Blue Wings Mobile issue September 2018

Mobile issue 07 / 2018

BLUE WINGS DON’T BE SHY – HELP YOURSELF TO THIS ISSUE AND SHARE IT WITH A LOVED ONE!

MO BIL E DRE A M S

China rolls into the e-car market

W H EE L S & VI E WS

Pedalling along Japan’s sea route

NEXT- GE N BA LT I C

Estonia’s artists lead the digital way

POWER OF

PURE FOOD

T H E A L L- N E W P R I N C E S S F 5 5 E X P E R I E N C E T H E E X C E P T I O N A L®

Visit us at the Cannes Yachting Festival, 11th – 16th September 2018

PRINCESS FINLAND +358 500 667754 info@princess.fi

FIND OUT MORE AT PRINCESSYACHTS.COM

Editorial Welcome onboard

bluewings.finnair.com

FO KUS M E D I A F I N L A N D

ARJA SU OMIN EN

SVP, communications and corporate responsibility

Managing editor Amanda Soila Art director Aino Ahtiainen Web editor Shelly Nyqvist Visual designers Sesilja Lindell, Iris Mark Editorial assistant Aino Vähälä English editing Silja Kudel Reprographics Faktor Oy Cover Virpi Mikkonen by Riikka Kantinkoski Behind this issue Daniel Allen, Mark Andrews, Tim Bird, Fabian Björk, Carina Chela, Simon Fry, Ulrica Haglund, Riikka Kantinkoski, Silja Kudel, Ville Lehvonen, Robert Lönnqvist, Andrew Marshall, Katja Pantzar, Steve John Powell, Annika Rantala, Marko Rantanen, Jasmin Rauha, Liisa Valonen, and Anette Varjonen Submissions and feedback bluewings@fokusmedia.fi Blue Wings online bluewings.finnair.com issuu.com/finnair_bluewings Editorial Offices Hämeentie 153 C, 00560 Helsinki, Finland, tel. +358 40 630 8253 firstname.lastname@fokusmedia.fi Advertising Sales Jaana Lindvall-Harki tel. +358 40 582 1416 jaana.lindvall-harki@fokusmedia.fi Publisher Fokus Media Finland Printed by Punamusta, Joensuu, Finland 2018 Paper UPM Valor 61g, Cover paper Stora Enso LumiArt 200g ISSN-0358-7703

Editor-in-Chief Arja Suominen arja.suominen@finnair.com Finnair Head Office Tietotie 9 A, Helsinki Airport, 1053 Finnair, Finland, tel. +358 (0)9 818 81, Postal address: P. O. Box 15, 01053 Finnair, Finland Customer feedback finnair.com/feedback or by mail: Customer Relations, SL/403, FI-01053 Finnair finnair.com, finnair.fi, finnairgroup.com

Little things matter AT F I N NAI R , we started our environmental activities as early as the 1980s with a clear guiding vision.

Since then, we have accomplished a lot. Last year a global agreement on cutting aviation emissions was reached and ­Finnair played an active role in CORSIA, the ­Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, which has the goal of being carbon neutral as of 2020.

Our aim is to cut emissions even further.

At ­Finnair, we do this by investing in a modern and more fuel-efficient fleet, we fly the shortest route whenever possible, we use energy efficient technology in our flight operations, and we do our best to replace heavier materials with lighter ones.

We also recently surveyed our customers on ­different ways to reduce or compensate aviation emissions.

Based on the results, we have decided to introduce a new service in early 2019, which will offer passengers an easy way to support measures that directly impact the reduction of carbon emissions. Read more on page 92.

We hope you’ll find the new service attractive and easy to use.

We hope you’ll find our new service useful.

Arja Suominen

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 3

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* If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required.

Contents September

Virpi Mikkonen and her healthy dream foods (p. 24)

Young Chinese imagine a new Beijing (p. 34).

Britain’s most famous seaside attraction: Brighton Pier (p. 29)

Verdant green landscape of Cuba’s heartland (p. 46)

Dream

Keep your curiosity alive

11

G LO B A L PU L S E

It’s honey month

14

U P C LOS E

Suzhou gardens

17

W I S E C RA F T

High fashion

1 9 PO R T U G A L

Queen of healthy treats

29 EN G L A N D

Then and now 42 PR OFI L E

Author Jussi Valtonen 45 SMAR T STUFF

September happenings

24 PASS I O N PR OJ EC T

3 4 B E I JI NG

Groovy products

22 AG EN DA

Think beyond the box

Cascais calling

21 B ER L I N

Explore

Sultry seaside towns

Gorgeous gear 46 CUB A

Slow travel through the heartland

53 CONVE R SATI ON

WeChat with Eeva Eronen

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 5

Contents September

Fly Create

Celebrate accomplishments

The world of Finnair

82 FI NNAI R SE RVI CE S 83 84 86

5 6 E STO NIA

Next-generation creatives 6 2 H IROS H I M A

Japan’s sea bike route 6 8 INV E STI G AT I O N

China’s electric car boom 73 S H OWROO M

Design steam at Lonna sauna 75 Q &A

What’s new Fly the short northern route FI NNAI R PLUS Frequent flyer rewards SHOPPI NG Wish list from the Finnair Shop MY FI NNAI R Passenger stories SKY FOOD Culinary options in the air W E L L NE SS Comfortable flying E NTE R TAI NME NT Stay connected STAFF TI PS Mushroom picking HOL I DAY SAMPL E R Turkey beach life SUSTAI NAB I L I TY Finnair study on emissions FL E E T Modern fleet at your service MAPS Helsinki Airport and destination check-list FI NL AND FACTS Fascinating figures

78 FI NNAI R NE WS

87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 98

Meet the Swedish Nomad

The cycle-through window at the Yard Café in Hiroshima (p. 62)

Arabian horses are a prized breed in Dubai (p. 78).

Swedish Nomad close to nature in Germany (p. 75)

6 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Estonia’s new media artist Taavi Varm (p. 56)

www.barbour.com

PHOTO RIIKKA KANTINKOSKI

Dream

Keep your curiosity alive

It’s all about plants Cookbook creator Virpi Mikkonen leads the way for clean eating (p. 24) SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 9

TÄYSIN UUSI BMW X4.

BRING IT ON.

Täysin uuden BMW X4:n progressiivinen muotoilu ja coupémaiset linjat paljastavat heti ensisilmäyksellä, että se janoaa toimintaa. Ensiluokkaisen ajodynamiikan, innovatiivisen kevytrakenteen, matalan painopisteen ja entistä paremman suorituskyvyn ansiosta sinun ja määränpäidesi väliin mahtuu vain yksi asia: puhdas ajamisen ilo.

Lue lisää osoitteessa BMW.fi. Tervetuloa koeajamaan.

BMW X4 alkaen 70.128,91 €. Autoveroton hinta 51.050 €, arvioitu autovero 18.478,91 € uuden WLTP-päästömittaustavan mukaisella CO2-päästöllä 178 g/km, WLTP-kulutus EU-yhd. 6,8 l/100 km, toimituskulut 600 €. Vapaa autoetu 1.175 €/kk, käyttöetu 1.025 €/kk. (BMW X4 xDrive 20d A Business). Ajotietokoneen kieli suomi.

Kuvan auto erikoisvarustein.

Global pulse COMPILED BY KATJA PANTZAR

Inspiration and ideas from across the network

Great escapes

NEW HOTEL AT JFK

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, ISTOCK

The spectacular neo-futurist TWA Flight centre at JFK Airport designed by architect Eero Saarinen in the 1960s was in danger of being totally shuttered for years. Now it’s slated to open in spring 2019 as a first-class hotel with more than 500 ultra-quiet rooms boasting views of JFK’s runways. In-room details include vintage rotary phones retrofitted with modern convenience − guests can dial free international and local calls while lounging about in authentic Saarinen Womb chairs.

Must-see

SEATTLE’S NEW NORDIC MUSEUM

JAVA BIO-HACK

CHAGA LATTE, ANYONE? mushroom-infused coffees is cropping up around the world in shops, cafés, and restaurants that focus on healthy goodness. One of the leading sources is Four Sigmatic, a US-based ­company with a Finnish founder, which is on a mission to spread the word about the health benefits of mushrooms. Known for their immunity-boosting and antioxidant-rich properties, mushrooms ­contain a rich source of vitamins and minerals like selenium, ­potassium, copper, and calcium. Adding a healthy dose of fungus to coffee – they come in handy single-serve sachets−is a way “to enhance focus, creativity, concentration, and brain health,” according to Four Sigmatic.

A RA N G E O F

Gallery goers are flocking to the newly opened 38 million euro Nordic Museum−a huge leap from the institute’s previous incarnation that was housed inside a decommissioned red brick schoolhouse. Located in Ballard, a traditional Nordic enclave in Seattle, the new museum brings to life art and culture that highlights the legacy of immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. Architectural firm Mithun, in collaboration with Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa. According to the museum, new the design “is organised around a linear ‘fjord’ that weaves together stories of the Nordic region and of the Nordic-American experience.”

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 11

Global pulse Inspiration and from across the network

COMPILED BY KATJA PANTZAR

LIQUID GOLD

As September is honey month, what better than a sample of Manuka honey from New ­Zealand? Though not cheap, it’s a pure natural sweetener that’s also prized for its healing properties; studies indicate that Manuka honey has up to nine times the germ-killing power of regular honey. So what better than a good-foryou sweetener that also ­doubles as an owie fixer? CVS pharmacies in the US sell ­Manduka Honey adhesive pads and band-aids.

Greetings from Finland!

@sagaform

Suomi kulho

Suomi kynttilälyhty

Vie täydellinen tuliainen kotimaastasi! Pieni ja monikäyttöinen Suomi-neidon muotoinen tarjoilukulho tyylikkäässä lahjalaatikossa.

Irrallisessa pohjapaperissa info-paketti Suomesta.

Materiaali: Kivitavaraa Mitat: 25 x 190 x 100 mm

Lämminhenkistä tunnelmaa kesäiltoihin.

Trendikäs Skandinaavinen design. Pakkauksessa mukana suomalaisen Havin laadukas kynttilä.

Materiaali: Puu / lasi Mitat: Ø 130 mm H 215 mm

Katso lähin jälleenmyyjä www.sagaform.fi | Maahantuoja Oy Trexet Finland Ab | www.newwave.fi

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, ISTOCK

PURE SWEETNESS

Slab City

OFF THE GRID AIRBNB

Creative tools

FOR DIGITAL NOMADS Wallpaper* magazine called Scriba “one of 2018’s best technology toys,” but this writing utensil promises to be much more than just a fun gadget.

Scriba, a next-generation digital stylus, is the brainchild of award-winning Dublin-based architect David Craig. Designed around the user and billed as the world’s most innovative digital stylus, it features tactile feedback and is rechargeable for more than 200 hours of continuous use. Currently supported by iOS and Android, additional compatibility is under development for Microsoft Surface Platforms. So users can literally sketch out their dreams.

A stretch of the North California desert contains the last piece of land in America where it’s free and legal to park a trailer, according to Slab City: Dispatches from the Last Free Place by architect Charlie Hailey with photographs by Donovan Wylie, which publishes in October with MIT Press. This has become the place for those who want to stay off the grid, a makeshift community of artists, retirees, the poor, snowbirds, anarchists, and grifters.

Though the residents are not photographed in the book, the images of the makeshift homes provide a portrait of what living in such a place is like, especially in light of Slab City’s newest incarnation – an Airbnb destination for those looking for a truly authentic experience.

Up close Off the beaten path

TEXT AND PHOTOS ULRICA HAGLUND

FI NNAI R FL I E S TO

Nanjing (NKG) three times a week and to Shanghai (PVG) daily.

Suzhou is a 90-minute train ride from both destinations.

SERENITY IN THE CITY SU ZH O U IN J IANG S U PR OV I N C E is a pilgrimage site for lovers of gardens, especially the sublime Chinese kind. The city has more than 50 classical gardens, nine of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The oldest date back to the eleventh century, but the peak era for Chinese horticulture was the eighteenth century. Classical Chinese gardens recreate natural landscapes in miniature, often designed around the four elements: plants stand for life, water for wealth and wisdom, rocks for energy, and buildings for home and family.

