... 22

WORLD

Finnish wood designers ........... 24

FINLAND

Helsinki’s outdoor highlights..25

IN THE AIR WITH

Snow­boarder Enni Rukajärvi.. 26

TRAVEL TRENDS

Return of package holidays..... 27 JANUARY 2016

BLUE WINGS

7

IN THIS ISSUE Helsinki-based Pelago makes bikes for style-­ conscious riders.

66 St. Augustine in Florida is a haven for boutique shopping.

68

The true core of India’s Pondicherry lies in its marketplace.

56

REGULARS

Travel Moment.........................................10 Alexander Stubb.....................................40 Marja Makarow........................................64 Finland in figures.................................... 98

FLY FINNAIR

Tips for takeoff........................................ 80 Inflight wellbeing.................................... 81 Entertainment.......................................... 82

Vietnam, p. 13 England, p. 14 Helsinki, p. 25 Japan, p. 28

Shopping..................................................... 83 Sustainability............................................. 84 Border crossings..................................... 85 Helsinki Airport ....................................... 86 Maps and destinations......................... 88 Fleet.............................................................. 92 Frequent flyer benefits........................ 94 8 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

Check this month’s plusshop offers on page 97.

Dublin, p. 38 Florida, p. 66 India, p. 68

Elämäsi unet Jenseniltä.

Säädettävä vuode TAVALLISEN VUOTEEN HINNALLA!

Jensen on perinteikäs laatupatjojen valmistaja. Jensen Original -vyöhykejärjestelmä ja yksilöllinen säädettävyys tarjoavat ainutlaatuisen nukkumismukavuuden. Nyt sinulla on mahdollisuus nauttia elämäsi unista. Jensen Limited Edition Diplomat Dream -säätövuode, norm. 5.040,- NYT 2.990,-.

Vuoteen koko 180 x 200 cm. www.jensen.fi

www.vepsalainen.com

TRAVEL MOMENT

BY KYLE MOORE

IT’S A BEAR’S LIFE CLOSE TO THE Russian border, in the Kuhmo region of Finland, lies an area of the Taiga forest as wild and untouched as it gets within Europe.

Here roams one of the ­greatest predators in the world, the brown bear. It’s early spring and the bears are 10 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

now awakening from their long winter hibernation.

As the male bear enters the open ­forest, a heavy snow storm sets in, ­creating a layer of freshly fallen snow upon the bear’s thick fur. A sure reminder that winter isn’t quite letting go just yet.

JANUARY 2016

BLUE WINGS

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Innovation 360°

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Unique craftsmanship and diamond-shaped design

EACH OF IITTALA’S NEW RUUTU VASES IS A MASTERPIECE. BY COMBINING THEM, YOU’LL SEE THE LIGHT.

T

he collection was designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Their main idea was to challenge themselves and the craftsmen to create something unique.

“Glass is an organic material; it likes to be in round shapes. The diamond shape of Ruutu is a statement by the designers. It looks simple, but it’s made in a very sophisticated process,” explains Jeremiah Tesolin, Creative Director in Fiskars Living Products, Iittala’s parent company.

Truly and deeply so. Each vase is a simplified masterpiece, which takes seven craftsmen 24 hours to produce at the Iittala glass factory in Finland.

“The vases are mouth-blown into a steel mould and polished by hand. Each vase has the designer’s engraving on the bottom,” says Päivi Paltola, Senior Vice President of Fiskars Living Products.

The Bouroullec brothers were chosen to cooperate with Iittala because of their shared values.

“Iittala has worked with great masters over the years. Nowadays we collaborate with current and future great masters,” Paltola says. “We were very impressed with their work. They also share our values of progressive and enduring design.”

The diamond shape of Ruutu is a statement by the designers.

Intermingling sizes and colours The Ruutu Collection has five sizes and seven colours to choose from. The idea behind the shape is to mix different sizes and colours to capture light and transmit it into the home.

“The collection is based on functional and aesthetical quality. We see it as a combination – the light is intermingled like in watercolours, creating new shades when vases are collected together and combined,” Tesolin concludes.

Ruutu has been awarded the prestigious iF Product Design award and the Red Dot: Best of the Best Product Design award in 2015. ●

Jeremiah Tesolin and Päivi Paltola.

PRODUCED BY TAKEOFF CONSULTING GROUP OY

TAKEOFF

NEWS / INNOVATION / MAKERS OF FINLAND / FOOD AND DRINK / SPORTS / WORLD / FINLAND

N G S

nce so e i r fl o nai kly t ity. e Fin C e w inh i M om h C .c Ho nnair fi

VIETNAM

Cruise down memorable lane

TEXT BY SHELLY NYQVIST PHOTO BY ISTOCK

THE TRA SU INDIGO forest in An Giang ­province in south-west Vietnam is a good example of how ­conscious travel matters.

The dry forested area turns into a ­floating landscape in the autumn, which is the best ­season to travel in dory boats along the Mekong Delta flooded forest. Travellers can discover a world of rich ­biodiversity preservation like no other.

Touring this region not only supports the cultural and economic wellbeing of local communities, but also encourages a positive contribution to the environment.

An Giang ­is some five hour’s drive from ­Finnair destination Ho Chi Minh City.

JANUARY 2016

BLUE WINGS

13

TAKEOFF NEWS COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY MIRVA LEMPIÄINEN

UK CALLING Finnair flies to Manchester two times a day and to London Heathrow five times a day. Shakespeare’s hometown ­Stratford-upon-Avon is a 2- to 2½-hour drive from both destinations.

World’s best boutique hotels

To party or not to party?

With 400 years having passed since the death of William Shakespeare, the answer is ‘aye verily’ in The Bard’s hometown ­Stratford-upon-Avon. We share our top picks of this year’s anniversary line-up.

BARD’S BIRTHDAY BASH Shakespeare’s birth and death occurred on the same day, April 23. In a tradition dating back to 1824, the playwright’s legacy is commemorated with a parade during the weekend of April 23–24. Music, street entertainment, theatre workshops and city tours round off the festive weekend.

AT SCHOOL WITH SHAKESPEARE The newly restored Shakespeare Schoolroom &

Guildhall opens to visitors in April at the King Edward VI School. Built in 1420, the late medieval provincial guildhall is one of only a dozen still standing in the UK. A new interactive tour brings Shakespeare, his alma mater and Stratford-upon-Avon’s history to life with soundscapes, projections, and films.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE Performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and other theatre classics are among many good reasons to visit the Royal Shakespeare Company during its 2016 season. In June the RSC will host The Play’s the Thing, a new exhibition celebrating a century of ­theatre making. shakespeares-england.co.uk

The tree huggers

TREE HUGGERS, take note – you can now adopt your very own tree in Finnish Lapland and have it marked as yours. Once you become the tree’s legal guardian, you can go and give it a warm squeeze in the Halipuu (“Hugging Tree”) forest near Levi.

Adopting a tree is also a way of preserving this ancient forest from felling. Adopting a tree for five years starts at €300.

Halipuu.com

14 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

WITH HOTELS popping up like there’s no tomorrow, it’s hard to tell which ones are worth your hard-earned money. The World Boutique Hotel Awards keep tabs on the best luxury accommodations and publishes an annual list of winners.

The overall best boutique hotel of 2015 was the Royal Mansour of Marrakech in Morocco, but nearly 90 others received regional and global awards. Celebrity favourite Samsara Phuket was chosen as Southeast Asia’s Best ­Private Villa, and the historic Berns Hotel in Stockholm was named Europe’s Best City Boutique Hotel. New York snagged the title for Best City Boutique Hotel with its bookthemed Library Hotel. The World’s Best Sustainable ­Boutique Hotel is beachside El Nido in the Philippines’ Pangulasian Island.

Check out the complete list of winners at: Boutiquehotelawards.com

www.kia.fi

Ympäröi itsesi älyllä.

Automaattinen hätäjarrutus

360° kamera

Langaton lataus

Monitoiminäyttö

Ilmastoidut istuimet

Uusi innovatiivinen Kia Optima.

Uuden Kia Optiman ylelliset sisätilat suorastaan kutsuvat viihtymään älykkään teknologian huolehtiessa ajonautinnostasi. Optiman automaattinen hätäjarrutus, kuolleen kulman tunnistusjärjestelmä ja 360° kamera huolehtivat siitä, että pääset turvallisesti määränpäähäsi.

Kia Optima -mallisto alk. 29.647 € Vapaa autoetu alk. 630 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 465 €/kk Wagon- ja GT-mallit tulossa ensi kesänä!

Kia Optima -mallisto alk. autoveroton hinta 24.797,24 € + arvioitu autovero 4.849,64 € = kokonaishinta 29.646,88 €. Vapaa autoetu alk. 630 €/kk, käyttöetu alk. 465 €/kk. EU-yhd. kulutus 4,2–7,5 l/100 km, CO2-päästöt 110–175g/km. Kia-takuu 7 vuotta tai 150 000 km, kolme ensimmäistä vuotta ilman kilometrirajaa.

Kia 24h tiepalvelu vuodeksi veloituksetta. Kuvan auto erikoisvarustein.

TAKEOFF INNOVATIONS COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY JORMA LEPPÄNEN PHOTO BY JUHA TANHUA

TOWARDS A BETTER PLANET Finnair has been recognised as a ­Nordic leader in climate change reporting, receiving a score of 99/100. on the Nordic Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). Read more on page 84.

Finnish startups with green goals NOCART from Lahti ­delivers solutions for small renewable power plants.

The company’s business idea is to produce environmentally friendly energy and deliver it to places where there is no electricity or where the electricity is being produced using diesel. Nocart’s business has grown, particularly in Africa and Asia. nocart.com

The Lahti Symphony Orchestra in Finland is gradually making all of its activities carbon-neutral.

SUSTAINABLE MUSIC

An environmentally sound player The Lahti Symphony Orchestra in Finland is doing its fair share to slow the pace of global climate change by gradually making its own activities carbon-neutral.

“The Carbon-Free Lahti Symphony Orchestra is a unique, pioneering undertaking which, we hope, will encourage other artistic institutions to participate in the reduction of greenhouse gases,” says Teemu Kirjonen, general manager of the orchestra.

As producers of immaterial services, symphony orchestras may not be the first in mind when we talk about pollution and climate change. But as public ­players they can have an important role in the discussion.

“Music and art in general is about ­aesthetics and ethics. We want to walk our talk outside the concert halls, too,” says Kirjonen.

The orchestra’s climate project is a ­natural part of the City of Lahti’s environmental strategy, of which the city is com16 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

mitted to halving per capita greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, compared to 1990 levels.

In 2015, during the first phase of the project, the orchestra’s carbon footprint was calculated. This was based on a lifecycle assessment, a diploma thesis by Pilvi Virolainen at Lappeenranta University of Technology.

“The most significant greenhouse gas emissions of Lahti Symphony Orchestra are caused by traffic and energy consumption. However, greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced permanently from all possible functions,” says Virolainen.

According to Virolainen, it is particularly important to get stakeholders to participate in reaching the reduction targets made by the orchestra.

“Compensating plays a significant role in achieving carbon neutrality. Currently most orchestras around the world do not actively strive towards being carbon neutral,” says Virolainen.

SOLAR WATER SOLUTIONS from Espoo is a technology company on a mission to create sustainable fresh water “in environments where it is difficult or impossible.” The company’s solution for small- and mediumsized seawater desalination ­systems uses only solar or wind energy. Patented technology allows exceptionally efficient fresh water production with almost no operating costs. solarwatersolutions.fi ENERSIZE, a company from Ulvila in western Finland, specialises in comprehensive energy saving solutions for the process industry, equipment, and systems. The company has developed an industrial energy saving concept which includes measuring, monitoring, and control software. With this solution, industrial producers can reduce their energy use by at least 30 per cent. Enersize has been accepted to the Finnish Cleantech VIGO Acceleration Programme for fast-growing startups. enersize.com

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TAKEOFF MAKERS OF FINLAND

DESIGN DEALS Check out the best of the season from the Finnair PlusShop! Special offers for Plus members only. www.finnairplusshop.com.

TEXT AND PHOTO BY LAURA IISALO

Purposefully beautiful

SOFT AESTHETICS and a contemporary sensibility have made Joanna Laajisto the ‘It Girl’ of Finnish interiors over the past few years. She and her team have designed many of Helsinki’s latest hotspots including the Old Market Hall’s Story restaurant, Le Roy nightclub, and Bier Bier bar on Erottaja. Still, she insists that functionality is always her topmost priority. “We consider ourselves to be service designers. It’s our job to come up with solutions that serve our clients well. We do that by creating places where people enjoy spending time,” says Lajisto, who worked in LA for international architecture firm Gensler designing large-scale projects before moving back to her native Finland.

Laajisto begins the design process by defining the ‘hidden spirit’ of the existing space. She might draw inspiration from hints at the past but puts effort into ensuring that her approach is fresh, contemporary and longlasting. “We often use natural materials because they age so beautifully.

The fittings must be designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. But we also create spaces that are timeless – we definitely don’t want the interior to look like it was designed in 2016,” she explains.

Laajisto is currently designing four new restaurants in three different Finnish cities, all which are opening early this year. Known for her use of a muted palette, she hints that she might be splashing out with livelier hues in the future. “I’m currently testing some brighter shades but that’s all I can say for now. You’ll just have to wait and see.” joannalaajisto.com Interior architect and designer Joanna Laajisto created the fresh look of the Story Deli café on Helsinki’s ­Korkea­vuorenkatu in spring 2015.

In this series we meet the bright young talents of Nordic design.

18 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

digital now

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Invoicing

the future

All in all, changing to e-invoicing is a win-win scenario for everyone.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS ELECTRONIC INVOICING WILL BECOME THE NUMBER ONE OPTION FOR BUSINESSES TO ENSURE FRICTIONLESS CASH FLOW AND IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE CLIENTELE.

I

f you receive an invoice, how often does it happen that, for some reason or another, the bill does not get paid on time? The invoices that are on paper are slow to process, prone to get lost or be forgotten if they are not promptly dealt with. Businesses very often also choose to pay late or as late as possible purposely. This impacts the businesses of all sizes, but also economies as a whole.

“For many businesses, the delays inherent in paper-based invoicing amount to significant friction in the working capital flow. Also, the inevitable reminders for bills past due put a strain on customer relations and loyalty”, Mr Esa Tihilä, CEO of Basware, observes.

Basware has been the forerunner in e-invoicing and is today the global leader in e-invoicing and purchase to pay solutions, serving over one million organizations worldwide, in over 100 countries.

Mr Tihilä expects digitalization to greatly transform the routines of invoicing. Actually, the sea-change began for quite some time ago.

Along with the proliferation of e-mails, the first wave of electronic invoicing was mainly based on e-mail invoicing.

“Today, the medium is nothing short of outdated. As a matter of fact, bills delivered by e-mail tend to be the least efficient way to bill customers. Bills sent via e-mail are today even more expensive to process than paper invoices and most likely to be buried underneath the ebb and flow of daily correspondence.”

By contrast, present-day e-invoicing involves sophisticated solutions to cut unnecessary red tape and to significantly narrow down the billing time and increase visibility on businesses’ financials.

Ideally, invoices are processed automatically.

“Basware also offers supplementary, real-time invoice financing services. All in all, changing to e-invoicing is a win-win scenario for everyone.”

According to predictions of Basware, by the end of the decade, e-invoicing has increased more than threefold globally.

“It is estimated that every third invoice is electronic by 2020.”

In e-invoicing, Finland stands tall: around 40 per cent of billing is done electronically, and the numbers are constantly climbing.

“Enthusiasm towards new technological advances is a feature we Finns definitely should be more proud of. Early adopting of e-invoicing is a case in point of such innovativeness and tech-savvy attitude.” ●

“E-invoicing saves money and resources”, says Esa Tihilä, CEO of the e-invoicing company Basware, and approves invoices on the go.

PRODUCED BY TAKEOFF CONSULTING GROUP OY

TAKEOFF FOOD & DRINK

CHEERS Did you know you can pre-order wines from the Finnair web shop? www.preorder.fi

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY ANU PIIPPO JAAKKO KUIVAMÄKI

Drinks for ‘Dry January’

Non-alcoholic beverages are all the rage around the world right now. For flyers choosing to pass on the booze, Finnair has launched a fresh new cucumber drink in its Sky Bistro selection.

Cool as a cucumber Fancy trying something more adventurous than your average soft drink or juice on your flight?

The latest addition to Finnair’s Sky Bistro menu is a lovely lime green can of refreshing cucumber goodness.

Sold on domestic and European flights.

Price: €3.50

A teaspoon of berry powder has the same nutritional value as a handful of fresh berries.