Highlights of downtown Suzhou include a lush sanctuary from the Ming era, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, where travellers and locals alike can escape the modern world and enjoy the exquisite skill of ancient gardeners.

In the cool shade of blossoming trees, visitors can let body and mind rest and rejoice in

14 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

peace and quiet by the lotus ponds.

The first owner of the Humble Administrator’s Garden was an official named Wang Xianchen, who had the garden built in 1509.

The “humbleness” refers to his respect for wisdom and education, which is visible in many details. Each plant symbolises wisdom in some way: For example, the hollow bamboo represents an empty mind that needs to be educated.

A good time to visit is early morning, when you can find a secluded spot to take in the splendour of the pavilions, rock gardens, and lakes. With any luck, you’ll spot 85-year-old Mao Ye Yong, who spends hours in the garden every day with his radio and tea thermos.

He claims the garden is to be thanked for his long life and vigour – along with his daily routine of a hearty breakfast and a five-course lunch. 

#GenerationGo

Stores | Copenhagen | Stockholm | Gothenburg | Helsinki | Oslo Shop online or find your closest Samsonite store at www.samsonite.com

NATURE IS WAITING FOR YOU

As you’re reading this, there is a glade in a forest ready for you. A winding trail expecting you.

At Fjällräven we’ve been walking with nature for over 50 years. That’s how we create timeless, durable equipment that makes any outdoor experience great.

And that’s why we use 100% traceable down to keep you warm, pfc-free impregnation to keep you dry and recycled wool to keep you comfortable. Nature is waiting for you. What are you waiting for?

www.fjallraven.fi

TEXT CARINA CHELA PHOTO JASMIN RAUHA

Wise craft Local talents to watch

Anni Salonen is passionate about experimenting with fabrics and her aesthetics celebrate a new urban European culture.

Sew in love with fabrics S H E D RE SS E S in clothes from secondhand shops, enjoys reusing fabric for her own designs, and almost fainted on stage when the international panel gave her the Näytös18 Award — one of ­Finland’s most anticipated fashion events — for her debut collection. Anni Salonen’s designs are a playful mixture of New Age traveller subcultures, ­colours, and shapes from traditional Romani clothing, all pieced together with an urbane modern twist.

Salonen is c­ urrently on the global radar of creative directors and ­talent seekers.

The key to Salonen’s design process is spontaneity and her “it’s enough if I like it” work philosophy. “I don’t draw or plan much. I work very intuitively. It suits my creative process and the way I love to experiment with materials and fabrics,” explains Salonen, who is a ­graduate from Finland’s prestigious Aalto University. Her wonderfully original ­fabrics utilise a whole raft of techniques from layered cloqué printing — that gives the fabric a quilted look — to machine knitting and digital printing. 

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 17

gigantti.fi

KÄÄNNÄ KATSE LUOVUUTEEN! Zenbook S on hienostunut ja kevyt, sen loppuun asti hiottu design takaa suorituskyvyn ja pitkän akunkeston.

ASUS nyt saatavilla Gigantista!

1,3 CM OHUT

ZENBOOK S ASUX391ET038T

Coordinates PHOTO VILLE LEHVONEN

A place to be

N 38° 41’27.8” W 9° 25’15.2” LOCAT ION

Cascais, Portugal

JUST A 45- MI NUTE train ride west of Lisbon lies the idyllic coastal town of Cascais. Located on the southern outskirts of old town is the Santa Marta Lighthouse, museum, and 17th-century fort. The recently restored fort can be accessed through the museum and offers up a stunning view of the Bay of Cascais. At low tide, locals head to Praia de Santa Marta for a refreshing swim under the bridge.

− Ville Lehvonen, Finnish photographer and designer from the archipelago of North Karelia

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 19

Culture swap Destination inspiration

COMPILED BY LAURA IISALO

Best of Berlin Always on trend, the creative community of Berlin combines clever concepts with easy-on-the-eye design.

FI NNAI R FLIES TO

2.

Berlin (TXL) four times a day.

1.

3.

5.

4.

6.

1 — LOST & F O U N D The Lost In travel guide uncovers Berlin’s best-kept secrets. €10 lostin.com 2 — I NKE D CAR E ­Vegan-friendly Tattoo Salbe is an all-natural skin saver. €19.90 tattoo-salbe.com 3 — SCE NT OF THE CI TY Unisex Bogota Berlin perfume leaves a lingering big-city scent. From €35 frau-tonis-parfum.com 4 — TR E ND WATCH I Like Paper’s watches are hand-made from Tyvek, a durable paper-like m ­ aterial. €17.95 i-like-paper.com 5 — PACK I T Spacious Albert ­rucksack holds everything needed for a day in the city. €134.90 mulinu.com 6 — SOUND OFF The mobile B ­ erlin Boombox speaker makes a showy picnic companion. €69 berlinboombox.com

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 21

Agenda Global calendar for curious minds

COMPILED BY SIMON FRY

Keep on moving As the world keeps turning, autumn brings events for movers and shakers.

1

2 3

Continental shift

Amazing rays

Jump to it

Light fantastic

MOBILITY WEEK

SOLAR CHALLENGE

PARKOUR 101

ILLUMINATIONS

EU RO P E Europeans are encouraged to mix their transportation modes (as they do their food and fashion) during European Mobility Week, with “multimodality” being 2018’s theme. Many cities and towns will also compete in the Social Biking Challenge.

B ELG I U M

mobilityweek.eu

S EPT EM B ER 21 – 23

B OSTON Learn parkour basics such as vaulting, jumping, rolling, landing, and sticking across a series of Boston Metro locations. Clinics accommodate beginners and experienced athletes from ages 4 to 55 looking to up their game.

Expect no boundaries; a 61-year-old woman completed a wall-flip!

BERLIN

SEP T 1 6 –2 2

The iLumen Solar Challenge, the world’s only 24-hour endurance race for solar-powered cars will see some 20 teams from 13 countries compete on a 4km former Formula One track.

Distance travelled depends on the weather. Free entrance all weekend.

europeansolarchallenge.eu

SE PTE MB E R 9

OCTOB E R 5–14

projectfreerun.com

festival-of-lights.de

22 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

The Berlin Festival of Lights sees the German capital transformed into a stunning nocturnal display. Visitors can take in the sights via bicycle taxi, stretch limo, charabanc, horse and carriage, and bus & ship combination, while a static balloon brings an elevated view. Pre-festival attractions start Sept 29.

PHOTOS ISTOCK, MATTHIAS WILHELM, MV PHOTOS

4

# W A T C H B E Y O N D

BR 03-92 DIVER BLUE

www.bellross.com

Keskuskatu 5 - 00100 Helsinki - Finland +358 20 7000 605

Virpi Mikkonen at the gate of her Helsinki allotment garden

24 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Passion project

Wholesome goodness Known for her Instafamous blueberry dream cake, cookbook creator Virpi Mikkonen leads the way with gorgeous recipes that are gluten-, milk-, and sugar-free.

TEXT KATJA PANTZAR PHOTOS RIIKKA KANTINKOSKI

T

hough it’s a well-worn cliché, it’s an apt one: Sometimes life serves up lemons, but in the right hands, that can provide an opportunity to create a unique brand of lemonade.

For Finnish journalist and cookbook creator, Virpi Mikkonen, who calls herself a “queen of healthy treats,” her wellness journey grew out of a serious health challenge (her lemons, if you will) about ten years ago.

“I had all these stomach and skin problems and nothing really seemed to help,” says Mikkonen, self-described at the time as a party girl with a serious sweet tooth for candy.

“So I started looking at my diet, and decided to gradually eliminate dairy, gluten, white sugar, and processed foods. When I did that the change was amazing – my energy levels, and my physical and mental wellbeing improved,” she says. “Of course I wanted to share my recipes and what I had learned with others.”

WELLNESS PIONEER In 2009, she started her first wellness blog, which quickly became popular in Finland.

“I received a lot of positive feedback from people who had had some of the same experiences,” she says.

When Mikkonen started out, people in Finland weren’t talking much about raw food, sugar-, milk-, and gluten-free options. “At that time, the idea in Finland was that rye bread and milk were part of a healthy diet and that was a given,” she explains. >

Nature’s bounty provides the ingredients for Mikkonen’s creations.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 25

Sitting in the yard of her picture perfect Helsinki cottage allotment garden, where she grows many of the natural ingredients that she uses in her recipes, she explains how the impetus to become a health coach and entrepreneur came about. Following her maternity leave from one of Finland’s leading women’s magazines as a journalist, she decided to take the leap and become an entrepreneur.

She founded her company Vanelja in 2015 and since then has worked as a recipe designer and food photographer and published four cookbooks in Finnish, two of which have also been published in the US and internationally.

She is a self-taught photographer and the splendid pictures of her creations on Instagram draw a 160,000 following to her account @vanelja.

HEALTHY DREAM FOODS Originally published in Finnish as Kiitos, Hyvää, her book came out in English in the US with Weldon Owen in 2015 under the title It’s a Pleasure: Sweet Treats Without Gluten, Dairy, and Refined Sugar.

Venerable Vogue raved about it: “Mikkonen shares her secret concoctions for some incredibly delectable pastries, as well as confections like sea salt toffee candies and peanut toffee chocolates. But the standout recipes are those for Mikkonen’s rich but not too indulgent cakes.”

In 2017 Mikkonen’s blueberry dream cake became Instafamous when it racked up 12,000 likes overnight and went viral. It also went on to become one of Instagram’s most shared raw cakes.

Why is the cake so popular? Mikkonen replies: “It combines comforting notes of a traditional blueberry pie with wholesome and nutritious ingredients in a fresh and tasty way.” 

VI R PI MI KKONE N W HAT I D O

“Create plant-based recipes for food that’s healthy and gluten-, milk-, and sugar-free.”

FOOD PHI LOSOPHY

“I’m not 100 per cent vegan and I don’t believe in any food absolutes.

The most important thing is to prepare tasty food that’s quick and easy to make from good pure raw ingredients.”

TOP I NG R E D I E NTS

“Oats – gluten-free naturally – fresh dates, domestic honey or maple syrup, and almond flour, all of which are widely available at most local grocers around the world these days.”

26 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

As for her next culinary goal, Mikkonen wants to create healthy candy made from natural ingredients.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 27

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Mukavia esimerkkejä tavastamme huolehtia sinusta.

Hae korttia! Nyt 3 kk 0 € (arvo 180 €). americanexpress.fi/platinumcard Tarjous voimassa 31.12.2018 asti.

Inside track England

Going coastal With a combination of nostalgic elements and modern twists, the great English seaside town is still going strong.

TEXT ANDREW MARSHALL

Seafood haven Much of Whitby’s appeal stems not only from its rich seafaring history and atmospheric setting, but from its twin personality of working fishing port and traditional seaside resort.

The imposing ruins of the 13th-century abbey loom over the town’s skyline where narrow cobbled lanes and red-bricked houses spill down the slopes of the headland to a natural harbour below.

Brightly-painted fishing boats line the quayside where salty characters load off their catch of haddock, monkfish, skate, and crab destined for the town’s numerous fish-andchip shops.

Brighton rock This quintessential mid-18th century seaside town that evokes images of Mods and Rockers, a lively gay scene, and Brighton Beach, has become a hipster destination of choice, with its cuttingedge bars, slick boutique hotels, and bohemian vibe. The Grade-II listed Brighton Pier is still the place to go for some old-fashioned seaside fun on its vintage fairground rides. Set back from the famous pebbly beach, backed by amusement arcades and Regency-era buildings, are The Lanes, once a fishing village and now a labyrinth of classy bistros, designer boutiques, and quirky independent shops. >

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 29

3

SEASIDE TREATS

Art by the sea

The fortunes of Margate, a seaside holiday town on England’s southeast coast, have ebbed and flowed since JMW Turner produced seascapes here in the 19th century – and the Turner Contemporary gallery highlights the town’s links with the famous artist. Other drawcards include sandy beaches, the 27-mile Viking Coastal Trail, Dreamland amusement park, Hornby Visitor Centre (featuring model railways and cars), the mysterious Shell Grotto (underground passages decorated with seashells), and the Tom Thumb Theatre, thought to be the world’s smallest working theatre. 