Berry power After living abroad for years, Anna Ojutkangas and Eveliina Suoyrjö grew tired of the watery berries found in UK shops.

Craving berries that taste like the wild ones back home in Finland, they came up with the idea of producing their very own berry powders, which are now sold under the Arctic Power Berries brand.

Though newcomers to the industry when they started the business in 2014, the two friends instantly knew where the best wild berries could be found, since both had grown up in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Their Arctic Power Berries range is made from sea buckthorn, cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries, and

Seamless style

Sauma (Finnish for ‘seam’ or ‘chance’) is a ceramic box designed by Nathalie Lahdenmäki after a visit to Japan, where she was inspired by the traditional bento lunch box. Available in three sizes, the boxes can be used both for storing food and small items. €42–140. lokalhelsinki.com

20 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

blackcurrants that are hand-picked, gently dried and ground to a powder.

Wild arctic berries are naturally rich in vitamins, antioxidants, fibre and minerals.

When dried below 40 degrees, the powder preserves the nutritional content of fresh berries. Handy to sprinkle on yoghurt or use in cooking, the powders are an easy way to add a healthy kick to any meal.

The company is growing fast, with plans to expand the range.

“We’re also developing products that could have greater potential in the Finnish market, where wild berries are widely available,” says Suoyrjö. arcticpowerberries.com

Pop the cork on spring Lehtikuohu is a sweet, non-alcoholic sparkling wine flavoured with blackcurrant leaves picked in Northern Karelia during spring, when they’re jampacked with flavour.

Buy a bottle as a gift to add a touch of spring to mid-winter. ­Available in Alko stores.

Price: €13.58

Torres Natureo Free Syrah If you ever had doubts about non-alcoholic red wines, try this delicious Torres wine from Spain, which is made from Syrah grapes and aged in French oak before being subjected to a process de-alcoholisation. Available in Alko stores.

Price: €4.79

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EXCLUSIVE PASSENGER DEAL Order via www.trx2.com/bw and use the coupon code Bluewings to receive an exclusive 10% discount.

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Dr. Thomas Whitfield, DPhil (Biochemistry); Oxford scientist and founder of Oxford Biolabs

cientists from Oxford, UK promise that they can help keep your hair thick and healthy. Their pill TRX2 is currently one of Europe’s best-selling hair supplements and is sold in over 100 countries. TRX2 is a food supplement based on natural compounds and, compared to medicinal products, has no side effects. Also it does what it says.

“Your hair will look much bigger; it becomes heavier and thicker. You maintain your healthy hair,” says Dr. Thomas Whitfield, biochemist and founder of Oxford Biolabs.

Hair treatments often promise a lot without delivering, but TRX2 is backed by cutting-edge science and has been thoroughly tested. Three of the key ingredients* in TRX2 are officially recognized by the European Commission as contributing to the maintenance of normal healthy hair.

The effects can be impressive. According to a pre-clinical study* conducted by scientists, TRX2 works for 87% of men and women.

Start TRX2 as early as possible in order to start gaining results before the problem takes over.

TRX2 is suitable for men and women of all ages. The crystalline white capsules come in a brown glass bottle,

which holds a one-month supply and costs from EUR 49 if ordered online. The manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee when ordered via TRX2’s official website, and ships worldwide.

For 2016, Oxford Biolabs introduces a new, advanced TRX2 topical range, for a double impact on hair issues from the inside and from the outside.

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* Zinc, selenium and biotin. Visit www.trx2.com to check the 18-month study results

How a pill can boost your hair and self-confidence

TAKEOFF SPORTS

PACK TOO MUCH? If you have too much baggage, you can easily book extra luggage allowance at special pre-paid prices directly from finnair.com.

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY KATI HEIKINHEIMO JANI KÄRPPÄ

FEELING

THE BIG CHILL? ARM YOURSELF FOR SOME SERIOUS WINTER FUN WITH THESE MUSTHAVE ITEMS TO KEEP YOU ACTIVE AND TOASTY WARM.

Lovely long johns

Who would want to cover a base layer this beautiful? Good thing there’s indoor après ski…. Champion freestyle skier and brand designer Kari Traa knows what it takes to survive in the harsh Nordic climate without losing an ounce of funky femininity. karitraa.com

Surf the snow

Feel connected with nature while surfing the backcountry on a snowboard made of wood and biocomposite. The bindingfree, hybrid snow-surfboard will be launched in January 2016 by ILAHU (meaning ‘rejoice’), a venture based in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. ilahu.fi

No nibbles from Jack Frost

Get ready to face those icy winds by applying a generous layer of organic sea buckthorn balsam to your lips, cheeks and the tip of your nose. The balm forms a protective layer to shield your skin against frostbite. flowkosmetiikka.fi

Bobble – or not

Perk up a dreary winter day with a mug of hot chocolate powered with a shot of medicinal mushrooms and herbs. Choose between an uplifting or calming blend.

Finnish hat maker Costo has expanded its line to include beanies made of ethically produced, 100% merino wool and organic cotton. Featuring a detachable bobble, the beanies are available in various colours to match your mood or outfit.

foursigmafoods.com

costo.fi

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22 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

Smart money

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Whether we’re talking about getting an additional sweet or building a nest egg in a sustainable manner, it pays to think long term.

Resist short-term temptations and

think long term

AMERICAN ACADEMIC WALTER MISCHEL CONDUCTED ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS EXPERIMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY BACK IN THE 1960S. NURSERY SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE EACH GIVEN A CHOICE: THEY COULD HAVE A REWARD IMMEDIATELY (MARSHMALLOWS WERE POPULAR) OR, IF THEY WAITED ALONE IN THE ROOM FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEY COULD EVENTUALLY HAVE TWO TREATS WHEN A RESEARCHER RETURNED.

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hat would later become known as the ‘marshmallow test’ showed that many children couldn’t resist the temptation of instant gratification even though they knew that delaying that gratification would lead to an even bigger reward.

We have seen a tendency towards shorttermism also play out in the financial world.

That’s because long-termism – making decisions with a view to long-term objectives or consequences – is hard. It takes self-control to decline a tasty snack or to save for a rainy day, especially when it’s clear there’s no immediate payoff.

Investors who have been around a while will know that share prices can be affected by many things over the short term. We can never say with absolute certainty what will happen in the financial markets tomorrow, next week or next month. However, we’re pretty certain that share

price performance over the long term can only be supported by sustainable earnings growth, especially when that performance is measured over decades.

All good companies (and even some bad ones) will have a long-term perspective. It therefore makes sense to align our investment horizon with those of the companies in which we seek to invest. Instead of worrying about short-term price movements, or the temporary gain or loss of capital, we’re far more concerned about the possibility of a permanent loss of capital, which is all about assessing a company’s long-term business prospects.

Therefore, long-termism lies at the heart of our investment thinking.

When researchers conducted follow-up studies of the original marshmallow test subjects some two decades later, they found that those children who managed to delay gratification PRODUCED BY TAKEOFF CONSULTING GROUP OY

the longest had gone on to do better at school, secured better jobs and made more money.

Intuitively this makes complete sense to us.

Success in life, like investing, requires many qualities. But conviction and discipline must rank near the top. Whether we’re talking about getting an additional sweet or building a nest egg in a sustainable manner, it pays to think long term. ●

Follow us on: thinkingaloud.aberdeen-asset.co.uk Issued by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may get back less than the amount invested.

TAKEOFF WORLD

STAY CONNECTED The Nordic Sky Wi-Fi available onboard the A350 aircraft can be accessed with your own devices.

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY MIRVA LEMPIÄINEN RAUNO TRÄSKELIN

CALENDAR

PARIS

January events

We Love Wood(s)!

UNTIL JAN 17 MIAMI. Year-long Operation Pedro Pan is down to its last weeks at the History­ Miami Museum. The exhibit tells the story of the 14,000 Cuban children who came to the US between 1960 and 1962 during the largest child refugee exodus in the Western Hemisphere. historymiami.org/museum/exhibitions/ details/operation-pedro-pan

UNTIL JAN 30

The Finnish Institute in Paris showcases the boundless potential of wood as an ecological material by spotlighting some 20 Finnish architects, artisans and designers. Curated by architect Kirsi Gullichsen, the exhibit shows how beauty can be incorporated into everyday design in the kitchen. welovewoods.com

MIRVA LEMPIÄINEN

JAN 22–31 SANTO DOMINGO. Over 100 dance lovers from 40 countries meet up in the Caribbean to show off their hottest moves at the Dominican Republic 8th Bachata Festival and Dance Adventure.

The DR8 is the brainchild of Finnish bachata ambassador Vesa Parkkari. domibachata.com DAVID CLARE

HARBIN

Light fantastic JAN 5–FEB 25

JAN 26 SYDNEY. Action-packed Australia Day starts with the Morning Indigenous Ceremony at the Harbour Bridge and the armed forces’ 21-gun salute at noon.

The celebrations also include the 180th Australia Day regatta, a swimming race, and concerts.

Harbin in Northeast China makes the most of Siberian weather patterns by hosting the world’s largest ice and snow festival for the 32nd time. The highlight is the Harbin Ice and Snow World, where colour-illuminated ice buildings and statues cover more than 750,000 square metres.

australiaday.com.au

icefestivalharbin.com

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TAKEOFF FINLAND

TRAVEL INSPIRATION Visit the Finnair and Aurinkomatkat stand at the MATKA Nordic Travel Fair January 21–24 at ­Helsinki’s Messukeskus.

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY LAURA IISALO JUSSI HELLSTEN

Hikers enjoying a campfire in Nuuksio.

HELSINKI

January events KIMMO BRANDT

JANUARY 21–24 Explore the whole world and plan your next holiday at MATKA, Northern Europe’s largest travel trade event. This year’s special theme country is Spain. Read more on page 45. matkamessut.fi

TRAVEL

RITA MIKLAN

Helsinki’s great winter escapes A beautiful archipelago and easy-to-reach woodlands make Helsinki the ideal destination for a one-day winter adventure.

TAKE A DIP A ten-minute tram ride (plus a short walk) from the city ­centre brings you to Uunisaari Island across from Kaivopuisto Park. During the coldest months, the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and the views across the sea are stunning. A hike around the island is exhilarating, but to really get your blood pumping, try taking a dip in the icy water. Many locals swear by the health benefits of winter swimming.

NATURE GATE Those with a little more time to spare are advised to head for Nuuksio National Park. Just 30 kilometres from the city centre, it’s the perfect place to experience a true winter wilderness. The best way to explore the area is to follow a signposted hiking route, many of which are suitable for beginners. To help

identify birds and plants in the region, download the free NatureGate mobile app, a great travel companion providing information about hundreds of wild species.

TWILIGHT HIKE If you’d rather join a guided expedition in Nuuksio, check out Olli Rinne’s company Feel the Nature, which organises outdoor adventures year-round. In winter he likes to take his guests on a twilight adventure they will never forget. “People are always blown away by the peace and quiet. On night hikes we sit around the campfire waiting for the moon to rise,” he says. And when it does, it’s often enough to subtly light the way for a trek through the woods and across frozen lakes. If a day trip leaves you hankering for more, guests can arrange to stay overnight in a nearby cottage. feelthenature.fi

JANUARY 26–31 The annual Helsinki Documentary Film Festival presents some of the year’s most talked-about documentary films. Doc Point also features seminars, lectures, clubs, and a special event for kids. docpoint.info/en

JANUARY 6–10 Lux Helsinki is a celebration of light that takes place during the darkest time of the year. Artwork displayed in the city centre and street food stalls will be open every day from 5pm until 10pm.

Free entry. luxhelsinki.fi/en Events subject to change.

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IN THE AIR WITH ENNI RUKAJÄRVI

PACKING UP A snowboard bag is considered one piece of baggage and the fee depends on the allowance of your ticket. It is easy to pay for an excess-baggage fee via ­Manage Booking at finnair.com.

WRITTEN BY LAURA PALOTIE PHOTO BY HARRI TARVAINEN

Off the slopes Enni Rukajärvi, 25, is one of Finland’s best-known snow­ boarders, whose triumphs include a slopestyle world championship. Rukajärvi fills us in on her plane-hopping lifestyle.

“FROM JANUARY through March I’m travelling almost every week. Most recently I was in Austria and Colorado, and this March I’m headed to the inaugural World Championships of Snowboarding in China.

I usually pack my snowboard in a wheeled bag so that I can pull it behind me. Inside there are at least two boards, straps, shoes, a helmet, and goggles – and as many snowboarding clothes as I can fit! I never travel without a pair of wool socks, a water bottle, a pair of jeans, and gym clothes.

My days are typically spent on the slopes followed by dinner and then some stretching in my room – if time permits, I try to hit the gym. When adverse weather prevents us from snowboarding, I enjoy exploring the surrounding town or spending time with my teammates or other snowboarders.

It’s difficult to name a favourite ski resort.

There are so many great places. I personally like Laax in Switzerland: it’s versatile with a good park and pipe, and offers soft powder after a snowfall. Of course I can’t forget the slopes in my own backyard: my number one in Finland is the Ruka ski resort (I’m from the nearby town of Kuusamo).

Occasionally, I scoot away somewhere for a holiday. My ideal location is warm and peaceful where I can be active – from skating to surfing and other sports. I like the Mediterranean coast: it’s easily accessible from Finland, the destinations are diverse, and the food is delicious.”

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In this series we ask frequent ­flyers how they keep it real while travelling.

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TRAVEL TRENDS

BUZZWORD OF THE MOMENT Bleisure – combining business and leisure travel by adding a few days of fun onto a work trip for relaxing and exploring local culture.

TEXT BY KATJA PANTZAR ILLUSTRATION BY ISTOCK

Top 3 extreme travel destinations for 2016

“LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE, not a package tour,” wrote spiritual master Eckhart Tolle in his mega-selling self-help guide A New Earth.

But Tolle may have been wrong, particularly when it comes to specialised activity vacations.

“The demand for adventure travel packages is definitely increasing,” says Jussi Viskari, managing director of Finnish tour operator Elämysmatkat (“Adventure Tours”).

“Independent travel is no longer perceived as being cooler than organised tours,” says Viskari.

According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s most recent survey, customised itineraries and soft adventures are two of the fastest growing market ­segments, with growth of 24 per cent.

“Active travel as a way of taking time out from everyday life is making a brand shift from being considered extreme and dangerous into an option for everyone to experience and explore,” says Viskari. “This is great because it opens up new parts of the world

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Off the beaten track to whole new groups of travellers – you don’t have to be young and fit to adventure travel.”

While adventure travel runs to the extreme such as avoiding lava bombs while volcano boarding (not recommended), for most travellers “adventure” means guided access to activities and locations not on their daily radar.

For Viskari, an avid freestyle skier, his favourite adventure destinations include Japan and Canada’s West Coast.

“Japan has the best lift-access off-piste skiing in the world. With up to 15 metres of snow a season (compared with four to five in the Alps), snow falls steadily throughout the season which guarantees amazing powder turns,” he says.

“Canada’s westernmost province British Columbia is the greatest place on earth for heli-skiing, Snowcat skiing, and snowboarding. For serious skiers a heli-skiing trip to BC is the once-in-a-lifetime, travel bucket list destination,” says Viskari. elamysmatkat.com

S teepest peak on Earth: Mount Thor, Nunavut, Canada Serious mountain climbers head for Mount Thor, which has a 1,250-metre (4,101 feet) vertical drop and is made of pure granite.

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C oldest inhabited place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia Although winter temperatures only average -15 degrees Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit), the ground is permanently frozen year-round in this icy retreat.

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Driest place on Earth: Atacama Desert, Chile Bring lots of water – according to NASA, the Atacama Desert in Chile has soil comparable to that of Mars.

Source: Reader’s digest.ca

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DESTINATION HOKKAIDO

Some of the world’s best snow is found on Japan’s northernmost island where ski junkies return year after year for unrivalled downhill fun.

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HOKKAIDO for powder hounds TEXT BY BY SILJA KUDEL PHOTOS BY PETRI ARTTURI ASIKAINEN

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Dewa and Horace from ­Indonesia show off their ­snowboarding skills.

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ubilant “woo-hoos” ring in the crisp air as snowboarders send plumes of powder flying against the cloudless sky of Sahoro, a village 179 kilometres east of Sapporo. The thrill of deep-powder gliding is written all over the faces of four friends from Indonesia who have arrived for a week of snowboarding on what they describe as “soft clouds of icing sugar.”

The insanely fluffy bliss that powder hounds find so addictive is found in stupefying ­abundance on Japan’s northernmost island. The secret to Hokkaido’s delightfully dry, weightless snow is a weather system that pushes extremely cold air across the Sea of Japan from Siberia, guaranteeing at least 100 days of snow every winter.