FISH & CHIPS Battered cod and thick-cut potato chips – deep fried, salted, and sprinkled with vinegar – is an iconic English dish dating back to the 1860s. The Magpie Café in the old whaling port of Whitby is a top choice to enjoy some of the best along England’s east coast.

CORNISH PASTIES The family-run Chough Bakery by the quayside in Padstow near St Ives, produces traditional and award-winning pasties filled with locally-sourced beef, potato, onion, and swede plus an extra dollop of “Cornishness” in the form of some clotted cream.

COCKLES AND MUSSELS

FINNAIR FL IE S TO

London (LHR) five times a day.

30 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Manning’s Seafood Stall in Margate takes the seafood snacking tradition to new heights – serving coastal mainstays such as cockles and mussels, plus plump oysters with lemon and tabasco served with cold glasses of Prosecco.

PHOTOS IAN WOOL, VISIT KENT, ANDREW MARSHALL, CATHY YEULET, PAUL COWEN

Turner prize

You only have to stroll along the rippled sands of St Ives’ spectacular Porthmeor Beach on a sunny day, with the everchanging light bouncing off the Atlantic surf, to realise why this once busy pilchardfishing village has become the hub of Cornwall’s art scene – in particular the Tate St Ives gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. In the heart of town, a network of cobbled lanes are crammed with art studios, surf shops, brasseries, and bakeries selling hearty Cornish pasties.

Maahantuoja Oy Trexet Finland Ab www.newwave.fi A New Wave Group Company

PHOTO DANIEL ALLEN

Explore

Think beyond the box

Back to Beijing We visit the Chinese capital to see what has changed in 30 years (p. 34) SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 33

Field Trip Beijing

GREAT LEAP! 34 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Finnair’s first flight to Beijing was three decades ago. Since then the city has undergone sweeping changes.

TEXT AND PHOTOS DANIEL ALLEN

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 35

FINNAIR F L I ES TO Beijing (PEK)

daily.

I

n the sultry nocturnal heat of summer, the heart of Sanlitun’s labyrinthine shopping complex is an oasis of cool. With towering, neon-clad skyscrapers and the giant logo of an Apple store reflected on the watery paving, a gaggle of Chinese children play in gushing fountains. A ring of smartphone-wielding parents keep a watchful eye, while shoppers, diners, and fashionistas hurry past to the area’s myriad designer outlets, juice bars, and tattoo parlours. Welcome to Beijing 2018.

There is perhaps no city that has undergone such whirlwind development as Beijing over the last 30 years. Those jetting in to the sprawling, contemporary, glass and steel-sheathed Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital Airport today will be hard pressed to visualise the metropolis as it was three decades ago.

“Beijing in 1988 was a city that was on the verge of reinventing itself,” says Lars Ulrik Thom, a ­Beijing-based Danish expat and entrepreneur whose huge collection of old Chinese photographs has turned him into an expert on the capital’s history, as well as a popular raconteur. “There were hardly any foreign faces – just a few adventurous tourists, diplomatic staff, and businesspeople.

“Back then the great building spree that is still going on had not yet started,” he continues. “The Chi-

In 1988, Finnair was the first European airline to fly non-stop to the Chinese capital.

36 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

nese government had recently decided that B ­ eijing should no longer be an industrial city, but a cultural and political centre. This was a huge change from the Mao years. In the streets, new commodities were starting to appear – jeans, leather jackets, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Coca Cola were all novelties.”

MAKING THE CONNECTION With one weekly non-stop flight to Beijing starting in 1988, Finnair was the first European airline to fly non-stop to the Chinese capital. That aviation connection has blossomed to the point where ­Finnair now has 38 weekly flights to its destinations in Greater China: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Chongqing, and Hong Kong.

Finnair chief purser Asko Hämäläinen is the only representative of the cabin crew on that inaugural flight to Beijing still working for the airline. Hämäläinen started his career in 1979, which means he will celebrate a remarkable 40 years as a Finnair cabin crew member next year. The muchloved and well-respected veteran led the crew on Finnair’s 30th anniversary flight to Beijing from ­Helsinki on May 31, 2018.

“To be honest my first trip to Beijing only seems like yesterday, but obviously things have changed a lot since we pioneered the route,” says Hämäläinen.

Despite the passage of time, Hämäläinen still remembers that initial journey with amazing precision.

“We had 26 first class, 24 business class, and 154 economy class passengers on board. Needless to say, everyone was pretty excited,” he says.

With Finnair now linking Chinese cities to Europe like never before, Hämäläinen sees the number of connections multiplying further.

“Helsinki is a wonderful gateway between Europe, China, and greater Asia,” says the purser.

“Based on current trends, it’s not hard to see the number of weekly Finnair flights to China increasing from 38 to 138, and beyond.”

The new and the old meet in Beijing. Paul Andreu’s cutting edge National Grand Theatre sits next to the Sovietstyle Great Hall of the People.

>

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 37

Many of Beijing’s hippest areas centre around renovated hutongs or industrial areas (such as 798).

Despite the enduring landmarks, young Beijingers are growing up in a city still undergoing rapid change.

38 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

BACK TO THE FUTURE Those who take a taxi down Beijing’s Chang’an Avenue, a grand, multi-lane boulevard lined with glittering malls and towering high-rises, will find it hard to believe that the Chinese capital was once a city of quiet, leafy neighbourhoods. Yet even 30 years ago many Beijingers lived in simple, singlestorey courtyard houses (siheyuan), accessed via an intricate system of narrow alleyways (hutongs).

Since the 1980s many of Beijing’s hutong neighbourhoods have been demolished to make way for apartment blocks and skyscrapers. Yet in recent years the property cycle has turned full circle and siheyuan have once again become the ultimate Beijing real estate status symbol. The finest examples change hands for millions of dollars.

Many surviving hutongs, such as those in and around the trendy Nanluoguxiang area, have been completely gentrified and are now home to an eclectic collection of Bohemian coffee shops and teahouses, funky boutiques, and a burgeoning number of micro-breweries (Beijingers have recently discovered a taste for craft beer). Some, such as the Curvy Corridor Courtyard, have been exquisitely modernised and serve up some of Beijing’s finest cuisine (think yak carpaccio, pan-fried Zhoushan scallops, and short ribs with tea soup).

AVANT-GARDE ARCHITECTURE Under a setting sun the titanium skin of Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts (or National Grand Theatre) is burnished with fiery hues. Ringed by a shallow, shimmering pool, the shiny halfsphere sits atop its watery surroundings like some extraterrestrial craft, its interior lighting emitting a warm neon glow. Of all of Beijing’s eye-catching new structures, none embodies the evolution of the Chinese capital’s built environment more than this controversial, Paul Andreu-designed masterpiece.

Beijingers may have been divided over the the-

Siheyuan have once again become the ultimate Beijing real estate status symbol.

atre’s architectural merits after its pre-Olympic unveiling, but today most seem to appreciate its symmetrical, otherworldly beauty.

“I love this building now,” gushes Beijing local Li Keyuan, as she performs circuits of the dome with her three-year-old son. “At first I thought it was a waste of money, but it really gives Beijing a new identity.”

The National Grand Theatre’s sinuous lines are made all the more striking by its location next to the Great Hall of the People. Situated on one side of Tiananmen Square, the latter’s austere, Soviet-style angularity is a throwback to the era before China’s great gaige kaifang (“reform and opening up”).

“Forget futuristic architecture, back in 1988 there were hardly any tall buildings,” says 57-year-old Beijing native Chen Yusheng. “There weren’t even any ring roads (of which there are now seven), and the subway only had two lines (it now has 22).

“I remember commuting on a bicycle,” he continues a little wistfully. “Nowadays most of the bikes you see in Beijing belong to bike-share schemes, and a lot have tourists on them. The pace of life was slower, and there was a lot less traffic.”

>

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 39

THE DRIVE TO BE DIFFERENT On a Sunday afternoon fashion meets art in ­Beijing’s ultra-hip 798 (“qi jiu ba”) quarter. Crowds of twentysomethings sporting ripped jeans, miniskirts, faded hairstyles, and discreet tattoos sip caffè lattes and check out the area’s burgeoning number of Bauhaus-style galleries and shops. In the capital’s hotbed of contemporary art, the clothing on display is as idiosyncratic as the sculptures and installations.

Cities are, of course, defined as much by their people as they are by their infrastructure. Fashion made a cautious return to China in 1978, and by the early 1980s fashion magazines had resumed publication. Still, many men continued to wear so-called blue Mao jackets and baggy pants, while women had a limited selection of modest blouses and calflength skirts from which to choose.

“There wasn’t really much individuality at that time,’ says Chen Yusheng. “Besides, nobody had the means to express their individuality through clothing anyway. I remember going to the beach and everyone was wearing exactly the same swimsuit.”

In the 1980s, most Beijingers would dream of owning the so-called “four big things” – a radio, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a wristwatch – which were only available in specialised shops such

as the Friendship Store. Today they dream of ­everything from Teslas and Scandinavian-styled apartments decked out with smart gadgetry to beach breaks in Hainan and luxury ski trips to Europe.

“Society continues to change as rapidly as the fabric of the city itself,” says Jeremiah Jenne, an American writer, history teacher, and tour guide based in China since 2002. “Beijing has gained and lost many things over the last 30 years. I hope it can retain its unique identity.” 

LUT eMBA [ Yksilöllinen valinta ] Vaihtoehtoisia teemaopintoja alkamassa Innovaatiojohtaminen 29.11.2018 alkaen Lahdessa Hankintojen johtaminen 02/2019 alkaen Lahdessa Tietojohtaminen 04/2019 alkaen Helsingissä LUT eMBA -ohjelman yhteiset opinnot käynnistyvät marraskuussa 2019.

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Rohkeat ajattelevat toisin. Ole yksi meistä.

These days there are fewer bicycles and far more cars on the streets of Beijing.

Think again

MASTER OF THE THRILLER Psychologist and award-winning author Jussi Valtonen combines insight into the workings of the human mind with a sharp critique of contemporary culture.

TEXT KATJA PANTZAR PHOTO MARKO RANTANEN

W

hen author Jussi Valtonen’s own will with that of advertisers), and the pressure to be a super-achiever dystopian masterpiece at any price to mental or physical They Know Not What They wellbeing.

Do won the prestigious Finlandia Prize “We’re constantly taking on all these in 2014, the country’s highest honour, new devices, software, and new apps Valtonen became a member of the and we’re never quite sure what their Finnish literati overnight. algorithms actually do or what they filter The book went on to sell 110,000 out from our awareness, or where our ­copies in Finland alone and his agent private information goes. Now, these Elina Ahlbäck has since sold the rights questions are obviously to nine other territories, part of the public debate, including China, Germany, but it’s still hard to know and world English rights. It “Fiction what to think because you was recently published in is still the don’t always know what the the US to positive reviews.

Valtonen, self-described go-to place actual facts are,” he says.

Valtonen, an as a bit of an introvert, if you want to accomplished psychologist, says he’s adverse to all the self-promoting that understand is ­currently working on a research project as a postauthors are required to do. the inner doctoral fellow at NYU. “I was really lucky because Valtonen says that he’s winning the Finlandia Prize life.” not writing his next book – brought a lot of attention. yet. “Right now all my time Most books are born and and thinking is going into my research die without most people even knowing project,” says Valtonen, whose They they existed.”

Know Not What They Do took six years In They Know Not What They Do, a to complete. top American neuroscientist is forced Does his academic research influence to confront his past and the son he his writing? “Probably, in terms of abandoned 20 years ago in Finland, when his lab is attacked by animal rights world view and perspectives that are intuitively convenient, in the same sense activists. as any background would. But for me Valtonen’s ambitious book is a fiction is still the go-to place if you want ­satirical critique of contemporary c­ ulture to understand the inner life, thoughts, and its obsession with innovation, emotions, and what it’s like to be a ­corporate greed, technology (a device human being,” he answers.  called iAm gradually replaces its users’

42 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

W HO I AM Jussi Valtonen, 44 W HAT I D O Psychologist

and writer W HAT I THI NK “I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a few lines from Scottish philosopher Alasdair ­MacIntyre: ‘I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ if I can answer the prior question ‘Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?’”

W HAT I B E L I E VE “If you

start writing something, it often makes sense to try to finish it, even though you can never be sure whether it will turn out to be any good.”