Japan’s mountains might not compare to the Alps or the Rockies, but Hokkaido compensates by offering the most reliable ski season in the world, with certain resorts averaging 18 metres of snowfall annually.

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This is Hanabi Ishikawa’s first time to Sahoro.

Consistently good snow ­conditions on the mountains make Hokkaido a mecca for ski bums.

CT S

Fin n Sap air fli es po finn ro xx to x air .co x. m

LAKE SHIKOTSU ICE FESTIVAL Colourfully lit ice sculptures line the shore of Lake Shikotsu during this month-long festival in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, about 40 minutes from Sapporo. The sculptures are created by spraying layers of lake water and letting it freeze. Fireworks and Wadaiko drum performances set a festive mood on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

January 29 – February 21, 2016 welcome.city.sapporo.jp

SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL

A tradition dating back to 1950, the former Winter Olympics host city is transformed into a winter wonderland for a week every February with hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures filling Odori Park and the main drag in Susukino.

February 5–11, 2016 www.snowfes.com

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A fun way to hike Hokkaido in the ­winter is by snowshoeing.

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The breakfast buffet at Club Med Sahoro offers a mix of Japanese and Western fare.

PRIVATE PLAYGROUND

The best-quality powder is arguably found in Niseko, one of the snowiest places on earth. In the direct path of flurries from Siberia, Niseko is blanketed by about 20 metres of champagne powder annually.

Offering superb off-piste skiing for the more advanced skier as well as groomed trails for those of all ability levels, Niseko is known as Japan’s ‘café latte resort’, being the only ski village where a gaijin ­(foreigner) can walk into a café and order a latte in English. In the smaller resorts off the beaten tourist track, you’ll be lucky to find anyone who speaks English, much less a latte.

Hokkaido’s lesser-known powder playgrounds such as Sahoro are legend among downhill ski bums but – for the time being – they remain hidden beneath the mass tourism radar.

“Skiing here is like having a private resort all to yourself. The slopes and lifts are never crowded,” says Ethiopian-born ski instructor Robel Zemichael from the US. After eight seasons working as a ski instructor at Club Med Sahoro, he has a special fondness for Hokkaido’s mountains. “What they lack in steepness they make up for in variety and powder quality.”

Robel Zemichael is a ski instructor at Club Med Sahoro.

Daisuke (on left) shows the ropes of the slopes to Indonesians Efendi, Horace, Dewa, and Rudi, who are in Sahoro for a week of snowboarding fun.

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Two local girls eat takoyaki, Japenese street food made of fried octopus.

POWDER TO THE PEOPLE HOME OF RAMEN The après scene in Japan is quieter than in Europe or North America. A winter holiday in Hokkaido revolves around three activities: ­powder skiing, onsen-soaking, and eating – in that order. Ramen, soba noodles, crab and other seafood delicacies are the local specialties.

Many tourists have the misconception that Japan is an expensive country, but for skiers it is surprisingly affordable.

Lift tickets are cheaper than in Europe, and the further you venture off the beaten track, the less expensive things get. A oneday mountain pass typically costs around ¥4,000 (€30).

But what ultimately keeps pulling skiers back to Hokkaido is its diverse offering. Whether it’s the delight of weaving through knee-deep powder or luxuriating in off-snow pleasures such as onsen baths, resorts like Sahoro tick all the boxes for an ichiban (number 1) winter experience. l

The most famous Japanese soba (buckwheat) ­noodles come from Hokkaido!

There’s space to spare for every skier in Hokkaido, which has a population of five million people spread across a land mass the size of Austria. Sapporo’s international airport is an excellent gateway to all major resorts, which cater to every taste and budget.

NISEKO FOR NIGHT LIFE Combining four resorts, Niseko is Japan’s largest and most international ski destination. Located 100 km southwest of Sapporo, it is famous for its powder, tree skiing, and night life. English is widely spoken. niseko.ne.jp/en

SOLITUDE IN SAHORO Smaller Sahoro has only two hotels, the Sahoro Resort Hotel, and all-inclusive Club Med Sahoro. The slopes are crowd-free, offering outstanding off-piste skiing for advanced skiers and snowboarders. sahoro.co.jp

THREE-PEAK RUSUTSU A golf resort and amusement park in summer, Rusutsu is magically transformed into a world-class powder paradise when winter arrives. The frozen rollercoaster is a popular backdrop for selfies. skiing-hokkaido.com/resort/resort08.html

BEHIND THE SCENES

Silja Kudel Ex-Sydneysider Silja Kudel is a Helsinki-based journalist, arts editor, and culture vulture with an incurable case of travel fever.

Petri Artturi Asikainen Finnish photographer Petri Artturi Asikainen is based in Tokyo. During his career, he has done a wide range of photography work from editorial to commercial and personal. His book 100 years in Tokyo is available in Tokyo bookstores.

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY FURANO Furano appeals to kids with its long, well-groomed runs, and high-speed lifts. The town caters to English-speaking guests, yet preserves its local authenticity. Ski passes are free for kids 12 or younger. snowfurano.com/resort.htm

VEGAS VIBE IN TOMAMU A kitsch extravaganza, glitzy Tomamu has a 50-metre wave pool, glamorous hotel towers and plenty to keep the little ones entertained. The 145-hectare resort also offers superb terrain for powder hounds. snowtomamu.jp.e.vc.hp.transer.com/winter

Visitors to Sahoro in ­Shintaku Town enjoy the local flavours during a travel expo.

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TOP5

Dublin stylemakers

B U D

s to flie imes r i na et Fin thre daily . n nd bli ime Du ekly a mert we sum om g rin nair.c du fin

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MAD HATTER OF TEMPLE BAR Hats off to John Shevlin, a second-generation milliner renowned for his Panama hats worn by state delegations on trips to the tropics. ­Shevlin’s hats – including felt trilbies, porkpies, and cloches (think Downton Abbey) – are handmade a few miles outside town and sold at a quaint design shop on Pudding Row in the Temple Bar cultural quarter. And guess who designed the new airhostess hat for the Aer Lingus uniform? cowslanedesignerstudio.ie

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Dublin is more than harps, leprechauns, and knitwear.

Ireland’s rich and diverse design story will be showcased later this year at the new National Design Centre in the re-opened St. Andrew’s Church. We share a sneak peek of ­­trailblazing Irish designers and their playful creations.

BY ALEXANDER FARNSWORTH AND KIRSTI KAJANNE

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CLOVER RULES Talented and versatile Orla Kiely emblazons handbags, dresses, and furnishings with her whimsical colours and clover patterns. Kiely credits her grandmother for inspiring these earthy retro styles, which have become fashion staples in and beyond Dublin. One of her striking green shoulder bags was recently added to the range at the Kilkenny Store, that ultimate emporium of ‘Irishness’. orlakiely.com

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STAINED GLASS INSPIRATION After carving out a career working with New York’s fashion bulwarks, Jennifer Rothwell wrote her Dublin chapter inspired by the colourful stained glass of the formerly underappreciated Irish artist Harry Clarke (1889–1931). Rothwell’s locally tailored red and cobalt fabrics have graced the red carpet at the Oscars and can be seen adding splashes of colour to Dublin’s creative quarter. jrothwell.net

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WALK THIS WAY ‘Le Cool Dublin’ walking tours begin with an sensory extravaganza at ‘Perfumarija’, which offers an intoxicating mix of citrus, rose, and other flirty – though pricey – fragrances. Next stop on the tour is Industry, an independent furnishing store on Drury Street stocking vintage and carefully handpicked wares.

Completing the tour is Indigo & Cloth, a fusion café-apparel shop that may be, with only six seats, the smallest café in Dublin. lecoolwalkdublin.tumblr.com

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WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER Award-winning Finnish goldsmith Hanna Tommola came to Ireland for three weeks but has stayed for 14 years. Her serpentine rings, earrings, brooches, and necklaces are imbued with child-like innocence and the shimmering clarity of Finnish lakes. Tommola’s distinctive N ­ ordic style – acquired during long summers spent with her resourceful grandfather – speaks beyond fast fashion to future generations. hannatommola.com

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EUROPEAN VOICES

BY ALEXANDER STUBB

Love those who hate

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often get asked how I deal So, how to do it? The first thing to with hate and unfair criticism. understand is that you will never be able In my line of work as a polito please everyone. The more you express tician I end up getting a fair yourself, the more some people will critshare of both. It’s part of the icise you and your actions. The greater job: the tougher the times, the your impact, the more criticism you will tougher the feedback. get.

In the beginning of my The second thing to remember is that career many colleagues told me that time many haters direct their unhappiness onto thickens the skin. The standing joke is that others. Think about it. If you are unhappy, a politician’s skin grows so thick that he do you blame yourself or someone else? does not need a spine.

My natural inclination is to look at others I never believed in that. We are all until I find the real cause – in the mirror. sensitive to critiThird, the best cism, whether way to fight against THE BRAIN NEEDS FIVE from friends, foes, hate and negaor the public. tive feelings is to POSITIVE EVENTS TO It’s natural. The embrace them with MAKE UP FOR ONE brain is linked to love. This might NEGATIVE ONE. our soul. Posisound naive, but I tive is better than firmly believe that negative. good will always The problem is that we remember prevail. There is more good than bad in negative feedback more vividly than this world. If this were not the case, then positive encouragement. Florida State most of the news would be good.

University professor and social psycholoBeing negative or cynical is the easy gist Roy Baumeister tells us that the brain way out. British statesman Winston needs five positive events to make up for Churchill famously said: “A pessimist one negative one. sees the difficulty in every opportunity; I’m sure we can all relate to that. Posian optimist sees the opportunity in every tive feedback is nice. It gives you a good difficulty.” feeling. Negative feedback ignites the I have always been an optimist. Smile opposite emotion. and you will be smiled at. l The beauty of free speech and democracy is that everyone is allowed to express themselves. A person in a position of influence must be able Alexander Stubb is Finland’s Finance to tolerate criticism. Sometimes it Minister. might feel unfair, but you just have twitter.com/alexstubb to deal with it.

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900 KM/H AND THE LOUDEST NOISE

IN THE CABIN IS THE CLINKING OF ICE CUBES The incredible new Finnair Airbus A350, with quiet and fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Finnair is Europe’s first airline to fly the new Airbus A350. Experience a new sense of flying at A350.finnair.com

Finnair flies to 17 destinations in Asia and over 60 destinations in Europe.

TRAVEL ADVENTURES IN THE DIGITAL AGE TEXT BY LAURA IISALO PHOTOS BY VISIT FINLAND AND JUSSI HELLSTEN/VISIT HELSINKI

Polar Night Magic brings explorers from around the world to Finnish Lapland.

Thanks to social media, travelling is no longer just a private adventure but a shared experience. These projects give some lucky travellers and their followers a chance to view the surprising sides of Finland.

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MASTERING ARCTIC WILDERNESS

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he darkest season in Finnish Lapland lasts for about 100 days. A daily glimpse of twilight sets a magical mood that has inspired filmmakers, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts for decades. The combination of wild, frozen landscape, and breath-taking silence allows a sense of peace that is nearly impossible to describe. That’s why Visit Finland together with Finnair decided to organise a larger-than-life adventure that allows a group of brave-hearted winter novices to experience the magic of polar darkness firsthand.

Nearly 4 000 people around the world applied for the Polar Night Magic experience. Five lucky explorers from Japan, China, UK, Korea and Germany were chosen to begin their ambitious expedition with the intention of mastering the Arctic wilderness.

“This is the first time ever that a group of people gets to experience pretty much everything Lapland has to offer. They will learn many new skills and return back home with an experience they will never forget,” says wilderness guide Pasi Ikonen, who will be leading the team. With over 20 years of experience and an unsupported expedition to the South Pole under his belt, he is an expert on harsh polar conditions.

The three-month quest, which began in December, is divided into 18 stages. During the first stage, the team members take on an apprenticeship with a blacksmith and learn how to make a traditional Finnish knife – a handy tool for what lies ahead. In the following months they are expected to climb frozen waterfalls, herd reindeers, dive into icy lakes, and hunt down the Aurora Borealis whilst surrounded by the magical polar darkness.

“The expedition will no doubt be demanding for the body and mind. None of the members have experienced winter for long periods of time, which is why we selected open-minded people who are in good physical shape,” Ikonen says.

A big chunk of the journey is completed by skiing or snowshoeing – undeniably challenging for someone who may have never experienced snow before. The course takes the team around Lapland. In between the physical tasks, they get their fair share of peaceful ambience by taking part in a silent retreat and learning to capture the beauty of it. Photos and

videos will be shared on personal social media platforms and on a dedicated campaign website, which is updated weekly.

At the end of the adventure, the group will have accomplished something that only few can dream of.

Not only will they have gotten to know the mysteries of polar magic, they will also have surpassed their own personal limitations and experienced the Arctic’s true nature.

“Spending three months with each other will make them a very tight-knit team and I’m pretty sure that these guys will form friendships that last a lifetime. The biggest prize will be the mental reward that comes from overcoming challenges together – they just don’t know it yet,” says Ikonen. Whatever the future brings, it will soon be revealed. l Join the adventure by following the hashtag #polarnightmagic or visit polarnightmagic.com for weekly updates.

YUICHI YOKOTA Professional ­photographer Yuichi Yokota is originally from Yokohama City in Japan but lives in Tokyo. He is taking part in the Polar Night Experience.

EXPECTATIONS “I’m looking forward to experiencing F ­ innish nature, meeting people and trying the delicious foods. I really want to photograph the beautiful Aurora Borealis, but I’m also looking forward to diving into the icy sea.”

FAVOURITE TRAVEL TIP “Try and get to know the local people living in the area because they are the experts and always give the best travel tips.” instagram.com/yokoichi777

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Local friends help the ­#HelsinkiSecret residents discover the hidden gems of the city as part of the project.

THE SECRETS OF HELSINKI

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f Lapland is famous for its mystical aura, then Helsinki is the world’s best-kept secret. The latter is a comment that inspired Visit Helsinki to create a home-like hub for selected globetrotters to stay in whilst exploring the Finnish capital. Located in the heart of the city, the #HelsinkiSecret Residence will accommodate up to 100 guests during 2016.

The first lot are already settling into their new home which is equipped with Finnish foods and design.

“The idea for the residence actually came from the social media influencers themselves,” says Visit Helsinki’s social media coordinator Elisabeth Heinrichs, who has been working with bloggers and other influencers for the past four years.

“We listened to their feedback and created a concept that allows them to come and stay in Helsinki long enough to really get familiar with the local way of life,” she says.

Heinrichs will be hosting the residents together with a network of Finnish influencers – local friends that help the guests discover the best cafés, galleries, happenings, and other secrets of the city. “Our guests are not interested in only viewing the usual sights and attractions. They want to see what’s off the beaten path,” she says.

The visiting residents are selected based on their social media engagement rate but anyone can apply for the wild card; every month one lucky traveller and a friend will be accepted to stay at the residence based on votes regardless of their social media presence.

Finnair is one of the main partners of the project. Follow the residents as they share the secrets of Helsinki using #HelsinkiSecret or visit: helsinkisecret.com

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TERI DIDJURGIS

Travel blogger and consultant Teri Didjurgis lives in Austin, Texas, but spends most of her time travelling. She is one of the first guests to stay at the Helsinki Secret Residence.

EXPECTATIONS “I am looking forward to seeing the ­Helsinki architecture. I am also looking forward to experiencing many of the snow activities and Finnish traditions from the food to saunas, and the nightlife.”

FAVOURITE TRAVEL TIP “Slow down! Take the time to explore your destination and discover the people, history, culture, and their way of life to learn from the country you are visiting.” blueskytraveler.com

BLOGGER HIGHLIGHTS AT THE TRAVEL FAIR The leading Nordic travel exhibition MATKA fair in Helsinki attracts 70,000 visitors over four days from January 21 to 24. As part of the fair, the Nordic Bloggers’ Experience brings 56 travel bloggers from 21 different countries to Helsinki. Finnair is one of the main partners of the event.

Blogger Inna-Pirjetta Lahti has been leading the project since the beginning in 2013. She will start keeping her eye on the weather forecast during the weeks leading up to the event. “Snow just makes everything look so much prettier in photos,” says Lahti.

For the participating bloggers, the event means an opportunity to meet and greet colleagues and connect with other travel industry insiders.

For more information about the event follow hashtag #nbefinland or visit nbe.fi.

1600 150 IN NUMBERS Instagram photos

50 YouTube videos

Last year the Nordic Bloggers’ Experience generated:

reaching more than

blog posts

5200

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Englishman and travel blogger Andy Higgs has been living in Trondheim, Norway, for 16 years.