New York-based bestselling Finnish author Jussi Valtonen at Helsinki’s market square, one of his favourite places

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 43

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Escape

Timeless transport

On the idiosyncratic island of Cuba, getting mobile involves a colourful mix of the rural and retro.

TEXT AND PHOTOS DANIEL ALLEN

46 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

In a country where spare parts are easier to come by than sophisticated machinery, ­transport options have a long shelf life.

The main street in the small town of ViĂąales is regularly patrolled by vintage American and Russian cars.

>

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 47

Guajiro Roberto López Fernández.

Guajiros are the backbone of Cuban agriculture and today the Viñales Valley remains their spiritual heartland.

Cuba is renowned, amongst other things, for its cigars.

Viñales is the centre of the island’s tobacco growing industry due to its fertile land and temperate climate.

48 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

With its tangerine soil, emerald-green vegetation, and distinctive limestone mogotes (hills), Viñales is the so-called “garden of Cuba.”

Cuba has a long tradition of using horses for both riding and for urban and rural transport, and Viñales is now home to a thriving horseback tourism industry.

>

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 49

FI NNAI R FL I E S TO Havana (HAV)

twice a week during the winter season.

Viñales is a two to three hour drive from the capital.

Cubans have long faced the challenge of expensive vehicles and fuel, which means horses remain a highly popular mode of transport. Cuba’s traditional vaqueros (cowboys) ride across landscapes that have changed little in centuries. 

Based in London and Asia, awardwinning writer and photographer DA N I EL A L L EN

has journeyed widely across the globe.

50 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

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Conversation Guest writer Eeva Eronen

Time for the WeChat economy That was probably one of my first thoughts when I learned to use the Chinese mobile app WeChat back in 2014.

I had moved to Shanghai and was trying to grasp how things worked. WeChat seemed to be how everyone communicated, so I downloaded the app.

WeChat was a giant already back then, with almost 500 million monthly active users. I also learned about ­Taobao, Alibaba’s online store where locals buy anything and everything. A ­ libaba had also created Alipay, a mobile ­wallet app enabling effortless payment of ­purchases, which already had 190 ­million users in 2014.

Back then, most ­people in Finland had never heard about WeChat, let alone Alipay.

Four years have passed, and WeChat’s user base has exceeded one billion. The Chinese use the app to do everything from ordering food, paying for shopping, hailing a taxi to making doctor’s appointments and communicating with friends, family, and business contacts.

Meanwhile, companies have replaced many traditional payment and marketing channels with WeChat and other mobile services.

Alipay nowadays has more than 500 ­million users, and mobile payment is booming. Cash is rarely needed in the big cities – and sometimes not even accepted. It’s telling that last July the Central Bank of China recommended that neither individuals nor companies

“ S O CO N V EN I ENT.”

E E VA E RO NE N is

PHOTO JAAKKO LEHTINEN

a financial journalist for Talouselämä magazine and the author of Jättiläisen askeleet, a book exploring China’s rise to the stature of economic giant.

should refuse cash payments.

Recently, WeChat and Alipay have been noted in Finland. Even the Finnish tax administration has opened a WeChat account in order to better serve their Chinese customers. Finnair sells flight tickets via WeChat and the City of Helsinki has developed its own WeChat mini-programme for Chinese travellers.

Ordinary Finns may run into Alipay logos when they go shopping, as at least 2,000 Finnish companies accept Alipay payments. Yet, few locals use neither WeChat nor Alipay. Why should we care?

As it happens, the presence of Alipay logos in Finland is a revealing signal. The fuss around WeChat and the likes is probably helping many people realise that China, a country that started reforming its economy at the end of 1970s, is now ahead of us in mobile payments and certain other mobile services.

Not long ago, many Finns didn’t know a­ nything about Chinese tech companies. This has changed, and many even r­ ecognise Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba.

It’s about time. The world is ­changing. Chinese tech giants are pushing forward the development of ­artificial intelligence, and the country aims to become the world leader in AI by 2030.

Moreover, the fact that Finnish ­companies and other organisations have started using WeChat and Alipay reveals that the Chinese are more welcome than ever before – as customers, investors, and potential partners. 

The Chinese use the app to do everything.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 53

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Create

Celebrate accomplishments

Digital meets art Estonia’s next-generation creative minds go beyond the traditional (p. 56) SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 55

Creative Corner Estonia

Digital dreams Drones, robots, and algorithms electrify the art scene in e-Estonia, the world’s most digitally advanced society.

TEXT SILJA KUDEL PHOTOS LIISA VALONEN

P

ixel is the perfect name for a pintsized Italian greyhound−especially one owned by Alyona Movko, an artist acclaimed for her audiovisual experiments and wow-eliciting projection mapping projects.

Her most famous piece to date is the dress worn by soprano Elina Nechayeva at Lisbon’s 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.

“The dress tells the story of an Ice Queen who melts and blossoms after finding love,” explains Movko, sipping a Fritz Kola at F-Hoone, a hip eatery in the Telliskivi district. With Pixel nuzzling by her side, colourful Movko seems right at home in this creative colony housed in a former Soviet industrial complex.

Movko spearheads a rising generation of young Estonian artists who are boldly harnessing ­digital technology−a trend that seems logical in the world’s most digitally connected nation.

Her creative work spans a wide spectrum from video mapping to music composition, including ­collaboration with partners from symphony orchestras to heavy metal bands. Her recent public commissions include a light show in Tallinn’s Freedom Square celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.

56 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Many of her works are inspired by synaesthesia, or the “joining of the senses.” A synaesthete might for instance hear music as colour, or the number “3” might have a particular flavour or sound.

“I have associated sounds with shapes and colours ever since my childhood. My synaesthesia is a great source of inspiration,” she says.

BLURRED LINES Movko works year-round juggling several projects on top of VJ appearances (real-time visual DJing) at events such as Helsinki’s Flow Festival.

“I haven’t slept much for the past three years,” she chuckles. “But VJing isn’t work for me −I breathe it! I love the incredible energy.”

In many respects Movko defies definition: She blurs the line between high and low, commercial and cultural, digital and analogue, urban and rural.

“Nature is my greatest inspiration. When I’m on a tight schedule, I go foraging for mushrooms in the woods to reconnect with myself. I just got back to the city this morning−to wash my hair!” she jokes.

Movko sees Estonia as an ideal environment for digital creatives. “Our president Kersti Kaljulaid is a great advocate of culture and education. Estonia is a nation that urges creativity to flourish.” >

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XANAX TEDDY Taavi Varm (nicknamed “Miisu” o ­ r Pussycat) is the creator of numerous large-scale video mapping projects and interactive installations for theatres and public v ­ enues such as the Fazer Museum in Helsinki.

“Whenever someone in Estonia wants a techdriven art project, they call Miisu−and I tell them what can be done. Boundary pushing is my thing,” says Varm.

Public art represents only a small fragment of Varm’s creative passions. He also directs theatre, runs a design studio together with his wife, Anni Varm, and plays experimental electronic music in his band Miisutron−all while completing a master’s degree at Aalto University’s Media Lab in Helsinki.

“I love variety and collaboration, especially in theatre−it’s a very social process. It’s great working with emotional, energetic people who share a common goal,” he enthuses.

A self-avowed “people person,” Varm lost his heart to computers the moment he caught sight of his first Macintosh while studying graphic art in ­Norway. “Something just clicked. But computers will always be just tools. I start with a pen and paper.

The technology follows the idea,” he insists.

Much as he enjoys monumental projects, addressing a wide public audience imposes certain l­imits.

More freedom is offered by his new pet project, an intimate theatre piece called 000 Xanax Edition ­featuring a whimsical group of robotic teddy bears.

“The piece has great personal significance as it

deals with depression, not in a dark way, but with gentle humour. It will be a road show that can be packed in a suitcase,” he reveals.

Although Varm works widely across Europe, he has no plans to leave Estonia. “Our progressive society is a great environment for creative people.

We don’t hide brilliant minds in basements. Culture is funded generously. Anything is possible for anyone in our small nation,” he says.

ART OF ALGORITHMS Varvara & Mar share a third-floor studio at ­Tallinn’s ARS Arts Factory, home to a community of over 90 artists.

Mar Canet is busy tweaking a robot arm before it is shipped off for an exhibition in ­Germany. >

MY TALLINN

BY TAAVI VARM KANUTI G IL D I SAAL in Tallinn’s

old town hosts one of Europe’s top six dance theatres.

My favourite bar in Tallinn is TO P S in the Kalamaja district. I love the old Soviet ­furniture.

When I need to escape, I travel to RISTNA , a beautiful beach on the island of Hiiumaa.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 59

Photo: SRV/Libeskind/Tomorrow

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“forest city,” is a great place to ­experience Estonian nature right in the capital.

L I N N A H A L L (origi-

nally the V. I. Lenin Palace of Culture and Sport) is a deserted spot with an interesting vibe.

T H E KA L A M A JA DI ST R I C T and its

colourful wooden buildings are a nice urban hub.

­ arvara Guljajeva meanwhile presents a device V that paints landscapes without human intervention.

“We call it Sunday Painter. It mixes romantic landscapes with a surreal vision of technology. The result is quite dystopic,” she muses.

The couple have been making art together since 2009. Surprisingly for such conceptually oriented artists, Guljajeva started out in computing, and Canet previously worked in games development.

The couple met in Barcelona and initially lived in Austria, but resettled in Estonia after the birth of their daughter nearly five years ago. Both gave up steady jobs “to challenge themselves” and survive solely on art. Guljajeva is currently a PhD candidate at the Estonian Art Academy.

POLITICAL ROBOTS Varvara & Mar are nothing if not experimental.

Their art migrates freely between various media, occupying a borderland between video, installation, and performance. Not only are their tools digital, but so are their themes.

Their video Neuronal Landscape features drone footage of an immersive landscape enhanced by DeepDream algorithm. The video was shot over ­frozen sea and wintry landscapes using a 360° drone camera at three metres, creating an illusion of levitation.

“The piece was commissioned for E ­ stonia’s 100th anniversary celebration by the ­Estonian Museum of History. We wanted to imagine

e-­Estonia 1,000 years from now, when we’ll all be seeing the world through the eyes of machines,” describes Canet.

The duo handles all stages from hard coding and laser-cutting to electronics. “People are surprised that we do all the physical stuff. I’m like (French artist) Louise Bourgeois: I like to have control,” says Guljajeva with a chuckle.

The duo enthusiastically greets the new wave of young post-digital artists following in the wake of Estonia’s best-known contemporary artist, Katja Novitskova.

“Actually I’m surprised that new media art isn’t even bigger in a society as advanced as ours. We were among the first pathfinders in Estonia to proclaim ‘digital is art,’” says Guljajeva. 

FI NNAIR FL I ES TO

Tallinn (TLL) ten times a day.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 61

Sidesteps Japan

S

CYCLING THE SEA HIGHWAY For those looking for an active way to experience some of Japan’s most scenic coastal views, Shimanami Kaido might just hit the spot.

TEXT STEVE JOHN POWELL

62 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

himanami Kaido, literally an Island-Wave-Sea Route, is a spectacular 60-kilometre road and bridge network that crosses the sea from Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture down to Imabari in Shikoku (Japan’s fourth-largest island). Along the way, seven bridges span six smaller islands like stepping-stones.

With bike and pedestrian lanes the whole way, it is possible to cycle over the sea, through the maze of misty islands that comprises the Seto Inland Sea National Park.

“The region’s mild climate is perfect for cycling,” says Noriko Kobayashi, head of inbound tourism at DiscoverLink Setouchi (DLS). “We get visitors from all over the world – South Africa, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and Switzerland.”

Onomichi was an important port in the Heian Era (794–1185). But like much of the area, its economy has declined in recent years. Shimanami Kaido, completed in 1999, aimed to benefit residents and tourists alike, boosting the region’s economy, reducing the isolation of island communities, and opening up the islands to visitors.

“Some people cycle the route in three hours,” Kobayashi explains. “Others take it slower.” And if you get tired, simply hand in your bike at one of the rental terminals along the route and catch a bus back.

CYCLIST’S HOTEL To make the route even more cyclefriendly, Onomichi is home to Japan’s first hotel designed exclusively for cyclists. In Hotel Cycle, located in a converted maritime warehouse, visitors can cycle up to the front desk, check in without dismounting, then take their bikes up to the rooms and hang them on the wall rack.