The former backpacker is joining the Nordic Bloggers’ Experience for the third time. “I am looking forward to Finnish cuisine, which I think is one of the world’s best but also the most underrated. Finnish winter is also spectacular and I love making new contacts at the MATKA fair,” he says.

One of the most anticipated events is the traditional sauna evening organised every year by the Finnish Sauna Society. Other highlights include a party with the local travel bloggers and a lumberjack afternoon followed by a dinner at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia.

To read Andy Higgs’ travel blog visit: grownuptravelguide.com

BUSINESS-LUOKALLA JA ECONOMYLLA ON ERONSA Kun harkitset puuttuvan hampaan korvaamista implantilla, älä katso pelkkää hintaa. Kyseessä on iso päätös ja kirurginen toimenpide, joten siihen kannattaa ehdottomasti valita alan kokenein erikoisosaaja, joka käyttää vain laadukkaita, aitoja, tutkittuja ja turvallisia implantteja.

Meillä asennettu implantti tuntuu ja näyttää omalta, se luutuu osaksi sinua ja kestää vuosikymmenet.

Miksi tyytyisit vähempään?

HYMY TARTTUU

P. 0201 55 22 55

I KEINOJUURI.FI I TAPIONTORI 3 B, 2. KRS, ESPOO

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48 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

Dynamic

DUOS Three original Finnish design firms have parlayed their passion for style and quality into successful international lifestyle brands.

Blue Wings finds out how.

TEXT BY KATJA PANTZAR PHOTOS BY ANNA HUOVINEN AND JUHA SALMINEN

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THE FRENCH-FINNISH CONNECTION

C

an cultural intelligence be seen in a bag? Yes it can if you take a tote by LUMI, the Nordic leather accessories label founded by designers Sanna Kantola and Bruno Beaugrand in 2000.

From their bestselling Supermarket shopper – of which more than 50,000 have been sold globally – to their exclusive Pauliina bucket bag developed for the FT’s How to Spend It glossy supplement, LUMI has been wooing customers from Germany to Japan with their sustainable and stylish bling-free handbags, purses, and shoes.

“Quality is not enough: a bag has to suit different markets in different countries,” says French-born Beaugrand, who runs the sales and marketing side of LUMI, which relocated from New York to Helsinki in 2007. “If a buyer says ‘that bag’s not going to fly,’ I listen to that and we consider it when we’re designing future lines,” says Beaugrand.

Feedback may range from colour choices to buckle or zipper placement.

Constructive criticism also comes from their multicultural team, many of whom are long-time LUMI employees. “It’s absolutely invaluable to have people like our store manager Åsa Stenman, who really knows the brand and participates in the creative process,” says Finnish-born Kantola, LUMI’s CEO and number cruncher.

The couple met in Paris as students 18 years ago and have successfully translated their international experience – stints include Beaugrand’s work for Tiffany’s as an industrial designer and Kantola’s for Ralph Lauren as a bag designer – into a brand sold in 20 countries with an annual turnover of 1.5 million euros.

50 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

OPPOSITES ATTRACT Kantola says that her and her husband’s contrasting personalities are an asset.

“While Finland and France are both part of Europe, Finland is Nordic and perhaps a bit German and American in its efficiency, whereas France represents a more laidback Southern European approach,” says Kantola.

“Bruno takes care of most of the travelling – going to trade shows, doing deals, and meeting people. That’s a relief because it means that I don’t have to do that,” she says. “We have two young children, so I have another job waiting for me when I get home.”

This spring sees a bold departure from the predominantly solid colours of previous LUMI lines with original floral patterns by Finnish artist and illustrator Jenni Ritamäki adorning select handbags and shoes. The “school of science” theme captures the Northern tradition of collecting wild flowers and plants.

LUMI has also recently branched out into scents with its line of candles, bath oils, and soaps sold at shops including premiere lifestyle stockist Conran in the UK and France.

Ever-evolving LUMI is also one of the companies in the Hanken Business School’s new Luxury Cluster Programme, which focuses on strengthening capabilities of luxury and premium sector businesses. As part of the programme, LUMI opened a new concept store at the Levi ski resort in Finnish Lapland in December.

As for the future, Kantola says: “Our goal is to be the recognised leather accessories business in Scandinavia.” lumiaccessories.com

LUMI’S TOP TRAVEL TIPS Kyoto is one of the favourite cities of LUMI founders’ Sanna Kantola and Bruno Beaugrand, as LUMI is stocked in many boutiques in the historical Japanese city.

Bistro Sept – fabulous for lunch or dinner, with great steaks and lots of vegetable dishes. bistro-sept.jp/muromachi ewly renovated BAL lifestyle N store houses many different shops, including our favourite Estnation. bal-bldg.com/kyoto A UNESCO World Heritage site, Nijo Castle dates back to 1603 and boasts a lovely garden for walks. japan-guide.com

Sanna Kantola and Bruno Beaugrand’s LUMI flagship store is at Aleksanterinkatu 28 in Helsinki.

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BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN

W

hen acclaimed English actress Thandie Newton wore a hand-printed R/H Studio blouse to Hollywood superstar Meryl Streep’s party in November, it generated the kind of publicity that young designers dream of.

“We’ve often been asked which female celebrity would best represent R/H and we’ve never been able to answer – until now,” says R/H’s Emilia Hernesniemi, who was overjoyed by Newton’s Instagrammed image. “And she’s not just a movie star, Newton also does significant work on behalf of women, which is a value that’s very important for us,” says R/H’s Hanna Riiheläinen.

The designer pair met while studying fashion at Helsinki’s Aalto University. After graduation, Hernesniemi worked in Berlin at Agency V and Riiheläinen worked at Zac Posen in New York before they founded R/H in 2010.

Their collections for women feature a whimsical world of handmade prints and knits in a collection of sensible yet smart dresses, skirts, tops and trousers, and accessories.

“Our inspiration comes from our mothers, sisters, friends, and the women in our lives from Sodankylä in Finnish Lapland to LA,” says Hernesniemi. “R/H is for women from 16- to 86-years old – you don’t need to be a certain type of woman to wear R/H,” adds Riiheläinen.

WHY VALUES MATTER Standards are key for R/H. “Quality means that the design, materials, and production all need to be in top shape,” says Hernesniemi. While many large Finnish design firms have moved production to far-

52 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

away countries, R/H sees local production in Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia “as a competitive advantage and value.”

Most of the fabric printing is done in Finland, their Mountain jewellery line is made in Helsinki, and much of the jersey fabric they use is knit in the small Finnish town of Orivesi. “We’re actually a bit surprised that we’re able to make so much in Finland,” confesses Hernesniemi.

With an annual turnover of half a million euros, R/H has a clear future focus that includes Asia, where they recently signed deals with two major stockists in Hong Kong – Vein and Kapok – with other retailers likely to follow in the new year. The US has also been a strong market for R/H, who plan to open a pop-up store in LA this year.

As for the division of labour, Hernesniemi designs the fabric prints and Riiheläinen creates the clothes; together they curate each collection. But both say that the brand already has taken on a life of its own.

“It’s a culture and a family with five years of history and ten collections,” says Hernesniemi. “The people around us and our customers help determine what the clothes and collections should be with their purchases and feedback on what works and what doesn’t,” says Hernesniemi. A spring 2016 jersey dress available in several colours including a bright green print initially had a longer hem, but was shortened for better wearability.

As for their secrets to success? Good positive energy is a must. “And trust the team. Find the right great people to work with – you can’t do everything yourself. And above all, incredible tenacity: if something doesn’t work out, it’s important to move on and look forward,” says Hernesniemi. rh-studio.fi

R/H’S TOP TRAVEL TIPS Wherever in the world their travels take them, R/H founders Hanna Riiheläinen and Emilia Hernesniemi always find time for a break.

In the Finnish town of Oulu, the Katri Antell café on Kirkkokatu serves the best Bebee pastry you’ll ever taste. antell.fi ong Kong’s Vein stores H (Causeway Bay and Wan Chai) offer a great selection of Scandinavian design housed in beautiful spaces run by friendly people. bvein.com Helsinki’s Kulttuurisauna public sauna is a wonderful place to relax and warm up, especially during the winter months. If you get too hot, you can also take a refreshing dip in the sea. kulttuurisauna.fi

Hanna Riiheläinen and Emilia Hernesniemi’s R/H Helsinki flagship store is at Fredrikinkatu 18.

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Heidi and Juha Jaara’s Balmuir showroom is at Itälahdenkatu 18 in the Lautasaari neighbourhood of Helsinki.

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A LOVE OF LUXURY

T

he creation of premium lifestyle brand Balmuir is a primer on trusting instincts and following dreams.

From the start, Heidi and Juha Jaara have done things their own way. Unlike most Finnish brands, Balmuir launched globally when it started in 2007 and only opened its first showroom in Finland in 2015.

“We had both worked internationally, so it was logical for us to start with the world,” says Heidi, a former Nokia executive, who spent six years filling sketchbooks with drawings of scarves, throws, and lifestyle accessories before taking the leap to start her own company. “Japan is our largest market. In Greater Tokyo alone there are 30 million people, so if one per cent buy our cashmere scarves that represents much greater sales potential than a smaller market,” she says.

Today, Balmuir’s annual turnover is about 3.5 million euros. The Oulu-based company employs 15 people and its goods are sold in 70 countries with upmarket stockists ranging from London’s Liberty and Fortnum & Mason to Moscow’s TsUM (where they’re the only Scandinavian brand stocked), and Breuninger department stores in Germany.

Named after the couple’s shared love of golf and a Highland way of life, Balmuir boasts a loyal customer base that includes several royal families.

From the north of Italy to the north of Finland, the great outdoors inspire Heidi and Juha Jaara, founders of premium lifestyle brand Balmuir.

We love snow shoeing Valtavaara peak in Ruka, Kusamo. ruka.fi Take a nature break on Ärjänsaari island in the middle of Oulujärvi. oulujarvi.fi Enjoy a relaxing stay at the Art Nouveau Grand Hôtel Des Îles Borromées overlooking Lake Maggiore, North Italy. borromees.com

balmuir.com

KATJA TÄHJÄ

THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY “Everything we do starts with the best possible raw materials from the highest quality buffalo leather to Mongolian cashmere,” says Heidi.

Balmuir draws on its northern roots in its rich colour schemes inspired by Finnish nature that range from sophisticated plums and purples to pinks, reds, oranges and forest greens and greys.

“Everything we do has to be authentic, whether it’s a product, a person, or a service. Trustworthiness is one of our strengths as Finns, and that means we

BALMUIR’S TOP TRAVEL TIPS

stand behind every word,” adds Juha.

The majority of Balmuir products are made in Europe, and the Jaaras only work with family-owned businesses to produce Balmuir’s product range.

“We are also very selective about where our products are sold and who we do business with,” says Heidi. “We don’t want to be everywhere, only in select places. In Sweden, we’re at NK department store and Mathilde, so for example, we have to ensure that Mathilde has what other shops don’t.”

For travellers, Balmuir trays, Champagne coolers, throws, blankets, and sheets are found in high-end hotels such as Hotel Zoo Berlin. Glasgow-based boutique hotel group Dakota has new suites with Balmuir features that launch throughout this year. In Mallorca, Spain, a new luxury hotel and yacht concept is in the works that will have blankets, linen and pillows by Balmuir.

For a couple with two small children, spending almost 24 hours a day together is not a challenge. “Balmuir simply wouldn’t exist if we weren’t together,” says Heidi.

“And we’re a good team: my expertise is sub-contracting, purchasing, and product development and for Juha it’s sales and marketing. In fact, the two of us couldn’t do this alone: we have an excellent team of employees who work independently and that’s absolutely crucial to our success,” she says. l

BEHIND THE SCENES

Katja Pantzar Writer and broadcast journalist Katja Pantzar is the author of Helsinki by Light (Siltala), which has just been reprinted after selling out of its first edition.

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BIKES WITH STYLE

56 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

From Helsinki to Melbourne, city streets are filling with stylish twowheelers. Choosing anything from a cute street ride to a fully customised cycle is merely a matter of how far you are willing to go.

TEXT BY JAMES O’SULLIVAN PHOTOS BY JUHA SALMINEN AND THE BIKE PRODUCERS

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L

ike many Nordic hubs, greater Helsinki is perfect for getting around by bike.

Some 2,600 kilometres of two-way bike paths criss-cross the city’s predominantly flat surface, with the most pressing difficulty coming when deciding which route to take.

Recent years have seen a growing enthusiasm for pedal power in Finland’s capital region. However, rather than straddling the mass-produced options of yore, people are turning to design-conscious offerings.

“Urban cycling and commuting has gained a lot of attention and people are more aware of their bikes,” explains Timo Hyppönen, from Helsinki-based bicycle company Pelago.

RECYCLED DREAMS Since establishing Pelago in 2009 with his brother, Mikko, the duo has played a significant role in nourishing the burgeoning market for designer options.

“We wanted to work with cycling because of its many positive aspects: it’s good for the environment and good for you,” Hyppönen says. “We saw that Pelago could bring a breath of fresh air to the urban gridlock.”

Business has developed steadily since their humble beginnings spent scouring local waste dumps for old bike parts. Nowadays, Pelago’s fleet includes nine models designed for various purposes, such as short to long distance transportation and active riding.

“Our main clientele are urbanites in their 30s and 58 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

40s,” says Hyppönen. “We are probably not your ‘first bike brand’. With the price of the bikes we make, it’s a conscious decision to purchase a proper bike, instead of buying the cheapest on the market.”

Demand has been such that the brothers eventually relinquished their recycling ideals in favour of larger scale production in Taiwan. Nonetheless, Pelago still builds three of its models locally and performs small tweaks to 90 per cent of its bikes from its Helsinki warehouse. Saddles, grips, handle bars, and colour options are all interchangeable, helping fine-tune each customer’s sense of individuality.

SPECIFIC FRAME OF MIND Elsewhere, there is another breed of bike enthusiasts who take personalisation to a new level, down to the very last welded piece of steel frame.

“My customers not only want something unique, but they want to feel a connection to what they own,” observes London-based artisan bike maker Matthew Sowter. “They want to go to the source of where it’s being made, and have a conversation with the person who’s making it.”

Situated near the banks of the River Thames, Sowter’s award-winning Saffron Frameworks produces about 40 different bikes every year from scratch.

“Most people that come in here say, ‘I want this bike to last me for a lifetime’,” he says.

Each of his customers is willing to wait six months for a bike to be crafted to their wishes, regardless of whether they live locally or abroad. Along with

Pelago’s Timo (left) and Mikko Hyppönen started out by scouring local waste dumps for old bike parts.

UNIQUE GROWTH Whilst Sowter’s customers are drawn to the joy of owning something bespoke to them, a few also turn to Saffron Frameworks partly out of necessity.

“I’m fairly short, and there are limited options for women’s performance bicycles designed to fit my body,” explains Londoner Collyn Ahart.

A lifelong cyclist, Ahart has welcomed the general shift away from the omnipresent mass-produced bicycles of the ’90s. She is pleased to be joined by a growing number who share her enthusiasm for more individual specs.

“People like me who are now in their 30s, having grown up in a culture of design and personalisation, finally have the money to invest in the things which are important to us,” she says.

And, pointing to the emerging purchasing power of younger millennials, Ahart sees the stature of the industry further picking up speed in forthcoming years with its high-quality and involving attributes.

“If anything, other industries have a lot to learn from the custom bicycle world.” l www.pelagobicycles.com www.saffronframeworks.com PHIL GALE

PEKKA TAHKOLA

patience, another trait they share is having deep pockets. The average cost of each bike produced at Saffron Frameworks is approximately 5,500 pounds (7,800 euros).

SNOW’S NO OBSTACLE

Perhaps one of the most unexpected sights you may come across during the snow-packed Finnish winter is that of people casually cycling about town.

And, given the ease with which Finns harness their velocipedes, it’s no surprise then that the Winter Cycling Federation originated in the city of Oulu.

Luckily the president of the organisation, Timo Perälä, is on hand to dispel some common misconceptions and clear the path towards getting your ­winter wheels turning.

IT’S NOT DANGEROUS “For me cycling throughout the year is nothing special.

It is the normal way to get around. Walking in the wintertime is actually more dangerous than cycling.

Also, your lungs won’t freeze. If it’s really cold just go slower, be careful. Even when it’s -30° Celsius you can cycle, it’s just a question of clothing.”

Matthew Sowter creates around 40 bikes every year from the frame up.

IT’S NOT EXPENSIVE “The cost of winter biking is zero. You don’t need extra gear; just put warmer clothes on. I do nothing for my bike in winter. Around 30 per cent of people here in Oulu use winter tyres, but I just go and ride.”

BEHIND THE SCENES

IT’S NOT COMPLICATED “You can’t use a really fancy bike meant for summer cycling. Simple bikes are best. They work when it’s really cold, with no gears or handbrakes that will freeze.”

James O’Sullivan is an Australian writer who loves discovering his adopted hometown of Helsinki by bike. After this article, he might finally be able to do so in winter, too.

IT’S NOT JUST FOR SOME “In Oulu you see grannies riding along with their ­groceries and kids going to school. It’s normal. When I show pictures of this to Canadians and Americans they are amazed. Over there it is considered an extreme sport.”

James O’Sullivan

Juha Salminen

Sanoma’s staff photographer Juha Salminen is also a keen cyclist who rides his bike year-round.

THE 2016 WINTER CYCLING CONGRESS is being held from February 2-4 in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, US. wintercyclingcongress2016.org

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TALKING SHOP Bike stores in 2016 are far from the bare bones enterprises they once were, with a wide range of coffee, apparel, and accessories sharing shelf space with their traditional stock-in-trade.

But what components make up a good store?

For Pelago’s Timo Hyppönen “it all comes down to selection and service.”

Here are some of his tips to find a great bike experience around the world.

“It all comes down to selection and service.”

– Timo Hyppönen, Pelago

ALEX SINGER PARIS. “One of last remaining old school workshop stores. A pilgrimage for randonneurs.” cycles-alex-singer.fr

FACTORY FIVE SHANGHAI. “They’re famous for fixedgear online channels.” wearefactoryfive.com

KRANKENHOUSE / DAPPER OSLO. “These guys own the block in Oslo. They are general style dictators.” dapper.no

GAMLA STAN CYKEL STOCKHOLM. “Located on the same street since 1913. The store is Stockholm’s best-kept secret.”

BLUE LUG TOKYO. “Open-hearted, true approach towards cycling. Conveys a nice atmosphere.”

gamlastanscykel.se

GOLDEN SADDLE CYCLERY LOS ANGELES. “Dedicated store with a friendly atmosphere.” goldensaddlecyclery.com

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bluelug.com

REDBEARD NEW YORK CITY. “Top end road bikes and custom builds in Brooklyn.” redbeardbikes.com

LOOK MUM NO HANDS LONDON. “A vivid hub that’s one of the most authentic and true cycle cafés and workshops out there.” lookmumnohands.com

TEXT BY JORMA LEPPÄNEN ILLUSTRATION BY TIINA KÄLKÄINEN

Traffic lab Finland

Finland has become one of world’s leading test fields for innovative services in traffic and logistics.

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In Hietanen’s vision, the entire transport sector is a cooperative, interconnected ecosystem providing services reflecting the needs of customers. “The boundaries between different transport modes are blurred or disappear completely,” he says.

MaaS is enabled by the ubiquity of multiple technologies such as wireless broadband, smartphones and tablets as interfaces, location-based services, and connected cars. Data infrastructure and physical infrastructure together compose the essential platform for mobility services.

F

or tech-savvy Finns, automated cars on the roads and drones in the skies will soon be commonplace. In Lapland, a unified intelligent traffic ecosystem, named the Aurora Project, will offer testing opportunities for application developers from all over the world.

In Helsinki, even the Finnish postal service has begun tests with drones to deliver online purchases.

“We saw quite early that information is the fuel of digital services. Nearly two decades ago, we designed the architecture for modern telecommunication services, and now it is time to revolutionise the transport industry,” says Harri Pursiainen, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. “The purpose is no longer to improve the transport system by building more capacity, but by using the existing capacity in a smarter way.”

A key factor in the 1990s behind the success of, for example, Nokia’s mobile phone business and Sonera’s mobile operator business was the state authority’s ability to create a clever framework for both domestic and international competition. Also in the case of today’s transport policy, social and physical infrastructures are being developed hand in hand.

We encourage innovation and service platforms in sectors where public administration plays a role in terms of the functioning of the markets, says Pursiainen.

MOBILITY AS SERVICE One of the sectors Pursiainen refers to is Mobility as a Service (MaaS). It is a mobility distribution model in which a customer’s major transportation needs are met over one interface and offered by a service provider.

The inventor and developer of MaaS, Sampo Hietanen, has become one of the most well-known Finns in the world. He has much in common with the digital gurus Jeremy Rifkin and Don Tapscott. They all emphasise that we are moving towards a culture of transparency and sharing.

“MaaS stands for buying mobility services based on consumer needs instead of buying the means of mobility,” says Hietanen.

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AUTONOMIC VEHICLES IN LAPLAND Piloting of the MaaS concept as a sub-project of Aurora will begin in the Ylläs region this winter.

Aurora will be an internationally unique informationbased testing area and competence centre for intelligent transport automation in Lapland. Some of the testing activities can even take place on public roads as Finnish legislation allows experiments in road transport automation – if test number plates are used.

In the not-too-distant future, the tourist centres of Lapland can produce mobility services using autonomous vehicles that utilise information about the road, conditions and traffic in their operations. Similar services are being developed elsewhere in Europe, too, yet Finland and the Nordic countries have a major advantage on their side.

“In the Nordic countries, mobile networks are high quality, and there are cases of network cooperation across borders. Mobile networks will be the primary technology in communicating between vehicles,” says Ilkka Kotilainen, project manager, NordicWay, Coop project.

Elsewhere in Europe, solutions have been based on separate short-range communication stations built along the roads. The Nordic model based on mobile networks covers much more area and is also less expensive since communication stations already exist.

The Coop project will start in Finland in April. The goal of the pilot is to gather realistic information on traffic safety and practical experiences on how different parts of the service and the mobile network function for information sharing. “This is one way of preparing for the automatisation of road traffic,” says Kotilainen.

Aurora will be a unique informationbased testing area for intelligent transport automation in Lapland.

MANY USES FOR DRONES Innovative solutions are being developed to meet the challenges of unmanned aviation, too. Posti Group, the Finnish postal service, is the first company in Europe to experiment with unmanned aer-

ial vehicles (UAV) for mail delivery in an urban area.

The first tests with drones took place in September 2015, between mainland Helsinki and Suomenlinna, an island fortress some five kilometres from the city centre.

According to Tero Heinonen from Sharper Sharpe, the company responsible for the technical aspects and operation of the drones used by Posti Group, there is great interest in drone technology in Finland.

“I expect that in the future we will see many kinds of applications for drone technology in deliveries, precision agriculture, power-line inspections and so forth,” says Heinonen.

Also in the field of unmanned aviation, Finland’s public sector acts as policy maker and enabler, while the private sector acts as executor and commercialiser.

Finland would be an ideal testing field for unmanned cargo aircraft, believes Dr. Hans Heerkens from the University of Twente, the Netherlands.

“In a large and thinly populated country such as Finland, unmanned cargo aircraft would be a model transport solution,” he says.

As the chairman of the Platform Unmanned Cargo Aircraft PUCA, Heerkens is trying to solve big design problems in very much the same way they have been solved in Finland’s transport and communication industries.

“Our work is not about designing the aircraft anymore. We have to design the whole ecosystem around it. As the main technical challenges are already solved, all the relevant players such as shippers, freight companies, aircraft manufacturers, air cargo companies and regulators need to put their heads together and make unmanned cargo aircraft happen,” says Heerkens.

In a globalised world, solutions will be found through international cooperation. In the long run, the best regulation and the best standards will win.

Meanwhile, the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, Trafi, is drafting provisions on unmanned aircraft systems. The goal is light and modern regulation. l

AUTOMATION TIMELINE The evolution of driving automation started with the first driver assistance systems in the 1990s. Level 2 was reached a few years ago when cars with lane departure warning systems and adaptive cruise control systems were introduced.

“Some level 2 cars also had an automatic emergency braking system. Today, the driver can choose to take his hands off the steering wheel and feet off the pedals, as long as he or she is ready to take control of the car whenever needed,” says Risto Kulmala, chief specialist at the Finnish Transport Agency.

According to Kulmala, traditional car manufacturers are moving to level 3 within a few years.

“Non-traditional car manufacturers are close to levels 4 and 5. Google is expected to bring a robot car into the market within a couple of years. It should function with normal speed in urban environments,” he says.

At the 2015 Vantaa Housing Fair in Finland, the public was offered rides in an automated bus that could accurately find its route. “The experiment was a success.

However, the speed of the automated bus was only 13 kilometres an hour,” notes Kulmala.

SAE INTERNATIONAL’S LEVELS OF DRIVING AUTOMATION FOR ON-ROAD VEHICLES Level

Name

Narrative definition

Human driver monitors the driving environment 0

No Automation

The full-time performance by the human driver of all aspects of the dynamic driving task.

1

Driver Assistance

The driving mode-specific execution by a driver assistance system of either steering or acceleration/deceleration.

2

Partial Automation

The driving mode-specific execution by one or more driver assistance systems of both steering and acceleration/ deceleration.

Automatic driving system (“system”) monitors the driving environment 3

Conditional Automation

The driving mode-specific performance by an automated driving ­system of all aspects of the dynamic driving task with the expectation that the human driver will respond appropriately to a request to intervene.

4

High Automation

The driving mode-specific performance by an automated driving ­system of all aspects of the dynamic driving task, even if a human driver does not respond appropriately to a request to intervene.

5

Full Automation

The full-time performance by an automated driving system of all ­aspects of the dynamic driving task.

Source: SAE International

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EUROPEAN VOICES

BY MARJA MAKAROW

Science lights the way to the future

H

eading back to Helsinki Back in 2006, few people had even after an intense busiheard of LEDs, but everyone was able to ness trip to Oslo last appreciate the brilliant luminosity of the October, I found myself new traffic lights on our city streets and seated in Finnair’s very the cute chains of fairy lights that brighten first, brand-new A350 up our Christmases. Today, LED appliXWB aircraft. It turned out the plane was cations are found everywhere. They also conducting a few test flights in Europe enable new types of television and combefore embarking on long-haul routes puter displays, and have sparked a globally between Helsinki and Asian capitals. flourishing business sector. LED technolThe extra-wide body was indeed shiny ogy enhances quality of life in areas that and comfortable, but what really caught lack electricity, as LEDs can be powered my eye was the lighting. The cabin’s ceilby solar energy. They are also sustainable ing pulsated in because they consume far enchanting, slowly less energy and have a much INNOVATIONS THAT changing colours longer lifetime than the EdiCHANGE THE WORLD – a soothing pastel son light bulb. According to as we headed up OWE THEIR EXISTENCE fresh statistics, an increasinto the skies, ing number of Finnish TO YEARS OF and a different households have adopted RESEARCH AND HARD shade as we LEDs, which has decreased headed back their annual lighting energy WORK. down again. consumption by 9 per cent.

Instead of LED lights not only concentrating on the documents I enhance our daily life, but they also prowas supposed to be reading, I sat vide new opportunities for artists. From back to admire the Aurora BoreaJanuary 6 to 10, Helsinki will host the lis-like spectacle. eighth Lux Helsinki festival, which features The light display that livens up magnificent LED-based light artworks the interiors of the A350 XWB realized by some of the most fascinating fleet is designed around blue and international and Finnish artists. white light-emitting diodes – LEDs Innovations that change the world owe for short – a breakthrough techtheir existence to years of research and nology enabling thousands of difhard work. Now more than ever, we need ferent colour options. LEDs were to transform new research findings into developed by the Japanese sciensolutions that help us address global chaltist Shuji Nakamura, for which lenges and create growth and prosperity. he was awarded the 2014 Nobel This is among the reasons why awards like Prize. Before that, in 2006, he had the Nobel Prize and the Millennium Techalready received one the world’s nology Prize are so very important. l most important innovation prizes, Professor MARJA MAKAROW is vice the Millennium Technology Prize.

The prize is awarded by the Technology president for research at the Academy of Finland – the Finnish Research Council. She is Academy Finland, which was established also chair of Technology Academy Finland and ten years ago by Finnish high-tech industhe former chief executive of the European try in partnership with the Finnish govScience Foundation. ernment and academic institutions.

64 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

ENTERTAINMENT ON THE

SILVER SCREEN – 297 OF THEM TO BE PRECISE The incredible new Finnair Airbus A350, with a personal entertainment system boasting a bigger screen and a wireless network connection. Finnair is Europe’s first airline to fly the new Airbus A350. Experience a new sense of flying at A350.finnair.com

Finnair flies to 17 destinations in Asia and over 60 destinations in Europe.

DESTINATION FLORIDA

SLOW SHOPPING IN

ST. AUGUSTINE

T

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MIRVA LEMPIÄINEN

here’s an undeniably European vibe as you step through the stonepillared city gates of historic St. Augustine, Florida. Gone are the cars and giant malls that the US is famous for – instead you’ll see people strolling leisurely and popping into the small boutiques that dot both sides of St. George Street, the town’s pedestrian promenade.

Celebrating its 450th anniversary last year, St. Augustine is the oldest continually inhabited city in the US. The old-school pace makes it an ideal place for small businesses to flourish.

One of the most popular shops on St. George Street is the family-owned purse and accessory store Spanish Dutch Convoy. The store manager Michelle Pruitt Vijgen describes her hometown as a great shopping destination.

“St. Augustine still has a lot of small businesses,” she says, recommending the city to anyone looking

for unique finds. In particular, Pruitt Vijgen likes Magnolia Supply with its “boho-chic, hip Cali girl” theme.

Located on nearby San Marco Avenue, ­Magnolia Supply was opened just last year by Bri West and Tara Ferreire. Initially the two friends thought about getting a mobile boutique fashion truck, but then opted for a brick and mortar store – literally.

The store’s walls are made of red brick, offering a neat contrast to the clothing racks bursting with light and pastel-coloured clothes and accessories.

“We definitely have a bohemian vibe. We love vintage clothing and have an amazing collection,” says West.

Magnolia Supply’s inventory includes local products, such as jewellery by St. Augustine-based Pinfeather Designs and handmade headgear by Conner Hats. Leather products come from Orlando-based Love+Leather.

“We try to favour Made in America when possible,” West explains. l

LOVING THE LEATHER

FROM BEACH TO TOWN

EVER SO ECLECTIC

Run by a third-generation Dutch ­entrepreneur family, the Spanish Dutch ­Convoy at 60 St. George Street is a two-room boutique filled to the brim with imported leather bags, print purses, hats, jewellery, and accessories. A second store opened three years ago at 58 San Marco Avenue.

Embroidered bikinis, lace dresses, and fringe skirts fill the racks at Goldfinch at 77 San Marco Avenue. Chosen St. Augustine’s best boutique from 2009 to 2011, Goldfinch is located in the fashionable uptown St. Augustine. This is the second main shopping area, in addition to St. George Street (pictured above).

Founded by Karen and Tom Rochelle in 1984, Rochelle’s Clothing is one of the area’s longest-standing fashion boutiques. The sexy Miami looks and curated designer collection have earned the shop several awards. Rochelle’s is located in a historic former sign studio on Anastasia Island at 104 Anastasia Boulevard.

spanishdutchconvoy.com

goldfinchboutique.com

rochellesclothing.com

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A I M

to ies es fl air e tim n n e Fi thr ly. mi a ek i M we .com air finn

Mangolia Supply’s founders Tara Ferreire (left) and Bri West studied together at Flagler College, a small liberal arts school in St. Augustine.

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DESTINATION INDIA

Indian soul,

French accent On the south-east coast of India, the unique melting pot of Pondicherry combines French colonial history with an Indian interest in all things spiritual.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TIM BIRD

68 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

Shady tunnels ­interwoven with vivid pink and yellow bougainvillea alleviate the heat in Pondicherry.

DE L

Fin n De air fl lhi i five es to tim we finn ekly. es air .co m

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Sunrise on Pondicherry’s Promenade is greeted by joggers and strollers.

I

t’s sunrise on the Promenade at Pondicherry and the fishing boats are chugging back to shore through a carpet of orange-tinted sea. Behind the statue of Gandhi opposite the old lighthouse a man meditates, cross-legged, straight-backed, on the rocks.

Pondicherry: the name alone has a certain whimsical charm. But the city’s original and currently official name, predating the French colonial rule that ended in 1954, is Puducherry, from the Tamil for ‘new town’.

As one of several Union Territories in India governed directly from New Delhi, Pondy, as it is popularly known, occupies the same pocket in the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu as the erstwhile French colony. Three other small southern Indian districts, also defined by previous French rule, fall within the same territory.

Its isolated administrative geography sets the tone for Pondy’s distinct character. Although it can hardly be mistaken for Provence or Normandy, the city’s hints of Gallic allure, especially in the so-called Heritage Area, remain a prime attraction. There is nothing staged about the French names on the street signs, the Gendarme-style Kepis sported by the policemen, the elegant villa facades or the faint aroma of coffee and croissants wafting from the cafés. The faded colonial elegance is not endangered, but Pondy’s heart beats to a very Indian pulse.