IN-STORE BIKE SHOP In the same building as Hotel Cycle, Taiwanese bike manufacturer Giant boasts a store catering to cyclists’ every need: bikes, accessories, repairs, and rentals.

The U2 building also houses a restaurant, bar, café, shop, and bakerydelicatessen, making it a popular place to hang out. Yard Café even has a cyclethrough window for grabbing a take-out snack without dismounting. Outside, only a wooden boardwalk separates U2 from the Onomichi Channel, so sit and chill while watching the boats go by. >

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 63

WHEN TO GO “For Japanese people, it gets too cold for cycling by the middle of November,” says Noriko Kobayashi of DLS. “But Australians and British people come here anytime!” The best cycling weather comes during the milder months – March to June and mid-September to November.

Visitors can rent and drop off bikes, including tandems and electric bicycles, at 14 points along the route. It costs around 1000 yen (just over 7 euros) a day, depending on the type of bike.

There’s also a surprising amount of art and culture to explore, so it’s worth making a few detours. Artist Ikuo Hirayama (1930– 2009), renowned for his dreamy paintings of the Silk Road, was born on Ikuchijima island, where one can find a museum dedicated to his work. Oyazumi Shrine on Omishima island dates from the Kamakura Era (1192–1333), and is one of Japan’s three oldest shrines.

And don’t miss the astounding Kosanji Temple, built by Osaka businessman Kozo Kanemoto in honour of his deceased mother. He had replicas built of his favourite bits of temples from all over the country, a kind of Best of Japan.

PHOTOS EHIME TOURIST OFFICE, ISTOCK, TETSUYA ITO / COURTESY OF ONOMICHI U2

CULTURAL SIGHTS

FI NNAI R F LIES TO Fukuoka (FUK)

three times a week, from where it’s a 2-hour train ride to Hiroshima, and to Osaka (KIX) daily, from where you can access Hiroshima by train in 2.5 hours.

UNBEATABLE VIEWS Bridges transport cyclists deep into the heart of rural Japan: Gentle mountains and unbroken greenery and the state-of-the-art bridges are an attraction in their own right. Tatara Bridge is one of the world’s longest cable-stayed bridges while Kurushima Bridge, a massive 4,045 metres long, is the world’s longest suspension bridge.

Citrus groves abound alongside the route, as do citrus-based products such as cakes, cordials, and ice creams. Some fruits, like the cannonball-sized anseikan, are unique to these islands. 

Marstrand shoes C L A S S I C N AT U R E- I N S P I R E D FO OT W E A R

This fall collection carries clear traces from our Swedish cultural heritage. Marstrand Island, with its arid and

picturesque landscape, a place that truly stirs something in us and inspires to create something beautiful and long lasting.

Skillful cobblers keeping a long tradition of f ine craftsmanship alive creating timeless shoes and boots to be worn for a long time to come.

B U Y YO U R M A RST R A N D S H O E S AT:

FEETFIRST.FI/NILSONSHOES

W W W . M A R ST R A N D S KO R . S E

be a step ahead. be one.

Priority check-in. Priority boarding.

Priority baggage. Fast track at security lanes.* As a ONEworld traveler, you spend less time in line, more time relaxing.

be recognized Welcome to ONEworld, an alliance of the world’s leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience across more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. Whenever Finnair can’t take you to your final destination, we encourage you to travel with our ONEworld partner airlines.

Enjoy an array of special privileges and rewards — which include earning and redeeming Finnair Plus points on all ONEworld airlines and, for Finnair Plus Platinum and Gold members, access to some 650 premium airport lounges.

*Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating is in accordance with the individual policy of the ONEworld member airline operating the flight. First and business class check-in desks and lounges are not available at all airports. Fast track is not available at all airports. Priority baggage handling is not available on flights operated by British Airways. Extra baggage allowance benefits differ for Sapphire and Emerald level members. ONEworld benefits are available only to passengers on scheduled flights that are both marketed and operated by a ONEworld member airline (marketed means that there must be a ONEworld member airline’s flight number on your ticket). airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, SriLankan Airlines and ONEworld are trademarks of their respective companies. LATAM Airlines (Paraguay) is currently not a part of ONEworld. Some limitations and exceptions may apply. For more information, visit www.oneworld.com/benefits.

oneworld member airlines

member of American Airlines British Airways Cathay Pacific Iberia Japan Airlines LATAM Malaysia Airlines Qantas Qatar Airways Royal Jordanian S7 Airlines SriLankan Airlines

68 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Investigation

Rolling the electric way After revolutionising bicycle sharing and mobile payments, China now aims for global dominance of the electric vehicle market.

TEXT MARK ANDREWS ILLUSTRATION ROBERT LÖNNQVIST

W

hen Nick Dong and his wife became a two-car family, buying an electric car was the smart choice. Like many larger Chinese cities, Beijing has restrictions on license plates, meaning that Dong’s first car, a locally made Haval H5, registered in another city, could not be fully used.

When Dong bought his electric Zhidou car made by a Geely joint venture it attracted RMB120,000 (15,000 euros) in national and local subsidies towards the purchase cost along with a Beijing license plate – a commodity strictly controlled by lottery.

“If it weren’t for the large subsidies as well as license plate policies, the electric car (EV) market in China would be tiny,” says James Chao, managing director Asia Pacific Automotive of IHS Markit, a leading provider of analytics for the automotive industry.

This carrot and stick policy towards such cars has catapulted China to become the world’s largest market for electric and plug-in hybrid cars – 2017 saw sales of what China refers to as new energy vehicles (NEV) amount to 579,000 cars.

Increasingly through such policies and the sheer market size China is pushing the agenda when it comes to electric cars. “China is one of the fastest growing electrified car markets, with the government also supporting the adoption of

new energy vehicles. When you also consider the potential size of the overall Chinese car market, the importance of China shouldn’t be underestimated,” says Duncan Forrester, vice president, global head of PR for Polestar. When Volvo, owned by China’s Geely Holdings, spun out Polestar as a separate electric car brand in 2017 it not only chose to launch the car but also site the factory in the middle kingdom.

NEW PLAYERS Up to now the main beneficiaries have been larger Chinese companies such as Geely, BYD, SAIC, and BAIC with their own brand offerings. Change however is coming from two fronts. Exponential growth in the market has spurred the emergence of around 300 new Chinese EV brands most of whom have no history of car production. Few have started sales, but many bring plans for Tesla like high-end electric cars which link together cloud-like services and autonomous driving technologies.

“We see ourselves as a global premium brand that combines the expertise of the German car industry, Silicon Valley’s innovation power, and the strength of the Chinese market. With this set-up we can compete with premium brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz,” says a PR representative of Byton which plans to start sales in China next year before moving on to the US and Europe in 2020. >

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 69

ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU

T H E N O R D I C WAY

DISCOVER THE TREASURES OF NORTHERN INDIA

Venture into mythical Delhi and find a unique combination of old and new by strolling around the picturesque alleys, lush boulevards and majestic temple squares. After your feet feel tired, it’s time to exercise your tongue with the rich flavors of genuine Indian cuisine. Pack your bags and see our destinations and winter flight dates at finnair.com

Byton customers will have digital profiles in the Byton Life cloud environment meaning that every Byton in the world can identify them via facial recognition camera and download their profile. The aim of this is to move into the realm of shared mobility. “Our first and most important market will be China for three reasons: The market is big and fastgrowing; the people are very open to new technologies; and the infrastructure for electric mobility has been developing rapidly,” says Byton’s representative.

any other country it surprisingly exports very few.

NEVs represent a way that China can gain a real advantage over existing players, but it goes further than just reducing pollution and the need to import oil, it could be about to change our whole concept of mobility.

“The tipping point has already happened. China won.

They understand it’s not just about who is going to lead development of the car but who is going to shape future mobility. It’s a new era,” says Bill Russo, Automobility CEO. Just as China has managed to revolutionise bicycle sharing and mobile payments he believes that it GLOBAL INFLUENCES stands to bring such innovation to our mobility through shared, autonomous, Companies such as Byton and NIO hope electric cars. that by moving fast and having expertise across China’s Uber equivalent Didi is already a many fields such as consumer electronics and the internet they can beat the legacy makers at their own large user of NEV cars, as are various car sharing schemes such as EVCard – many of which count game – especially in China where many Chinese car manufacturers as investors. Couple this with manufacturers are still struggling to compete with cloud systems, along with rapidly improving selfmore established foreign multinational companies.

“There are emerging potential competitors to Tesla driving car technology, Nick Dong might find that who have attractive products as well as deep pockets he will never buy car number three.  through long term investors. NIO is one that comes to mind,” says Chao.

The second driver for change is the relaxation of the rules for foreign companies entering China to produce EVs. When China originally opened the doors to foreign companies in 1983 they restricted them to 50:50 joint ventures with Chinese automotive companies in the hope of jump-starting the domestic car industry. Tesla has for years been interested in setting up a plant but refused to play

by Beijing’s rules, wanting instead to wholly own its plant. China signalled earlier this year that it would allow EV manufacturers to wholly own plants and in June Tesla announced plans for a factory in Shanghai.

So far foreign multinationals have been slow to enter the Chinese NEV market with the limited offerings mainly restricted to some plug-in hybrids.

Adding impetus China’s NEV mandate requires that by 2019 manufacturers need to obtain 10 per cent of credits from such vehicles which means that plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles will in practise need to make up around four to five per cent of sales. “The government is driving the EV industry in China and in some respects, the world” says Chao.

INNOVATIONS OF THE FUTURE China has long dreamed of becoming a global force in the car market but despite producing more cars than

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Sauna or shrine?

NECK AND NECK As the weather gets cooler, so do you. Keep warm the tubular way.

LO N N A SAUNA has been selected as one of Finland’s top 16 buildings of 2016–2018 in the Finnish Biennial Architectural Review. Sculpted entirely from wood, this architectural gem offers an intimate bathing experience and serene sea views from its loft-like steam rooms.

“The sauna is similar to a church, like a shrine for a primitive Ugric rite – a rite of washing your cares away,” says architect Anssi Lassila.

His office OOPEAA Architects have recently won a competition for another unique bathing venue: a floating sea pool concept for the Allas Sea Pool family.

Lonna Sauna is 15 minutes by ferry from Helsinki’s Market Square, open until September 29, €16 for two hours.

I NFI NI TY SPL ASH is a never-ending loop of arty splashes in soft jersey. €24.95 from Hicca

GET THE GROOVE Helsinki Design Week Market at the Cable Factory features a special treat for music fans: a new Vinyl Market. A live DJ will be on hand to spin tunes while vinyl hunters browse LP treasures in the Turbine Hall.

September 8–9

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES, ISTOCK

TH IS Y E AR’S

ME L I SSA is a unisex wardrobe staple in organic cotton. €19.90 from Puuvillatehdas

SPIRIT OF PURITY design meets traditional methods of smoke-drying rye in “Smoke and Rye,” the latest smallbatch experiment in Kyrö Distillery’s “Study” series.

MI NI MAL I STI C

TR I ANG L E S is pure geometry in super-soft merino wool. €75 from Kauneve

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 73

ADVERTISEMENT

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Much more than meets the eye In answer to modern work space demands, Business Meeting Park Ltd. has created an unique ”Safe Haven for Businesses” in the Finnish capital.

In today’s global business world, an office full of desks, chairs and computers is no longer enough for a happy and efficient workforce. Workspaces have to be secure, flexible and all-inclusive, incorporating different type of spaces with high quality business services on demand.

estate agent services, and arbitration facilities, which are widely used due to Meeting Park’s unique general confidentiality policy.

Meeting Park is conveniently located in the heart of Helsinki, inside the FORUM shopping centre, where you can find over 140 stores and restaurants, including the finest shops like Marimekko, Victoria's Secret, ”I compare our MoominShop, Pentik, Lindex, H&M, KappAhl business to a hotel and Mango. Forum has been chosen as the Best Nordic Shopping Center in 2017 by Nordic concierge service” Council of Shopping Centers (NCSC).

Business Meeting Park Ltd. in Helsinki offers just that; an all inclusive diverse and confidential business centre, that is open around the clock 24/7. It’s offers more than 110 different meeting and conference rooms, VIP lounges, co-working and office spaces for temporary or long-term use. It includes all traditional business centre services too, such as video conferencing and streaming facilities, a mailing, assistant and full catering.

“I compare our business to a hotel concierge service because we provide to our clients such a high level of service and countless facilities. After all, we are not just providing an office or meeting space, we are wide-ranging business park that caters to everything the modern worker and business could need. We offer a safe haven for businesses” says Dr Jani Kaarlejärvi, executive vice president and co-founder of Meeting Park.

He’s not wrong. Services even extend to travel and business arrangements, match-making, technology partner scouting, real-

With all this to offer, it’s little surprise that Business Meeting Park has become the go-to destination for international customers visiting Finland on business. Already with over 1,900 business clients from all around the world, Meeting Park is the fastest growing private business meeting and office park in Finland.

Having seen such success in Helsinki, Business Meeting Park is now looking to expand internationally to new locations with local and international partners.

MeetingPark.fi +358 10 5011 501

Dr Jani Kaarlejärvi is the executive vice president and co-founder of Business Meeting Park Ltd.

Globetrotter On the road with a travel blogger

The beautiful ­Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia

Early morning in Eibsee, Germany

Reflections of Tübingen, Germany

Starting the day with a classic breakfast in Bali

Digital nomad duo Alex Waltner is on a mission to share all the amazing places and diversity the planet has to offer.

W H AT M AD E YOU FA L L I N LOV E W I T H

S H A R E A SECR E T FOR TRAVE L L I NG

I truly fell in love with photography when I travelled to ­Vietnam. The beautiful rice terraces and local tribes of SaPa, and the majestic limestones of Halong Bay were a dream to experience and photograph.

W I T H A LOVE D ONE . Well, it’s not always as romantic as people think!

My best tip for a successful trip with a loved one is to always carry snacks and water. ­Otherwise it’s easy to get hangry.

W H AT ARE S O ME T I PS F O R R ES PO N -

I F YO U COUL D TI ME TRAVE L , W HE R E

It’s simple: Say no to ­plastics, support locals, use biodegradable products, choose s­ ustainable accommodation, and don’t litter.

WO U L D YOU G O AND W HY?

P H OTO G RAP H Y ?

S IB L E TRAV E L?

I am a ­history buff so it would be a dream to go back in time to visit Ancient Egypt and the Inca Empire.

AL E X WALT N ER ,

a.k.a Swedish Nomad, is a professional travel blogger and photographer who travels the world with his girlfriend Christine. swedishnomad

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 75

MAINOS

A.Vogel – voimaa luonnosta Sveitsiläinen Alfred Vogel innostui jo nuorena lääkekasveista ja terveellisestä elämäntyylistä. Vakuuttuminen luonnon ihmeellisestä voimasta vei hänet elämänpituiselle matkalle luonnonmukaisen terveydenhoidon pariin sekä tutkimusmatkoille eri kaukomaihin ja alkuperäiskulttuureihin.

A.Vogel – power from nature

Tinkimätön laatu on ykkösperiaatteita Vogelin tuotteissa. Rohtokasvit kasvatetaan puhtaasti, luomuviljelyn standardien mukaisesti.

Luonnonvaraiset kasvit puolestaan kerätään vastuullisesti, luontoa kunnioittaen. Parhaan tehon saavuttamiseksi kasvit käytetään aina tuoreina ja kokonaisina. Esim. tuore punahattu on 90 % tehokkaampi viruksiin kuin kuivattu.

Unconditional top quality is one of the leading principles of Vogel products. The medicinal plants are grown in a pure environment, in accordance with the standards of organic farming. In turn, the wild plants are collected in a responsible manner that respects nature. To obtain the best effect, we always use the plants when they are fresh and in their entirety. For example, Echinacea is 90 % more effective against viruses while fresh, as compared to when dried.

Vogelin innovatiivisen kasvilääkinnän takana on pitkät perinteet ja nykyaikainen tutkimus. Tuotteiden tehon ja toimivuuden varmistavat kliiniset tutkimukset toteutetaan yhteistyössä arvostettujen asiantuntijoiden ja yliopistojen kanssa.

Vogel’s innovative herbal medicinal products stand on a foundation of long tradition and modern research. The efficacy and safety of the products are verified through clinical studies performed in collaboration with distinguished experts and universities.

Alfred Vogel toteutti useita pitkiä tutkimusmatkoja eri puolille maailmaa. Yhden matkoistaan Vogel teki 1952 Pohjois-Amerikkaan, Etelä-Dakotaan, jossa hän vietti aikaa Lakota-intiaanien parissa tutustuen heidän perinteisiin rohtokasveihinsa ja elintapaansa. Lähtiessään sieltä hän sai intiaanipäälliköltä arvokkaan lahjan, punahatunsiemeniä, joita hän alkoi viljellä Sveitsissä.

A.Vogel品牌的植物药和营养素补充剂是公认的优质 产品。我们的 产品由瑞士药厂严格遵循高质量标准生 产。我们的产品在芬兰健康 领域最为熟知，并已在芬兰市场存在四十多年。

Matkailijan TOP 3 tuotteet: / TOP 3 products for travellers:

Karhealle kurkulle. / For hoarse throat.

– 紫锥花鼠尾草咽喉 喷剂，有效治疗嗓音嘶哑并缓 解喉咙疼痛

Kuiville, ärtyneille silmille. / For dry, irritated eyes. 滴眼液， 用于缓解眼睛干燥、疲 倦及发炎症状

Ruoansulatukselle. / For the digestion. 用于清洁和保护肝脏的 植物精华抗毒素片

Available in health stores, health food departments and pharmacies 本产品在保健品商店、保健品专柜以及药店均有销售。

Lue lisää: www.vogel.fi

PHOTO FINNAIR

Fly

The world of Finnair

Inspiring journeys The world is your playground with Finnair’s extensive network SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 77

World of Finnair Highlights of the month

DXB Dubai

The desert city of Dubai is best known for its luxury shopping and skyscrapers.

Behind the f­uturistic beat, there co-exists a world of chivalry, pride, and beauty ruled by sheikhs and their Arabian horses.

Dubai is the perfect place to soak in the beauty and the endurance of this o ­ ldest horse breed in the world. Every year horse races, auctions, and shows boost the ­visitor numbers to the city where a horse can be worth millions.

Finnair flies to Dubai seven times a week (except Tuesdays) during winter season.

78 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTO ANETTE FOTOGRAFIK

THE PUREST BREED

WELCOME TO THE CITY ON THE MOVE T H E N O R D I C WAY

ENJOY THE UNIQUE RHYTHM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Life in Amsterdam never slows down. Rent a bike and pedal around the flower markets or jump on a canal boat and admire the wonderfully strange architecture of the city. Book your flights to Amsterdam at finnair.com

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 79

KOE AITO MEKSIKO UNOHTUMATON LOMA TYYNENMEREN RANNALLA. Ystävällisiä ihmisiä, herkullista ruokaa ja juuri sopivasti latinotunnelmaa.

Meksikon saavuttaman suuren suosion ansiosta aloitamme matkat myös värikkääseen ja kiireettömän elämänmenon maustamaan Sayulitaan.

Lennämme Meksikoon suorin Finnairin lennoin, uusilla A350-koneilla.

Varaa nyt aurinkomatkat.fi

OMA MAAILMANSA

90 %

Puerto Vallartaan matkustaneista asiakkaistamme suosittelee kohdetta.

World of Finnair Highlights of the month

Japanese culinary journey brings her unique seasonal cuisine to Business Class passengers on flights between Tokyo and Helsinki.

A successful restaurateur in Tokyo, Chef Maezawa focuses on seasonal, vegetable-centric dishes that recall home cooking styles of an earlier era in her native Japan.

“A foundational aspect of my cooking style is the use of traditional dried ingredients,” notes Chef C H E F RICA M A EZ AWA

Maezawa. “When introduced into our meal assemblage, they bring a more intense depth of flavour for our customers’ enjoyment.”

Chef Maezawa has designed four seasonal Signature Menus, each with her own adaptation of the classical Bento Box. Her autumn menu features fillet of beef steak and sautéed mushrooms with white miso and mustard sauce, accompanied by steamed rice with walnuts.

Another win Down Under picks up its sixth win as “Best International Airline — Offline” by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA). The annual award recognises excellence within the Australian travel and tourism industry over the past 12 months.

“Finnair Team Australia is thrilled to receive this prestigious award and we thank the industry and our valued clients for their on-going support,” says Sanna Ruuskanen, Finnair Corporate Sales Manager Australia.

The National Travel Industry Awards Gala was held on July 21, 2018.

FI NNAI R

FINNAIR ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Great news! Our in-flight magazine Blue Wings is among the finalists in International Folio Awards @foliomag.

FINNAIR

We recently celebrated the anniversary of our first Helsinki to Amsterdam flight from July 1948. The route has connected Finns and the Dutch for 70 years.

FINNAIR

Taste the Nordic summer with the new Business Class menu. You can enjoy Finnair Signature Chef Tommy Myllymäki’s meals on long-haul flights departing from Helsinki.

FI NNAI R

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 81

World of Finnair Services

STAY CONNECTED

Fly the short northern route

FI NNAI R CHAT Finnair Live chat is available on weekdays 7 am to 10 pm, on Saturdays 9 am to 6 pm, and on Sundays 10 am to 10 pm (Finnish time).

chatbot, affectionately known as Finn, who is ready to help plan your journey via Finnair’s global Facebook Messenger account.

ME E T FI NNAI R ’S

FI NNAI R APP Tap your way through your journey. Log in with your last name and booking reference or your Finnair Plus username and password.

All Finnair A330 and A350 aircraft offer Wi-Fi connections.

SKY HI G H W I - FI

WITH A MODERN FLEET, extensive route network, and world-class service, Finnair offers a comfortable and convenient way to travel.

Finnair is one of the world’s oldest airlines.

Since then, the company has grown from a small carrier to one that is a respected member of the international airline industry.

Finnair’s route network includes 19 destinations in Asia, 7 in the Americas, and 100 in Europe. In ESTAB L IS H E D IN 1 923 ,

2017, Finnair carried almost 12 ­million passengers. And during the 2018 summer season, Finnair will operate 97 flights a week to Asia, of which 38 flights are to China and 38 flights to Japan.

Finnair’s modern and ecofriendly fleet consists of over 60 aircraft, most of which are Airbuses.

W ECHAT

Scan and follow Finnair’s official WeChat account.

SMART PACKING

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TAKEOFF

Pack too much?

Avoid excess baggage fees by paying in advance for extra allowance at special pre-paid prices directly from finnair.com.

Carry-on allowance

Onboard etiquette

Self-service bag drop

Finnair customers can take onboard one carry-on baggage and a personal item such as a backpack that must be placed under the seat in front of you.

Fragrances can sometimes be overwhelming so please be considerate of those with allergies.

Less is best.

Print your bag tag at the self-service kiosk, go to the self-service bag drop, scan your boarding pass, scan your bag tag, and send your bag through.

82 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

Liquids rule Liquids are allowed through security in containers (max 100ml) packed in a transparent resealable 1-litre plastic bag.

World of Finnair Frequent flyer program

Finnair Plus membership

FI

N

N

A JO IR IN .C A O T M /P L

U

S

THE FINNAIR PLUS program allows you to earn both tier points and award points when travelling with Finnair or a oneworld airline and award points from services provided by Finnair Plus partners.

A WORLD OF BENEFITS

WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH?

BEST FROM PARTNERS

TOP UP YOUR MILES free by filling in the form attached to this magazine or online at finnair.com/plus.

As a Finnair Plus member, you get access to valuable benefits and rewards. Earn points for flights and services and use them both at home and abroad.

You can use your Finnair Plus award points for additional Finnair services such as seat selection, meals, and extra baggage payments. The number of points you pay depends on your flight and the chosen service. You can pay for travel extras at the time you book your reservation or later through the Manage Booking tab.

Go to finnairshop.com to find Finnair gift cards, partner services, and award vouchers.

If you don’t have quite enough points to redeem your dream award flight, you can buy award points and receive up to 40% more. Buy points now and book your award flights to the Finnair destination of your dreams. But hurry−this offer is only available 20.8 - 16.9.