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INDIAN, FRENCH, OR INDO-FRENCH? There are few better places in India than Pondicherry to sample fresh seafood.

French, Indian and other Asian delights are served at LE CLUB, the restaurant of the Hotel de Pondichéry, which occupies a ­spacious courtyard close to the south end of the Promenade. The prawns masala curry (around €7 with steamed rice) will leave you in a delicious daze.

SPICE ROUTE is similarly priced and serves a similarly memorable fish curry, as well as burgers, pasta, and omelettes for anyone craving western fare.

The restaurant in the yard at LA MAISON ROSE serves cocktails and sumptuous IndoFrench cuisine. Those tiger prawns figure prominently again (about €10) and the guava compote dessert completes a delightful meal.

The Domus, Amethyst, and Oh La La! boutiques are housed in the adjacent villa.

The ubiquitous KINGFISHER BEER is available everywhere at around €2 for big 660 ml bottles. Indian wine is improving but still pricey. Expect to pay about €6-7 for a glass of Sula Sauvignon Blanc.

French-style ­gendarme uniforms are still worn by city police.

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A ‘toy train’ tours Pondicherry’s botanical gardens.

Sindhuja Rai and Disa Gudmunds run the chic ­Dis-Dis boutique.

Divided into French and Indian quarters – the socalled Ville Blanche and Ville Noire – it’s a compact town with a population of around 700,000. For India, the layout is a relatively logical one based on a grid of parallel streets running north to south and east to west. Trees arch over the roads, forming shady tunnels interwoven with vivid pink and yellow bougainvillea, alleviating the summer heat. The temperatures rarely dip below the mid-20s Celsius, and the monsoon showers from July to September are refreshing rather than chilly.

A LOT OF GAUL The salty air of the mile-long Promenade, lined on one side by a craggy shoreline and on the other by a number of small hotels and monuments, seems to define the city’s character. Every morning and every evening, tourists, most of them from other parts of India, and locals gravitate to the seafront, grateful for the breeze and the convivial throng.

In spite of the numbers that turn out, there is a sense of space that’s rare in India.

“It feels like a small town, far from the madding crowd,” says Sindhuja Rai, who hails from Delhi and runs the DisDis boutique with Icelandic designer Disa Gudmunds. “It’s easy to travel across town from one place to another.”

Their chic shop-cum-café is an example of Pondy’s unique Indo-European cosmopolitan blend. Another

Many overseas visitors are drawn here by spiritual ambitions.

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Vasanty Manet, dancer-turned-designer: “I’m totally at ease living between two cultures.”

is Via Pondichéry at 22 Romain Rolland Street, a colour-packed boutique and showroom for the creations of classical dancer-turned-designer Vasanty Manet.

Sequined bags, stylish pashminas, bangles and necklaces all place traditional Indian elements in a modern European, slightly hippy context.

On the porch of her 17th-century wooden-beamed house at the back of Via Pondichéry, Manet explains that her ancestors made the choice offered to them in the 1880s to take French citizenship along with a French name. “French and Tamil are my two first languages. I studied in France but my mother was a

The coastline of the Bay of Bengal gives Pondy a special seaside character.

Tamil language teacher, very keen to keep us close to our roots through dance and music.”

Manet’s family are Christians, but have remained sensitive to Hinduism because of their interest in dance. “I’m totally at ease sitting between two cultures. I can choose the best of each,” she says.

Residents stroll the Promenade every morning and evening.

Betel leaves on sale at the ­central market place.

MOTHER LOVE Many overseas visitors are drawn to Pondicherry by spiritual rather than business ambitions. The town is the home of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram where devotees from around the world take up short- or longterm residence to study the yoga and teachings of its eponymous founder.

Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) lends his name to services, shops and products across the city, where the Sri Aurobindo Society holds conspicuous sway in city life. There are Auro travel agents, Auro Ayurveda medicine shops, Auro cafés and, 14 kilometres to the north, there is Auroville.

An enigmatic French woman, Mirra Alfassa, founded the experimental community of Auroville, populated to varying degrees of permanency by foreign and Indian spiritual pilgrims, in the late 1960s.

Referred to with unerring reverence as The Mother, she was inspired by Sri Aurobindo’s teachings to nurture a society that aimed at spiritual oneness, undivided by religious allegiance.

At Auroville soul-searchers take up residence in clusters of guesthouses scattered among beautiful woodlands, but casual visitors are directed to the Visitor’s Centre and a mini-mall of clothing, incense, candles and jewellery produced in the community.

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The French tricolore in a Pondy doorway.

WHERE TO STAY

A smart new addition to Pondicherry’s range of accommodation is ATHITI, a 15-minute walk from the Promenade on the northern edge of the Heritage Area. Double AC room rates of around €60 include a good buffet breakfast, attentive service – and a rooftop swimming pool with a great view. atithipondicherry.com The Ville Blanche contains several atmospheric and historic hotels and guesthouses.

HOTEL DU PARC has real colonial character and is right in the heart of the French quarter, with a tariff ranging from around €65 for a standard room to €120 for a suite in high season. hotelduparc.co.in The HOTEL DE PONDICHÉRY takes the chic colonial boutique theme to a slightly higher level, with wicker chairs and shady colonnades close to the Promenade. A superior deluxe room costs about €70. hoteldepondicherry.com The SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM offers basic guesthouse accommodation around town, open to all but mainly for Ashram visitors – no phones, no TV, no room service. Gates close at 10:30 pm, but the rooms are clean and affordable. Contact the Ashram for prices and details. sriaurobindoashram.org

74 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

and cafés dotted around Auroville’s ‘suburbs’. First they must obtain tokens to take the short stroll to the viewing point facing the giant golden golf ball that is the Matrimandir, a symbol of meditative purity containing a central white-walled chamber. In the centre of the chamber is a glass crystal, a focus for the contemplations of those considered sufficiently sincere to enter.

The Matrimandir – Temple of the Mother – is the nucleus of Auroville’s gradually expanding spiritual city and a tribute to its founder. There may be a contradiction between The Mother’s rejection of religion in her project and the cult of reverence that has developed around her since her death in 1973. But Auroville exudes an earnest, peaceful calm, and it could well be the least littered part of populated India you’ll ever enter.

THE EARLY LIFE OF PI India’s diverse spiritual heritage remains in evidence in Pondy. Its religious mix was the setting for the early scenes of Yann Martel’s novel, The Life of Pi, and parts of the movie adaptation directed by Ang Lee were filmed here.

Everywhere ritual mandalas decorate the shopfront pavements and, thanks to the French presence, the towers and baroque facades of Catholic churches decorate the skyline. Carmelite and Franciscan nuns in white habits bustle between Catholic schools and convents. In the courtyard of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, a banner reads: “Do whatever He tells you.”

An ageing elephant takes up occasional residence opposite a temple dedicated to Ganesh, the Hindu elephant god, delivering blessings with its trunk not far from the doors of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Incense

Fishermen take a break on a Pondocherry pier.

spirals up from the shrines in the other Hindu temples dotted around town, where bees buzz around bouquets of giant lotuses sold as offerings.

The true core of the city, its marketplace, remains totally Indian in character. A vendor creates an artistic spiralled pile of betel leaves, which are chewed to clean the mouth and valued as a mild stimulant.

Another assembles a neat display of pomegranates, the topmost fruit dissembled to reveal the tempting, ripe-red insides. Heaps of herbs and columns of bananas vie with sacks of peanuts; baskets of tomatoes topple into crates of purple shallots.

The smell of fish mingles with the hint of ginger, and all the conflicting colours are set to a soundtrack of yells and haggling. Outside, on Mahatma Gandhi Road, the main street running roughly north to south, bicycle bells add to the cacophony. The motorcycles weave and wobble, and there is the normal Indian din of hooting auto rickshaw horns.

In Pondicherry, as in Goa on the west coast with its Portuguese undertones, clear notes remain of a colonial past. But no one should be fooled into thinking this is some kind of European outpost. This is India, in all its chaotic, vivid, startling glory. l

BEHIND THE SCENES

Tim Bird

A Helsinki-based English journalist and photographer, Tim Bird is a long-term contributor to Blue Wings.

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FINNAIR NEWS

DID YOU KNOW? While you’re milling around the MATKA Nordic Travel Fair, you can buy your favourite travel essentials at Finnair’s pre-order pop-up shop at Helsinki’s Messukeskus, January 21–24.

ANTTI RAATIKAINEN

DESTINATIONS

Top 3 Thailand destinations

Exuberant Bangkok, the country’s capital and its largest city with a population of 11 million people, boasts sensational street food, impressive temples, and a lively nightlife.

Flying the crew to Lapland AS FINNAIR enters a new phase of growth, the excitement over Finnair’s new fleet of A350 XWB aircraft was shared with personnel in special crew flights from Helsinki to Finnish Lapland in late November.

One quarter of Finnair employees – 1,000 people – were able to try out the new state-of-the-art planes as passengers.

“The flights were incredible!” says Eija Hakakari, Finnair’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources, who blogged about her experiences onboard one of the four flights to Rovaniemi, Lapland. “The aircraft is very quiet, but we weren’t able to witness this feature on these flights due to the lively and uplifting (and loud) chitchat! It was amazing to see an aircraft full of familiar and new people.”

Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo was also along for the ride on all of the flights.

“Our staff has really been impressed by the A350,” says Finnair’s communication 76 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

specialist, Satu Haataja. “Features such as the tail camera and mood lighting, as well as the spaciousness and quietness have been applauded.”

As the trips were organised in the leadup to the holiday season, Santa Claus greeted staff in Rovaniemi, the official airport of Santa Claus.

As Finnair prepares for long-haul ­traffic growth this year, it begins the largest recruitment drive in its history. An additional 100 new pilots, 300 new cabin crew, and 50 customer service staff will be hired. In 2015, 70 new pilots and 130 cabin attendants were recruited.

In October, Finnair took delivery of its first A350 XWB aircraft and altogether 19 have been ordered. The new wide-body aircraft are the engine of Finnair’s growth and add capacity to its long-haul routes. finnair.com

Laidback Krabi on the Andaman Sea features a breath-taking karst cape and the perfect setting for a beachside holiday.

Rain forested and mountainous Phuket offers some of Thailand’s top beaches and many high-end seaside resorts.

Kesän 2016 uutuus Aurinkoklubi on hauskaa tekemistä, ainutlaatuisia lomahetkiä ja uusia kavereita nuoremmille aurinkomatkalaisille!

3–6-vuotiaille lapsille tarkoitettu maksuton, suomenkielinen Lasten Aurinkoklubi kutsuu pienet aurinkomatkalaiset nauttimaan ikiomasta lomaohjelmasta koulutettujen ohjaajiemme kanssa. Aurinkoklubi toimii lapsiperheiden suosimissa Aurinkoklubi-hotelleissa, jotka on suunniteltu tarjoamaan täydellinen lomamatka kaikenikäisille aurinkomatkalaisille. 7–17-vuotiaille lomailijoille löytyy oma Nuorten Aurinkoklubi.

Tervetuloa mukaan!

Lue lisää ja varaa paikat ensi kesän lomamatkalle: aurinkomatkat.fi/aurinkoklubi

FINNAIR NEWS

FEEL FINNAIR Finnair has 20,000+ Instagram ­followers! Tag @FeelFinnair or #FeelFinnair to share your photos.

FINAVIA

Finnair crew tips Flight attendant Viveka Peippo, who always packs her sneakers, reveals the best ways to experience Berlin, Budapest, and Barcelona.

Top 3 active travel tips

1

Cycle through Berlin on a Fat Tire Bike Tour. These guided tours provide an excellent overview of the once-divided city’s recent history.

Three ways to the airport THERE ARE MANY options for travelling to and from Helsinki Airport, which is about 20 kilometres from the centre of Helsinki.

The Finnair City Bus runs every 20 minutes daily between the Central Railway Station and the Airport and costs 6.30 euros (one-way) if the ticket is purchased from the driver. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Advance tickets are available online at a discount.

The new Ring Rail Line train operated

by Helsinki Region Transport runs every

10 minutes from the Central Railway Station to the Airport with several stops along the way. Journey time is up to 45 minutes; cost of a one-way regional ticket is 5 euros.

Taxi stands can be found at Helsinki Airport and throughout central Helsinki.

The average cost for a ride from the Central Railway Station to the Airport starts from about 35 euros. finnaircitybus.com hsl.fi taksihelsinki.fi/en

TWEET OF THIS MONTH

Congratulations to our new cabin crew who have just graduated today!

2

Early risers in Barcelona can combine fun and fitness by heading out for a jog with a guide when the streets are empty and tourist-free. For night owls, there’s also evening run options with Go! Running Tours Barcelona.

3

A walking tour of Budapest in Finnish (www.opas.hu) will take you to the key sights like a local by metro or bus and provide a view into daily life in the Hungarian capital.

FEELFINNAIR ON INSTAGRAM

New! A selection of Blue Wings stories is published on the Finnair Blog each month:

twitter.com/Finnair

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blog.finnair.com/en/

Regram from @jpohku.

Lovely and colorful team of plane-spotters! instagram.com/feelfinnair

online in issuu.com

Read Blue Wings online at issuu.com

issuu.com/headofficefinland

FLY FINNAIR

Your complete guide to travelling with us

WELCOME ABOARD We want you to enjoy your flight. This guide contains all the information you need for stress-free travelling. We have even included tips for inflight wellbeing and entertainment.

So sit back, relax and enjoy your travel experience.

In this guide 80 81 82 83 84 85 88 92 94 98

TIPS FOR TAKEOFF INFLIGHT WELLBEING ENTERTAINMENT SHOPPING SUSTAINABILITY HELSINKI AIRPORT MAPS FLEET FREQUENT FLYERS FINLAND IN FIGURES JANUARY 2016

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FLY FINNAIR TIPS FOR TAKEOFF

FINNAIR

TRAVEL TIPS

in a nutshell

MARIKA NIEMINEN Process Owner, Customer Experience at Ground Operations, began her career with Finnair 19 years ago

Established in 1923, Finnair is one of the world’s oldest operating airlines.

“Keeping it simple and avoiding the queues – that’s what customers want!

So save time before your d ­ eparture and check-in in advance. You can do this online, via your mobile, or let Finnair take care of it automatically.

Once you arrive to Helsinki Airport, print out the bag tag from the selfservice kiosk and drop off your baggage to the automated Bag Drops.

Using the Finnair app or mobile boarding pass is also a great way to stay updated on gate changes as well as the boarding status of your flight.

One last tip. Keep an eye out for self-boarding gates as they are being installed throughout the airport.

Smooth travelling and happy ­landings!”

Finnair’s route network includes more than 50 international destinations.

In 2014, Finnair carried 9.6 million passengers.

More than 1.5 million passengers fly between Asia and Helsinki each year.

SAFETY

IN YOUR POCKET THE FINNAIR MOBILE APP is ­available for iOS and Android devices. The app ­provides up-to-the-minute flight information and ­e-boarding pass storage.

Check-in on your mobile to avoid the queues, upgrade your travel class and view Finnair Plus point ­balances.

Simply log in with your Finnair Plus member ID. Go to finnair.com to learn more and see all the ­features.

80 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

SMOOTH JOURNEY SAFETY INFORMATION is presented by the cabin crew at the start of each flight. This information is also listed on the safety instruction card in your seat pocket.

Safety belts must remain fastened when the “Fasten safety belt” sign is on. For safety reasons we recommend keeping them fastened even when the sign has been switched off.

Handheld devices can be used throughout the flight (including takeoff and landing) in airplane-mode.

Laptops and larger devices must be stowed away during takeoff and landing, but can be used when the “Fasten safety belt” sign has been switched off.

FLY FINNAIR INFLIGHT WELLBEING

FOOD AND DRINK

EAT WELL

Feel Finnair and the best of Nordic hospitality. Business Class passengers on long-haul flights can enjoy a glamourous dining experience with our Signature Menu dishes that fuse elements of traditional Finnish cuisine.

Foods to fuel on European flights FANCY A SNACK ONBOARD? Then take a look at the Sky Bistro menu card in your seat pocket. For a small fee, you can choose from a tasty ­selection of food and beverages. Try our new cucumber drink – it will keep you hydrated during the flight! Coffee, tea, water and Finnair’s ­signature blueberry juice are always served free of charge on all Finnair flights.

WELLBEING

MINDFULNESS

INFLIGHT EXERCISES

Sit back and relax

These moves keep you fit while flying. Hold each movement for a few seconds and repeat five times per side.

Mindfulness instructor Aleksi Litovaara's exercises will help you feel calm and rested during your flight.

1

BE AWARE: The basic idea of mindfulness is that you have arrived. The aircraft is already taking you where you need to be so just sit back and relax. Watch, listen and feel your present environment.