J O IN FINNAI R PLU S F O R

Finnair Plus Family&Friends allows you to create a group with other Finnair Plus members. You can get an overview of your group’s award points and track your progress towards the travel goals you set. You can also transfer award points between members of your Family&Friends group free of charge. Create a group, invite your friends, save up for your dream reward, and travel the world together! finnair.com/plus

DOUBLE POINTS For a limited time only in ­September, earn double points when booking a car rental from Rentalcars.com− the world’s largets online car rental ­service. Best price guaranteed! finnairshop.com/en/ rentalcarscom

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 83

World of Finnair Deals of the month

7 reasons to love finnairshop.com

AIKAPUU

THE FINNAIR SHOP is your one-stop shopping site to pre-order products before your flight, buy Nordic design items delivered directly to your home, and use your Finnair Plus points for various Finnair Plus partner services.

Wristwatch Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

€143

UCON 2-in-1 bag/backpack Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

€53

ELIZABETH ARDEN White Tea, EdT, 50ml Available at finnairshop.com for seat delivery.

€24

SEPTEMBER DEALS

BALMUIR Capri scarf Available at finnairshop.com for seat or home delivery.

€139

84 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

20% OFF CAMPAIGN! Receive 20% off when you preorder for your Finnair flight flown within September. And from 17–30.9 receive 20% off when you shop onboard products. Please see the catalogue in the seat pocket in front of you or ask a crew member for more information.

World of Finnair Deals of the month

1, O 00 FF 0 ER P

RETAIL THERAPY

SHOPPING MADE EASY!

HAGLÖFS TORSÅNG Backpack – two colour options Available at finnairshop.com for home delivery.

Now you can use your Finnair Plus points to pay for your pre-order products and o ­ nboard purchases! Go to the complimentary Nordic Sky portal onboard – the ­pre-order webshop is always open on Wi-Fi connected Finnair flights. Find the best deals on ­tax-free ­products and enjoy special Finnair Plus offers.

€95 + 1,000 p

1, O 00 FF 0 ER P

4X WAYS TO SHOP ONB OARD

Shop online via your own mobile device during the flight using the complimentary Nordic Sky portal.

NEWPORT €159 + 1,000 p

1, O 00 FF 0 ER P

Peach tree weekend bag Available at finnairshop.com for home delivery.

PR E - OR D E R

Pre-order online before any Finnair flight. finnairshop.com

HOME DELIVERY

KÄMP SPA Redeem a €100 voucher for a spa treatment with your ­Finnair Plus points or with a combination of money and points (available at finnairshop.com).

from €83 + 2,000 p

Use Finnair Plus points to shop for products delivered directly to your home.

VOUCHE R S

Use Finnair Plus points to redeem a voucher for restaurants, hotel stays, car rentals, and much more.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 85

World of Finnair Flying stories

Every seat has a story

3X #FEELFINNAIR

IT’S THE CUSTOMERS who make Finnair and that’s why we’ve dedicated this page to your travel stories.

Share your Finnair moments on Instagram using @feelfinnair.

If you want to be featured, use #feelfinnair.

MEET THE FREQUENT FLYER

susselsson Guarding the palace #portugal #lisbon #catstagram #monserratepalace

Finnair Plus m ­ ember from Finland

during the summer; San Pedro in Belize during the winter.

FINNAIR P LUS TIE R

W H AT I S T H E M OST

Platinum, since 1997

IMPRESSIVE ­A IRPORT?

W HAT I TE M COUL D

I really enjoy London Heathrow Terminal 5, especially the Concorde Room with its first class service.

YOU NE VE R TRAVE L

JA RM O P ITKÄNE N

AV E RAGE FL IGH TS P E R Y E AR

160

NE X T D E STINATION S

El Paso and Riyadh W H I C H F I N N A I R PLU S WH AT ARE YO UR

B EN EF I T DO YO U U S E

A L L-TIM E FAVO U RI T E

M OST ? The travel class upgrades and lounge access.

­D ESTINATIO NS?

Lake Tahoe in the US

86 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

HOW D O YOU STAY

swante86 One of the most famous landmarks in Japan surrounded by impressive stone walls and moats. #osaka #japan #osakacastle

B USY ONB OAR D?

I watch movies and sleep.

W I THOUT?

My iPad.

SHAR E ONE TI P TO COMB AT JE TL AG .

Drink plenty of water, eat light, and try to get in a jog as soon as you arrive at your destination.

hannamiam Morning dip Lake Michigan style. #goodmorning #chicago #illinois #lakemichigan #usa

World of Finnair Sky food

Eat well FANCY A SNACK ONBOARD? Finnair offers a wide selection of seasonal and healthy options that combine the best of the Nordics, Europe, and Asia.

3 WAYS TO A TASTY MEAL Complimentary beverages Complimentary coffee, tea, water, and Finnair’s signature blueberry juice are always served on Finnair flights.

SI G NATUR E ME NU.

Business Class passengers on Finnair longhaul flights can enjoy Signature Menus prepared by chefs from top restaurants.

S KY B I STR O.

Pick of the month When flying from Helsinki on selected intercontinental flights, upgrade your Economy Class meal by pre-ordering a Business Class standard meal. New on the menu: a Burger Feast.

Pre-order latest 24 hours before the flight.

Passengers on Finnair flights within Europe and the Middle East can mix and match favourite tastes from the onboard Sky Bistro menu.

FINNA

SKY BISTRIR O

CHEF OF THE SEASON sensation awaits long-haul Business Class customers departing from Helsinki. Swedish top chef Tommy Myllymäki’s Signature Menu e ­ mphasises the fresh flavours that reflect his Nordic and Finnish heritage, and of course, bring out the best of the ­Nordic season.

A NOR D I C TASTE PR E - OR D E R .

Passengers on Finnair flights within Europe and the Middle East can choose sandwiches, salads, breakfast, or dinner in advance from the Nordic Bistro menu.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 87

World of Finnair Wellness & comfort

Onboard wellness

3X TIPS FOR CABIN COMFORT

STAY HYDRATED It is recommended to drink 1-2 decilitres of water every hour. If possible, minimise the amount of tea, coffee, and alcohol you drink.

HEALTHIER AIRCRAFT

The Finnair A350 combines the latest technology with advanced passenger comfort features to help you rediscover the thrill of flying. An advanced HEPA filtering system changes the cabin air every two to three minutes ensuring comfort and health for all passengers. Large windows let natural light flow into the cabin and LED technology emits lighting and colours that are customised to fit the time of day, destination, or season. The noise level is 16 decibels below the standard requirement, so resting and relaxing while onboard is easy.

GET SOME SLEEP The best way to tune out is to wear an eye mask and ear plugs. Keep warm, too – have a jacket or blanket handy in case you need it.

2X COMFORTABLE UPGRADES NORDIC BUSINESS CLASS Finnair’s Business Class seats let you fully recline on your intercontinental flight. The seats transform into a 200 cm (6’6”) horizontal bed, so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

88 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

ECONOMY COMFORT Finnair’s Economy Comfort seating in the front of the Economy Class cabin makes intercontinental travel even more pleasurable with 8–13 cm (3–5 inches) more legroom.

GENERAL WELLBEING Try to bring something to snack on.

Fruit and veggies are always a great healthy option. And remember to wear comfortable clothing.

World of Finnair Flight mode

Stay connected THE NORDIC SKY Wi-Fi portal is available on all intercontinental flights and gives you access to news, destination information, and Finnair services. You can use the portal to connect your own devices to the internet.

HOW TO GET STARTED FINNAIR APP – YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION

1

Get boarding passes, book flights and travel extras, view your Finnair Plus balance, and much more with the Finnair app. The app supports your Finnair journey all the way from home to your destination and back!

urn your T device to flight mode and ­enable Wi-Fi

2

Join the Wi-Fi ­network Nordic Sky

3

Open the browser of your choice

4

Start exploring at nordic-sky. finnair.com

1 HOUR

3 HOURS

12 HOURS

7.95€

11.95€

19.95€

You can purchase or redeem internet access directly from the portal.

WHAT’S PLAYING UPG RAD E

AD R I FT

A quadreplegic is implanted with a computer chip that cures his paralysis, as well as equipping him with special capabilities.

Tami and Richard find they are sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded ­history.

SOLO: A STAR WAR S STORY

NE L L A THE PR I N C ESS KNI G HT

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in an epic action-adventure.

Follow the adventures of Nella, a brave princess who turns into a princess knight.

AME R I CAN ANI MAL S

TE AM UMI ZOOMI

Four young men mistake their lives for a movie and attempt one of the most audacious heists in US history.

Hey all you Umifriends, Team Umizoomi needs your help! Build a superfast speedboat with shapes.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 89

World of Finnair Staff tips Parasol mushrooms easily fill your basket!

Baby chanterelles are quick to identify.

Wild world of fungi

Matsutake mushrooms are prized in Japan.

Some people practice yoga for peace of mind.

Sari Lukkaroinen forages for wild mushrooms.

Here are her tips and techniques: There are many types of mushroom here in Finland; “everyman’s right” allows you to pick freely from almost everywhere. The season can start already in early May and last until late November. But the serious picking happens in August-September.

FO RAG ING TO URS

Many organisations and travel companies arrange excursions or guided tours. These are

ideal for beginners as it’s easy to get lost in the woods or accidentally pick something poisonous.

K N OW YO U R F U N GI

Only pick mushrooms that you can definitely identify.

If you are not 100 per cent sure, then don’t eat it. Start by learning to identify two to four ­species and collect only those. You can increase your knowledge by two to three species a year.

90 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

HOW TO HARVE ST

It’s best to detach the whole mushroom from the ground and clean it on the spot from any dirt. Place your foraged mushrooms in a large airy basket and separate the different species. Mushrooms should be prepared as soon as possible because they start to deteriorate quickly. If you find more mushrooms than you can use within two days, you can easily freeze or dry them for later use.

SAR I LUKKAR OIN EN

is a Service Instructor and member of Finnair’s cabin crew for 30 years.

She is also a trained mushroom advisor.

PHOTOS SARI LUKKAROINEN

M U S H RO O M S G ALOR E

World of Finnair Holiday sampler

Experience more with Finnair

TOP 3 FUN & SUN Discover the rich culture and cuisine of Turkey. Choose your vacation package at aurinkomatkat.fi. (Available in Finnish)

Located on the Turkish Riviera, this authentic resort destination is known for its turquoise bays and seaside promenade lined with chic cafĂŠs and restaurants.

MAR MAR I S.

EXPLORE FINNAIR HOLIDAYS THE STORY OF A LIFETIME is waiting for you. Flights, hotel, unique experiences, and triple amount of Finnair Plus points can now be found from one place. Finnair Holidays is available in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. Find your story at finnair.com/holidays.

Intriguing destinations

Triple Finnair Plus points

Finnair Holidays opens the door to the most intriguing places in the world. Choose a theme for a unique holiday experience.

You can earn three Finnair Plus tier and award points for every euro used on your Finnair Holidays experience.

World-class golf, luxurious spa treatments, and water parks make this coastal paradise a favourite of couples and families.

B E L E K.

Flights, hotel, and a holiday experience Finnair Holidays is an easy way to find flights, hotels, and unique experiences all in one place.

Stroll through the charming old city’s bazaars and art galleries or find your dream beach along the Mediterranean coast.

ANTALYA.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 91

World of Finnair Sustainability

Finnair offers carbon cutting options AC TING Q UIC KLY on the results of a Finnish survey in summer 2018, Finnair is launching a service in 2019 offering customers the opportunity to reduce or compensate for their carbon load. The survey confirmed that most Finns, while sceptical about the effectiveness of a flight tax, are prepared to pay to cut air travel emissions as long as any additional charges are funnelled directly to effective environmental projects.

“As of 2019, customers will have the choice of supporting either the use of biofuels or ­carbon sinks i­nitiatives when they travel on F ­ innair flights,” says Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo. “Finnair will offer two alternatives: customers can purchase biofuel that will be included and blended on a later

flight, or contribute to a carbon sinks project with a sum of their choosing.”

Finnair is negotiating with potential partners, and details of the alternatives offered by the company and its partners in the plan will be communicated later.