CIRCLES

LIFT

RAISE

LOWER

Lift one foot and draw circles with your toes.

Reverse direction.

Lift one knee up and then lower your foot back down to the floor.

Keep heels on the floor and lift your toes upwards, then release.

Keep toes on the floor and lift your heels upwards, then release.

2

TACKLE ANXIETY: If you experience nervousness or restlessness, try holding an object in your hand. It will help bring your attention to that simple physical sensation instead of getting caught up in your own thoughts.

3 SHRUG

NOD

ROTATE

TURN

Lift your shoulders up towards your ears and release.

Lower your chin slowly towards your chest and lift back up again.

Gently rotate your head from side to side. Keep your shoulders relaxed.

Slowly lower your left ear to your left shoulder and then back up again.

THINK POSITIVE: This is a good ­moment to choose nice words towards yourself and other passengers — if only in your mind. You can also ask yourself: what do I need right now? It may well be reading a book or getting some rest instead of working on your computer. aleksilitovaara.com

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FLY FINNAIR ENTERTAINMENT

BE ENTERTAINED AND CONNECTED

WHAT’S PLAYING

Finnair’s inflight experience has come a long way.

The N ­ ordic Sky entertainment system is the perfect travel companion. Experience it now on Finnair A350 XWB aircraft.

ON SCREEN

THE STATE-OF-THE-ART Nordic Sky ­inflight ­entertainment system, available on A350 flights, offers ­passengers ­individual screens with ­audio and video on demand throughout the cabin.

The onboard Wi-Fi portal connects to your personal devices and gives you access to finnair.com and Finnair services including pre-order shopping.

The homescreen display shows the main stages of the flight, guiding passengers from departure throughout all stages of their journey, informing them in advance when meals will be served, when rest lighting will be activated, and when passengers can make purchases from the inflight shopping service.

Would you like to know more about your destination? Nordic Sky offers travel tips and goodto-know information to make your landing even easier.

Here’s how to get started: 1. Turn on your WiFi enabled device in flight mode and ­enable Wi-Fi. 2. Join the Wi-Fi ­network “Nordic Sky”.

3. Open the browser of your choice.

4. Start exploring.

The Nordic Sky entertainment system and ­ Wi-Fi keeps you entertained and connected throughout your journey.

PICK OF THE MONTH Action adventure

BLACK MASS The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most violent criminal in the history of South Boston.

82 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

Latest films and TV series

MOVIE SICARIO. An FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the war against drugs at the border between the U.S. and Mexico.

MOVIE THE MARTIAN. During a mission to Mars, Mark Watney is presumed dead after a storm. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone.

MOVIE THE INTERN. 70-year-old Ben Whittaker seizes an opportunity to avoid humdrum retirement by becoming a senior intern at an online fashion site.

TV SERIES PROJECT GREENLIGHT. The series chronicles the search for a first-time director and ­explores the filmmaking process.

TV SERIES THE MYSTERIES OF...

A Jane Doe is found in Times Square with no memory and mysterious tattoos on her body.

RADIO NEW YORK NEW YORK. Get into an Empire State of Mind with tunes by those that know the place best. Enjoy more music at mixrad.io.

PLUG IN!

Most Airbus A340 aircraft and all Airbus A330 aircraft are equipped with an electricity socket, which you will find under your seat. On the Airbus A350 aircraft, a USB port is located in the seatback monitor in Economy class and directly from the seat in ­Business class.

FLY FINNAIR INFLIGHT SHOPPING

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PRE-ORDER before your next flight STOCK

-60%

FINNAIR CARRIES a wide selection of cosmetics, fragrances, gift items, confectionary and jewellery, all of which can be ­purchased before your flight. On most Intercontinental flights and flights to and from destinations outside the EU, wine and spirits are also available for purchase. You also earn Finnair Plus points with every purchase.

Make sure you have the top essentials while staying active on the go. Here are some ideas that are sure to please.

And remember – the Nordic Sky Wi-Fi portal onboard the A350 gives you direct access to pre-order shopping.

Pre-Order

CITY PRICE

-50%

CITY PRICE

-40%

LIFETRONS POWER SOLUTION XL – DIGITAL CHARGER in pre-order FINNAIRAvailableMADE EXCLUSIVEshoppingINcatalogue FINLAND €148.00

LIMITED

RITUALS, TRAVEL LIGHT FOR HER Available in pre-order shopping catalogue €17.50

CITY PRICE

CITY PRIC

FINNAIR

MAD

-60%

STOCK

-50%

SONY, IN EAR HEADPHONES Available in pre-order shopping catalogue €47.00

PRE-ORDER

for stress-free shopping RITUALS, TRAVEL SET FOR HIM Available in pre-order shopping catalogue €17.50

EXCLUSIVE

IN FINLAN

Ordering in advance is always a good idea.

You can save up to 60 per cent compared to city prices. There’s no minimum order LIMITED and your ­purchase will be waiting STOCK at your seat on your next flight!

CITY PRI

-60%

www.finnairshop.com

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FLY FINNAIR SUSTAINABILITY

AIRBUS

BETTER PLANET A few examples of Finnair’s societal involvement in action:

THE UNITED NATIONS Global Compact is a ­corporate responsibility initiative aiming to make human rights, fair labour standards, ­environmental responsibility and anti-corruption core parts of the participating companies’ operations. Finnair has been a member since 2013.

The airline company has also signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles in 2011.

NORDIC LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure P ­ roject), a non-profit organisation overseeing a ­system for thousands of companies and cities to measure, report and manage their environmental impact, has included Finnair in its 2015 Nordic Disclosure Leadership Index.

To earn a place on the list, organisations have to earn a disclosure score within the top 10 per cent among companies who publish their carbon emissions and energy data. Finnair scored 99 points out of 100, and was one of 35 Nordic companies included in the Leadership Index.

According to Finnair’s CEO Pekka Vauramo, the recognition validates the

WORK WITH US

DO GOOD Finnair makes it even easier to donate to charity. Passengers can now make a donation to UNICEF Finland when they book their flights on the Finnair website. Donations are possible in sums of one, five or ten euros.

Finnair also collaborates with many other environmental and ­humanitarian organisations.

84 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

airline’s efforts to disclose information pertaining to climate change.

“In order to take well-planned steps towards more sustainable aviation, it is important to understand the impact Finnair as an airline has on climate change,” he says.

Finnair is committed to an industrywide goal of stabilizing CO2 emissions in aviation by 2020. The airline maintains a modern fleet, focuses on efficient operations and transparent reporting, and supports research on biofuels and other initiatives for sustainable growth. www.cdp.net

­Members of Finnair’s frequent flyer programme can donate points to the following charities at pointshop.finnair.com: • The Finnish association for Nature Conservation • The Association of Friends of the University ­Children’s Hospitals • The Cancer Society of Finland • The Finnish Red Cross • UNICEF Finland • The Baltic Sea Action Group • Hope

IN AUTUMN 2015 Finnair received the first of 19 forthcoming Airbus A350 aircraft, which cut back on fuel consumption and emissions by 25 per cent.

FINNAIR is one of the first airlines in the world to receive an IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) certification; this environmental management system is designed to assess an airline’s environmental management.

THE AIRLINE supports the International Air ­Transport Association’s (IATA) goal of zero ­emissions trading scheme. Finnair is dedicated to reducing its carbon dioxide emission revenue as much as 20 per cent per tonne-kilometre from 2009 to 2017. Another ambitious goal is to reduce the total amount of de-icing fluids by 40 per cent from 2006 to 2016.

FINNAIR CONDUCTS an annual employee well-being survey, participates in campaigns promoting equal opportunities at the workplace and places a strong focus on occupational safety and continuous training.

IN 2015 FINNAIR joined the Climate Leadership Council, an initiative bringing together leading Finnish businesses to combat climate change and foster business eco-technologies. The airline is also included on the CDP’s (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) 2014 A List for its efforts to reduce emissions and slow climate change.

FLY FINNAIR HELSINKI AIRPORT

HAPPY LANDINGS Arriving and departing Helsinki Airport

PASSENGERS at Helsinki Airport can use the 30 automated border control gates. Fifteen of these are located in the departure hall. The Finnish Border Guard’s automated border control helps serve growing passenger volumes at Helsinki Airport.

EU, EEA, Japanese and Swiss nationals with biometric passports can take advantage of the automated border control gates.

Other foreign nationals, who are exempt from the visa ­requirement and hold a biometric passport, may also use the automated border control upon departure.

This service is available for ­Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean and U.S. citizens. The automated border control is monitored by a border guard ensuring secure border crossings.

Please note that passengers travelling with an infant, baggage trolley or wheelchair must use the manual border control lane.

AUTOMATED BORDER CONTROL Place your passport with the info page face down on the reader. Please wait while your passport is being read for biographical and biometric data. When the scan is complete, the gate will open. ヘルシンキ・ヴァンター空港シェンゲンエリアで は、入出国審査の際に自動化ゲートをご利用頂けま す。対象となるのはICパスポートをお持ちのお客様 です。

대한민국 전자여권을 소지한 승객께서는 유럽에서 한국으로 입국 시, 헬싱키 공항에서 자동출국심사 서비스를 이용 하실 수 있습니다.

① パスポートの顔写真ページを読み取ります。該当 ページを読み取り機の上に置いて下さい。個人情報 と生体認証データを読み取ります。

우선, 전자여권의 사진 페이지를 인식장치에 올려주시기를 바랍니다. 이 과정에서 여권정보가 시스템에 자동 인식됩니다.

② ゲートが開いたら中に入り、右を向いて下さい。 パスポートの顔写真と照合します。バックパック・ 帽子・眼鏡などは外して下さい。足跡マークの上に 立って画面を正面からまっすぐに見て下さい。 ③ 二番目のゲートが開いたら、入国審査官のカウン ターにお進み下さい。パスポートを確認した後、入 国または出国スタンプを押印致します。シェンゲン エリア居住許可証をお持ちの方は、入国審査官にご 提示下さい。

finnair.com/jp

첫 번째 게이트가 열리면 안으로 들어가 오른쪽에 위치한 카메라로 안면인증을 거치게 됩니다. 이후 마지막 게이트에서 출입국관리 직원의 출국확인도장을 받으시면 됩니다. 보다 간편하고 빠른 본 자동시스템의 많은 이용 바랍니다. 대한민국 전자여권은?

2008년 8월 25일 이후 발급된 여권으로 표지 하단부에 전자칩과 안테나가 내장 되어 있는 여권입니다.

finnair.com/kr

Enter through the gate and turn right. Please remove your backpack if you’re wearing one and stand on the footprints on the floor. Remove your glasses and hat. Stand still and look directly at the screen keeping your face visible. The camera will compare your facial image with the biometric feature scanned from your passport. Wait until the second gate opens.

The border check for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals is completed when the gate opens. Other foreign nationals must move towards the border guard, who will check your entry stamp and mark your passport with an exit stamp.

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FLY FINNAIR HELSINKI AIRPORT

WELCOME TO HELSINKI AIRPORT HOW TO TRANSFER Check your gate and departure time on the airport monitors. All Finnair and Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra), formerly Flybe Finland, departures are located in the same terminal.

If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, please contact the transfer service desk.

Most passengers transferring from non-EU countries to EU countries must go through security and passport control. Please note that liquids are restricted in carry-on baggage.

If your baggage has not been checked through to your final destination, collect it from the baggage claim area and go to check-in and security control.

Border control

34 35

Security control

SHOP

Border control

SHOP

SHOP

Bo con

2ND FLOOR

FINNAIR LOUNGE FINNAIR PREMIUM LOUNGE

38

86 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

31a-e 30

31x 31

36

FINNAIR TRANSFER SERVICE desks in Helsinki Airport T2 ­terminal are ready to help you with any inquiries related to your connection flights.

TRAIN CONNECTION The Ring Rail Line connects Helsinki Airport to downtown Helsinki. Due to ongoing consctruction, access to/from the terminal entrance is only by elevator at the ­moment. Escalators will be in ­working order later in 2016. Free shuttle buses still ­operate from terminals T1 and T2 to the ­Tietotie entrance of the Airport station. The route takes three to five minutes and the buses run at five minute intervals.

32a

TRANSFER SERVICE 3

37

BUS CONNECTION The Finnair City Bus to the Helsinki Railway Station leaves from Terminal 2 every 20 minutes, stopping also at Terminal 1.

Travel time is about 30 minutes.

Price: €6.30

32

LONG-HAUL AREA NON-SCHENGEN

AUTOMATED BORDER CHECKS are available to passengers with biometric passports. The service is available for ­Australian, Canadian, EEA, EU, Japanese, ­New ­Zealand, South Korean, Swiss, and U.S. citizens. See more ­information on page 85.

TRANSFER SERVICE

SHOP

33

2ND FLOOR

37a-d

GROUND FLOOR

CHECKING IN Checking in to your Finnair flight is easy. You can save time by checking in at a self-service stand at the airport, online 36 hours before departure or by text message.

FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS In case a flight is delayed or cancelled, Finnair will make every effort to keep you updated. Please make sure that you have provided Finnair with your email address and phone number.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES SHOP SHOPPING Receive special offers for airport services when you show your Finnair Plus card. You will recognise our partners by the Finnair Plus symbol. Helsinki Airport features more than 30 shops and boutiques and various restaurants and cafés.

WIRELESS INTERNET is available free of charge. An eService Bar is located across from gate 21.

CHILDREN Children’s playrooms offer videos, microwave ovens and baby care facilities.

NON-SMOKING Smoking at Helsinki Airport is prohibited outside of designated smoking rooms.

SHOP

FLY FINNAIR HELSINKI AIRPORT WALKING TIME GATE 24–30: 7 MIN

T2 29

28

LOST AND FOUND Restaurant & Deli Fly Inn

27

26 SHOP

SCHENGEN AREA

SHOP

SHOP

GATE AREA

Security check

24

25 TRANSFER SERVICE 2

SHOP

23 SHOP

FINNAIR LOUNGE

Security

order ntrol

CHECK-IN 240–270

P

SHOP

SHOP

FINNAIR check CHECK-IN/ SERVICE DESKS 201–232

22

GROCERY

21

INQUIRIES Lentäjäntie 1 (next to T2, street level) Open Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 and Sat 09:00–15:00 Tel 0600 41006 (1,97€/min + local network charge)

3RD FLOOR

PHARMACY TOURIST INFO

SH

OP

20

1ST FLOOR

SHOP

19 18 17 16

TRANSFER SERVICE 1

15

CHECK-IN 101–114

GROUND FLOOR

T1

14

Security check

BAGGAGE STORAGE

13 LOUNGE TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF! As a Finnair ­customer, you can buy access to the Finnair lounges in both the Schengen area and nonSchengen area for a reduced price when your flight d ­ eparts during off-peak hours. To get the discount, your flight must leave between 6 am–3 pm or 18:45–midnight (non-Schengen area); or ­between 10 am–3 pm or 7 pm–midnight (Schengen area). You can buy lounge access in advance via Manage Booking or by contacting Finnair’s customer service.

GATE AREA

2ND FLOOR

12

11

SHOP

1ST FLOOR JANUARY 2016

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FLY FINNAIR FLIGHTS WITHIN EUROPE KARTAT Great Circle Estimated FROM HELSINKI AMSTERDAM ALANYA/GAZIPASA ARRECIFE ATHENS BARCELONA BERGEN BERLIN BIARRITZ BILLUND BRUSSELS BUDAPEST CATANIA CHANIA COPENHAGEN DALAMAN DUBLIN DUBROVNIK DÜSSELDORF EDINBURGH EILAT EKATERINBURG FRANKFURT FUERTEVENTURA FUNCHAL GDANSK GENEVA GOTHENBURG HAMBURG HERAKLION INNSBRUCK KAZAN KOS KRAKOW LAS PALMAS LISBON LJUBLJANA LONDON MADRID MALAGA MALTA MANCHESTER MILAN MINSK MOSCOW MUNICH MYTILENE NAPLES NICE OSLO PALMA DE MALLORCA PAPHOS PARIS PISA PRAGUE PREVEZA PULA RHODES RIGA

Distances km

Great Circle Estimated Distances Flight km Times

Flight Times

1525 02:35 2722 03:45 4518 05:55 2490 03:40 2632 03:55 1112 03:30 1123 02:00 2581 03:45 1060 01:50 1651 02:40 1481 02:20 2636 03:45 2756 03:50 895 01:40 2639 03:40 2030 03:10 2027 03:00 1512 02:25 1717 02:40 3457 04:45 2098 03:05 1543 02:35 4578 06:05 4310 05:45 768 02:00 1994 03:00 785 01:25 1172 02:00 2777 03:55 1701 02:35 1521 02:30 2620 03:45 1186 02:00 4700 06:10 3369 04:50 1713 02:40 1863 03:10 2950 04:25 3357 04:35 2822 04:15 1817 03:00 1953 03:05 740 01:25 876 01:40 1577 02:30 1471 03:35 2283 03:25 2202 03:25 766 01:30 2777 04:00 2898 04:00 1900 03:05 2093 03:20 1322 02:10 2397 03:25 1865 02:55 2668 03:45 382 00:55

RIMINI ROME SALZBURG SAMARA SANTORINI SKIATHOS SPLIT STOCKHOLM ST. PETERSBURG TALLINN TARTU TEL AVIV TENERIFE NORTE TENERIFE SUR VARNA VENICE VERONA VIENNA VILNIUS VISBY WARSAW ZAKYNTHOS ZÜRICH

1993 03:00 2235 03:25 1592 02:30 1698 02:35 2660 03:40 2353 03:30 1956 02:55 400 01:00 301 01:00 101 00:30 245 00:50 3230 04:25 4691 06:10 4745 06:10 1911 02:55 1847 02:55 1903 02:55 1462 02:30 633 01:15 481 01:25 940 01:40 2526 03:55 1781 02:45

SCHEDULED DESTINATIONS LEISURE DESTINATIONS PARTNER-OPERATED CODE-SHARE OR MARKETING DESTINATIONS SEASONAL ROUTE EW SCHEDULED N SEASONAL ROUTE NEW SCHEDULED DESTINATION IN 2015 AND 2016

Atl Oc antic ean

TÄHÄN KARTTA

8 WINGS 2014 88BLUE BLUE WINGSDECEMBER JANUARY 2016

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS New

FROM HELSINKI IVALO JOENSUU JYVÄSKYLÄ KAJAANI MARIEHAMN KEMI/TORNIO KITTILÄ KOKKOLA/PIETARSAARI KUOPIO KUUSAMO OULU ROVANIEMI TAMPERE TURKU VAASA

quay

931 01:35 360 01:00 235 00:50 464 01:20 282 00:55 609 01:35 823 01:25 391 01:10 335 01:00 667 01:15 514 01:05 697 01:20 143 00:35 150 00:35 348 00:55

Bay of B isca ya

Arct ic

Ocea n

FLY FINNAIR IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Nor weg ian S ea

Nort

h Sea

on

on-D

tov-

Ros

Heraklion

Medit erranea n Sea DECEMBER 2014BLUE BLUE WINGS89 8 JANUARY 2016 WINGS

rctic

Arctic Ocean

FLY FINNAIR FLIGHTS INTERCONTINENTAL Circle Estimated KARTAT Great Distances Flight FROM HELSINKI

km

Times

BANGKOK 7912 09:45 BEIJING 6325 07:55 CHICAGO 7139 09:15 CHONGQING 6736 08:40 DELHI 5229 06:50 DUBAI 4537 05:55 FUKUOKA 8060 09:30 GOA via Sharjah 6739 10:15 GUANGZHOU 7693 09:30 HAVANNA 8718 12:05 HÔ CHI MINH CITY (Saigon) 8510 10:50 HONG KONG 7821 09:35 KRABI 8350 10:20 MIAMI 8342 11:10 NAGOYA 7780 09:40 NEW YORK 6626 08:45 OSAKA 7751 09:30 PHUKET 8312 10:05

PUERTO PLATA 8417 11:15 SEOUL 7050 08:40 SHANGHAI 7410 09:05 SINGAPORE 9272 11:30 SVALBARD 2015 03:10 TOKYO 7849 09:45 XIAN 6421 07:50

Atlantic Ocean

Havanna

FINNAIR PLUS members earn Plus points from travelling on any ­scheduled flight with a oneworld airline.

The oneworld alliance flies to more than 1,000 destinations.

Pacific Ocean

Ocea n Atlantic Ocean

8 BLUE WINGS DECEMBER 2014

Arctic Ocean

FLY FINNAIR IMPORTANT INFORMATION

an

Agadir

Taiwan

Pacific Ocean

Indian Ocean

n

DECEMBER 2014 BLUE WINGS 8

FLY FINNAIR FLEET

AIRBUS A350-900 (NEW IN 2015) Number 2 + 17 on order Seating capacity 297 Length 66.8 m Wingspan 64.75 m Cruising speed 903 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 13,000 m AIRBUS A340-300 Number 7 Seating capacity 266/263/257 Length 63.6 m Wingspan 60.3 m Cruising speed 870 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,500 m AIRBUS A330-300 Number 8 Seating capacity 289/263 Length 63.6 m Wingspan 60.3 m Cruising speed 870 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,600 m AIRBUS A321 (ER) Number 11 Seating capacity 136–209 Length 44.5 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m AIRBUS A320 Number 10 Seating capacity 110–165 Length 37.6 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m AIRBUS A319 Number 9 Seating capacity 105–138 Length 33.8 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m EMBRAER 190/170 Operated by Norra Number 12/2 Seating capacity 100/76 Length 36.2/29.9 m Wingspan 28.7/26 m Cruising speed 850 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,300 m

92 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

FLY FINNAIR FLEET A350

IT’S HERE! AIRBUS A350 XWB – A NEW SENSE OF FLYING The most significant way to reduce your carbon footprint from flying is to fly with modern aircraft.

UP TO FOLLOW THE STORY reduction in:

CO2 emissions

Share your A350 experience: Fuel burn

FEEL THE

XTRA SPACE 5.61 METRES WIDE CABIN

FUN FACT Ambient mood LED lighting ­creates 24 different s­ cenarios from a choice of more than 16 m ­ illion different colours. The lighting can be customised to fit the time of day, destination or season!

I HAD THE UNEXPECTED chance to fly the A350 from Helsinki to London on one of the familiarisation flights in ­November. I have been onboard a fair number of wide-body aircraft, but had never experienced anything like this. What first caught my attention were the lights – it was like entering a very cool lounge or club and the constantly changing colours and tones mesmerised me throughout the flight. I hardly noticed the takeoff from Helsinki or the landing in London, which says something as it is such a big plane.

Amanda Soila, Content Designer for Blue Wings

▶a350.finnair.com ▶on Twitter #A350Finnair ▶on Instagram @feelfinnair

FINNAIR’S ECO-SMART Airbus A350 XWB aircraft has taken to the skies. Book your flights and enjoy the future of travel!

SEE THE SCHEDULE a350.finnair.com

To share your Finnair A350 experience email: shelly.nyqvist@sanoma.com

JANUARY 2016

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FLY FINNAIR FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMME

JOIN NOW Big benefits for ­frequent flyers

FINNAIR PLUS PROGRAMME allows you to earn points when travelling with Finnair or a ­oneworld airline and from ­services provided by many Finnair Plus partners.

As a Finnair Plus member you can also benefit from many valuable offers and benefits including: · A head start on special flight sales · Exclusive members prices on offers · Earn and use points on Finnair, oneworld and partner airline flights · Earn and use points on numerous worldwide partner services EARN POINTS when flying ­Finnair scheduled and leisure flights. Points can also be earned on oneworld scheduled flights.

As a member you also receive points when purchasing products and services from any one of our Finnair Plus partners.

USE POINTS to purchase Finnair award flights, pay for ­additional baggage and upgrade your ­Finnair flight from Economy to Business Class. You can also use your points for oneworld flights.

Points are valid currency in the Finnair PlusShop online and you can use them to pay for services and products from Finnair Plus partners.

Read more about our partners on page 96.

94 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

DID YOU KNOW? JOIN FOR FREE by filling in the Finnair Plus form attached to this magazine or online at finnair.com/plus

GOOD TO KNOW! As a Finnair Plus member you can use your Finnair Plus points to purchase award flights. ­Immediate family and ­persons in the same household may also purchase award flights using your points.

There are two ways to purchase award flights: by using points only, or by using a combination of money and points.

With a Finnair Classic award, you pay a fixed amount of points depending on the destination and pay necessary taxes with money.

With an Any Seat reservation, you may use a combination of money and Finnair Plus points to purchase your flight tickets. When booking, use the slider to decide how many points you would like to use. finnair.com/plus

FLY FINNAIR FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMME

KIDS

FINNAIR PLUS MEMBERSHIP

These are some of the benefits you receive as a member. For more information go to finnair.com/plus.

FINNAIR PLUS TIER BENEFITS

BASIC Up to 40,000 tier points

SILVER 40,000 – 90,000 tier points or 24 scheduled flights

GOLD 90,000 – 150,000 tier points or 54 scheduled flights

PLATINUM 150,000 tier points or 92 scheduled flights

• F lights awards •A dditional baggage charges with points*

• One extra piece of baggage free of charge*

• Special baggage free of charge *

• Special baggage free of charge*

• F innair lounge access*

•W aiting list priority based on tier

•P riority Lane*

•P artner service purchases with points

• 1 0% discount on ­normally priced tax-free purchases outside of the EU*

• T ravel class upgrades* • Finnair and oneworld Business Class and Frequent Flyer lounge access + 1 guest

• T ravel class upgrades* •D iscounted travel upgrades for family members*

• 1 0% points bonus*

•P riority Lane* • 1 5% points bonus* • 1 0% discount on normally priced tax-free purchases outside of the EU*

• Finnair and oneworld Business and First Class and Frequent Flyer lounge access + 1 guest •N o expiration on award points during tracking period • 1 0% discount on normally priced taxfree purchases outside of the EU*

* Finnair flights (AY operated and AY marketed)

Finnair Plus oneworld Basic --Silver Ruby Gold Sapphire Platinum Emerald

Kids get points, too!

Children aged 2–17 can join the Finnair Plus Junior programme.

The points earned can be spent on flight awards and exciting product prizes.

•P riority Lane*

• 2 5% points bonus*

EQUIVALENT ONEWORLD TIERS

JUNIOR

Combine your Finnair Plus membership card with a credit card and you can earn Finnair Plus points on all your purchases. Read more: finnair.com/plus

DID YOU KNOW? STAY CONNECTED ON THE NEW A350 AIRCRAFT! As a Finnair Plus member, you can purchase an award voucher with your Finnair Plus points for the Nordic Sky Wi-Fi connection on all Finnair A350 flights. The award voucher entitles you to use the full internet connection onboard. Award vouchers can be purchased for one hour or for the entire flight. Nordic Sky Wi-Fi is complimentary for Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum members. finnair.fi/pluspartners

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FLY FINNAIR PARTNER BENEFITS THIS MONTH

MORE THAN 200 PARTNERS For your benefit As a member of our Frequent Flyer ­programme you can earn and use points when purchasing ­services and products from our world-class partners around the globe.

CHOOSE AVIS AND EXPLORE FINLAND EARN TRIPLE POINTS! Avis car hire offers Finnair Plus members the chance to earn ‘triple points’ on all rentals taking place across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia until March 15. You also receive an a­ dditional discount of 10 per cent for any rentals taking place in Finland! Want to see the Northern Lights this winter? Choose Avis and enjoy a truly unforgettable experience in Finnish Lapland. Note: rentals must be for at least two days.

Not yet a member?

Find out how to join on the previous page.

avis.fi/finnairplus

ENTERTAINING REWARDS WITH POINTS Use your Finnair Plus points to get the ultimate entertainment rewards of your choice – for you, your ­family or your friends!

Party Coins Digital E­ ntertainment offers a wide selection of digital instant download rewards, including gift cards for the top app stores and entertainment services, the most popular games for PC/Mac, and vouchers for the top online shopping sites. You will receive all rewards instantly by email. finnair.partycoins.me

96 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

· Airlines · Travel · Credit card · Insurance · Restaurants · Shopping · Wellness · Golf · Entertainment · Charity · Leisure time For complete listings and more information: finnair.com/ pluspartners

FLY FINNAIR PLUSSHOP OFFERS THIS MONTH

SHOP ONLINE wherever you are!

The Finnair PlusShop stocks a wide selection of brand products, including Finnish design items, and delivers around the world. To order, simply login using your frequent flyer number, place your order and pay with Finnair Plus points, money, or a combination of both. Shop for the always affordable 1,000 Point Special Offers and your Plus points can be worth hundreds of euros! As a Finnair Plus member, you can choose a new offer every time you have 1,000 Plus points.

All this and more from:

finnairplusshop.com

TRAVEL LIGHT WITH STYLE! Samsonite X’Blade luggage deal for Finnair Plus members only, 3 size options SAMSONITE X’BLADE SPINNER EXPANDABLE, 55 CM CABIN BAG €189.00 Member offer €129 + 1,000p SAMSONITE X’BLADE SPINNER EXPANDABLE, 64 CM LUGGAGE €199.00 Member offer €139 + 1,000p SAMSONITE X’BLADE SPINNER, 78 CM LUGGAGE €255.00 Member offer €169 + 1,000p

MARIMEKKO FOR FINNAIR MINI UNIKKO APRON & OIVA MUG, 4PCS €107.10 Member offer €69 + 1,000p

BOSE® QUIET COMFORT® 25 ­ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING® HEADPHONES Available in black and white, €349.95 Member offer €279 + 1,000p

HAGLÖFS LAVA 90 BAG Several colour options, €109.00 Member offer €75 + 1,000p

SUUNTO AMBIT3 SPORT ­ SAPPHIRE (HR) GPS WATCH €500.00 Member offer €399 + 1,000p

Compatible with Apple & Android devices

More Marimekko for Finnair ­products are available from the Finnair PlusShop!

Special offers for Plus members only!

TOMTOM GO 510 WORLD ­NAVIGATOR €199.00 Member offer €169 + 1,000p

JANUARY 2016

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97

FINLAND IN FIGURES

DID YOU KNOW? Mass Media: Forty-four per cent of Finnish households watch television on computers.

FINLAND

ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

IN FIGURES

Employed persons by industry, 3rd quarter 2015 (per cent of total)

AREA • 390,920 sq. kil­o­me­tres, of ­which 9% is fresh water; land area is 303, 909 ­sq. kil­o­me­tres. There are 188,000 lakes. 6% of the ­land is ­under cul­ti­va­tion. Fo­rests (main­ly ­pine and ­spruce) cov­er 68% of the country.

GOVERNMENT • Sove­reign par­lia­men­tary re­pub­lic ­since 1917.

• The pres­i­dent is elect­ed eve­r y six years. The current president of Finland, Sauli Niinistö took office in March 2012. The 200 mem­bers of Par­lia­ment are elect­ed for fouryear terms.

• Finland has been a member of the European Union since January 1995.

ECONOMY • GDP 2014: 205 billion euros, the annual change in volume -0.4% nnual inflation rate as of •A October 2015: -0.3% • Currency: Euro

Construction and energy 8%

Miscellaneous services

14%

34%

Manufacturing

14% 4% Agriculture

10%

15%

Financial and business servces

Trade and hotel

Transport and communications

Gross domestic product per capita 2014* (EUR)

47%

Other manufactured goods

23%

Forest products

15%

Food prod. and textiles

15%

Nominal

Adjusted for Purchasing Power Standard

73.500 46.200 44.400 37.600 35.400 34.900 32.200 27.400

49.000 34.300 34.100 30.200 34.000 30.000 29.400 27.400

Foreign trade 2014 exports by products by activity: 55.829 MEUR (per cent of total) Chemical industry products

23%

Forest industry products

20%

Other industries

18%

Metals and metal products

14%

Machinery and equipment

13%

Electronics

12%

*preliminary

MONTHLY TEMPERATURES IN HELSINKI 2014

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Mean˚C -5.9 0.2 2.1 5.9 10.6 13.5 20.1 17.9 13.0 6.7 3.2 0.1 Max˚C 5.6 4.7 10.9 19.9 26.3 24.4 29.6 28.4 20.3 14.7 10.3 5.5 Min˚C -18.2 -7.6 -8.3 -4.5 -1.2 3.5 11.1 9.6 0.4 -3.8 -2.4 -15.7

More information: finland.fi, goodnewsfromfinland.com, findicator.fi

98 BLUE WINGS JANUARY 2016

Metal and engineering products

EXPORTS BY PRODUCTS

GDP

Norway Denmark Sweden Finland Germany UK France EU27

Manufacturing

Source: Statistics Finland

POPULATION • 5.5 mil­lion • Life ex­pec­tan­c y: men 78.2 and women 83.9 years • Av­er­age house­hold ­size: 2.1 persons • L anguages: 89% ­speak Finn­ish; 5.3% Swedish; 1.3% Russian • Religion: 74% Lu­ther­an; 1% Orthodox; 24% census register or unknown • 81% of the pop­u­la­tion aged 25 to 64 ­have com­plet­ed upper secondary or tertiary ed­u­ca­tion and 37% ­have uni­ver­sity or other tertiary qualifications.

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