Meanwhile, Finnair remains committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

“Investment in fuel-­efficient ­aircraft is our most important and impactful environmental action, but we also work with the environment in mind in our daily flight operations,” says Vauramo. “Fly with airlines that have a modern fleet, fly the shortest route, pack light, and combine air travel with other traffic modes.”

BETTER PLANET Finnair’s sustainability strategy is built on three principles – cleaner, caring, and collaborative.

DO GOOD Finnair Plus members can make point donations via finnairshop.com to • The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation • Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) • The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals • The Cancer Society of Finland • The Finnish Red Cross • UNICEF Finland • Hope • UN Women

90+ YEARS AND COUNTING 1 92 3

1 924

Finnair, known as Aero, is founded

Finnair receives its first aircraft: Junkers F 13

1 9 47

1952

1968

1969

1980

1992

Finnair air hostesses take to the skies

Helsinki ­ irport opens A

Finnair reveals its new logo and name change

First Finnair trans-Atlantic flight to New York City

Blue Wings launches

The Finnair Plus program is introduced

92 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

World of Finnair Fleet

AIRB U S A35 0- 9 0 0

Number 11 + 8 on order Seating capacity 297-336 Length 66.8 m Wingspan 64.75 m Cruising speed 903 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 13,000 m AIRB U S A330-3 0 0

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 AIRB U S A32 1

Number 19 Seating capacity 196–209 Length 44.5 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m

* gradual roll-out by 2019

AIRB U S A32 0

Number 10 Seating capacity 165 Length 37.6 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m

* gradual roll-out by 2019

AIRB U S A31 9

Number 8 Seating capacity 138 Length 33.8 m Wingspan 34.1 m Cruising speed 840 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 11,900 m

* gradual roll-out by 2019

E M B RAE R 1 9 0

Operated by Norra Number 12 Seating capacity 100 Length 36.2 m Wingspan 28.7 m Cruising speed 850 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 12,300 m

ATR 72

Operated by Norra Number 12 Seating capacity 68/72 Length 27 m Wingspan 27 m Cruising speed 463 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 7,620 m

1 995

Finnair’s website launches

1 997

1 999

2 004

Finnair joins oneworld alliance

Arrival of ­ irbus A320 A

Online check-in opens

2 013

Launch of Marimekko for Finnair ­collection

2 014

2 015

2017

Finnair celebrates its 90th anniversary

Arrival of ­ irbus A350 A

Finnair celebrates Finland’s centenary UNDER THE

NORT HER N SKIES – 100 STORIES CELEBRATING

FLYING –

| VIEW FROM THE COCKPIT | KING | STYLE IN THE CRAB FLIES CARGO SKIES | DISCOVERIES | WELCOME TO WITH | FINNISH SNOW-HOW NOBEL LAUREATE BENGT HOLMSTRÖM HEL | | BEHIND THE SCENES | LOVE IN THE AIR | AT THE AIRPORT |

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 93

World of Finnair Airport info

55

54

53 52

SOUTH PIER GATES 54–55

2ND FLOOR

BUS GATES 51 A–D

FINNAIR LOUNGE FINNAIR PREMIUM LOUNGE

34

NONSCHENGEN AREA

T2

33 GROUND FLOOR

BUS GATES 50 A–M

Security control

NONSCHENGEN AREA

32 32a

Welcome to Helsinki Airport

2ND FLOOR

TRANSFER SERVICE 3

TRANSFER SERVICE 2

Border control

CHECK YOUR GATE and departure time on the airport monitors. All Finnair and Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra) departures are located in the same terminal. If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, please contact the transfer service desks in T2.

31x 31 31a-e 30

SCHENGEN AREA

Border control

Security check

29

1ST FLOOR

28

T2

CHECK-IN 240–270

27 GATE

11

CHECK IN 101–114 GATE AREA

12

Security check

TRANSFER SERVICE 1

25

Security check

13

14

15

16 17 18 19

20

21

22

23

PHARMACY

T1

TOURIST INFO BAGGAGE STORAGE

HE L SI NKI AI R POR T has 35 automated border control gates for travellers flying to or from destinations outside of the Schengen area. Fifteen are located in the departure hall; 15 are located in the upstairs arrival hall; another five are available in the downstairs arrival hall (for EU/EEA/CH citizens only).

Passengers from the EU, EEA, CH, Japan, and South Korea with biometric passports can use the automated border control gates. Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and U.S. citizens with biometric passports may use the automated border control upon departure only. All other nationalities must use the manned border control booths in the departure and arrival halls.

Those passengers travelling with infants, baggage trolleys, or wheelchairs must use the manual control lane.

26

FINNAIR CHECK IN/ SERVICE DESKS 201–229

2ND FLOOR

HAPPY LANDINGS

GROUND FLOOR

FINNAIR LOUNGE

24

THE FI NNAI R CI TY BUS

to the Helsinki Railway Station leaves from T2 every 20 minutes, stopping also at T1. Travel time is approx. 30 minutes. €6.30

3RD FLOOR

THE R I NG RAI L L I N E

connects Helsinki Airport to downtown Helsinki via train.

There is direct access from the corridor between T1 and T2.

1ST FLOOR

WIRE L E SS I N T ER N ET

PL AY R O O M

NON- SMOKI NG

Helsinki Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

Children’s playrooms offer toys, videos, and baby care facilities.

Smoking is prohibited outside of designated smoking rooms.

94 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

World of Finnair The Nordic way

Fly the short northern route FLY VIA HELSINKI and take the most direct route between Europe and Asia.

Thanks to Helsinki’s location, Finnair’s northern route is a geographically convenient way between Europe and Asia. The northern route also offers competitive travel times to destinations in the US from many European cities.

The Helsinki Airport is efficient, compact, and easy to navigate, making it ideal for transferring between Europe, Asia, and the US with short transfer times.

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 95

World of Finnair

Domestic and European destinations

Tromsø Reykjavik

Russia

From Helsinki

Ivalo

Iceland Kittilä Rovaniemi Kemi Oulu

Finnair Destinations New Finnair Destinations 2018

Norway Oslo Bergen

Saint Petersburg Tallinn Tartu Estonia Latvia Riga

Stockholm Visby

Denmark Billund

Dublin Ireland

Manchester

Gdansk

Amsterdam Poland Hannover Berlin Netherlands Warsaw Brussels Germany Düsseldorf Belgium Kraków Prague Frankfurt Czech Republic Paris Stuttgart Vienna Salzburg Munich Zurich France Geneva Innsbruck Austria Budapest Hungary Switzerland Slovenia Venice Ljubljana Lyon Milan Croatia Biarritz Verona Pula Rimini Nice Pisa Split Italy Dubrovnik Rome Barcelona London

Spain

Portugal

Madrid

Lisbon Malaga

Ibiza Menorca Palma de Alicante Mallorca

Ivalo 931 01:35 Joensuu 360 01:00 Jyväskylä 235 00:50 Kajaani 464 01:20 Kemi/Tornio 609 01:35 Kittilä 823 01:25 Kokkola/Pietarsaari 391 01:10 Kuopio 335 01:00 Kuusamo 667 01:15 Mariehamn 282 00:55 Oulu 514 01:05 Rovaniemi 697 01:20 Tampere 143 00:35 Turku 150 00:35 Vaasa 348 00:55

Lithuania

Copenhagen Hamburg

United Kingdom

Kajaani

Finland Kokkola Kuopio Joensuu Sweden Vaasa Jyväskylä Tampere Turku Helsinki Mariehamn

Gothenburg

Edinburgh

Kuusamo

Moscow

Belarus

Varna

Bulgaria

Greece Skiathos Mytilene Preveza Athens Kos Zakynthos Santorini

Turkey

Antalya Dalaman Alanya Cyprus Rhodes

Malta

Chania

Heraklion

Canary Arrecife Islands Tenerife Norte Fuerteventura Tenerife Sur Las Palmas

Alanya/Gazipasa 2722 03:45 Alicante 3034 04:25 Amsterdam 1525 02:35 Antalya 2638 03:50 Arrecife 4518 05:55 Athens 2490 03:40 Barcelona 2632 03:55 Bergen 1112 03:30 Berlin 1123 02:00 Biarritz 2581 03:45 Billund 1060 01:50 Brussels 1651 02:40 Budapest 1481 02:20 Catania 2636 03:45 Chania 2756 03:50 Copenhagen 895 01:40 Corfu 2329 03:25 Dalaman 2639 03:40 Dublin 2030 03:10 Dubrovnik 2027 03:00 Düsseldorf 1512 02:25 Edinburgh 1717 02:40 Eilat 3457 04:45

Samara

Corfu

Madeira Funchal

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Yekateringburg Kazan

Minsk

Naples

Catania

From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Paphos Israel Tel Aviv-Yafo

Eilat From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Frankfurt 1543 02:35 Fuerteventura 4578 06:05 Funchal 4310 05:45 Gdansk 768 02:00 Geneva 1994 03:00 Gothenburg 785 01:25 Hamburg 1 172 02:00 Hannover 1278 2:15 Heraklion 2777 03:55 Ibiza 2897 04:00 Innsbruck 1701 02:35 Kazan 1521 02:30 Kos 2620 03:45 Kraków 1 186 02:00 Las Palmas 4700 06:10 Lisbon 3369 04:50 Ljubljana 1713 02:40 London 1863 03:10 Lyon 2081 03:10 Madrid 2950 04:25 Malaga 3357 04:35 Malta 2822 04:15 Manchester 1817 03:00

96 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Menorca 2688 04:05 Milan 1953 03:05 Minsk 734 01:15 Moscow 876 01:40 Munich 1577 02:30 Mytilene 1471 03:35 Naples 2283 03:25 Nice 2202 03:25 Oslo 766 01:30 Palma de Mallorca 2777 04:00 Paphos 2898 04:00 Paris 1900 03:05 Pisa 2093 03:20 Prague 1322 02:10 Preveza 2397 03:25 Pula 1865 02:55 Reykjavik 2429 03:50 Rhodes 2668 03:45 Riga 382 00:55 Rimini 1993 03:00 Rome 2235 03:25 Saint Petersburg 301 01:00 Salzburg 1592 02:30

From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Samara 1698 02:35 Santorini 2660 03:40 Skiathos 2353 03:30 Split 1956 02:55 Stockholm 400 01:00 Stuttgart 1637 02:45 Tallinn 101 00:30 Tartu 245 00:50 Tel Aviv-Yafo 3230 04:25 Tenerife Norte 4691 06:10 Tenerife Sur 4745 06:10 Tromsø 1078 01:55 Varna 1911 02:55 Venice 1847 02:55 Verona 1903 02:55 Vienna 1462 02:30 Vilnius 633 01:15 Visby 481 01:25 Warsaw 940 01:40 Yekaterinburg 2098 03:05 Zakynthos 2526 03:55 Zurich 1781 02:45

Winter season 2018–2019 Finnair adds flights to popular winter destinations in Lapland, including new non-stop flights from London, Paris, Tallinn, and Zurich London Gatwick – Ivalo 2 weekly flights London Gatwick – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Paris – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Tallinn – Kittilä 1 weekly flight Zurich – Kittilä 1 weekly flight

World of Finnair

Intercontinental destinations

Beijing Seoul South Korea

Xian

China

Nanjing

Nagoya Osaka

Japan Tokyo

Fukuoka

Shanghai

Chongqing Delhi Dubai United Arab Emirates

Guangzhou

India

Hong Kong

Thailand Bangkok

Goa

Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Phuket

Krabi

Singapore

Chicago San Francisco

From Helsinki

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Bangkok 7912 09:45 Beijing 6325 07:55 Chongqing 6736 08:40 Delhi 5229 06:50 Dubai 4537 05:55 Fukuoka 8060 09:30 Goa 6328 08:50 Guangzhou 7693 09:30 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 8510 10:50 Hong Kong 7821 09:35 Krabi 8350 10:20 Nagoya 7780 09:40 Nanjing 7165 09:35 Osaka 7751 09:30 Phuket 8312 10:05 Seoul 7050 08:40 Shanghai 7410 09:05 Singapore 9272 11:30 Tokyo 7849 09:45 Xian 6421 07:50

New York

United States From Helsinki

Chicago Havana Miami New York Puerto Plata Puerto Vallarta San Francisco

Miami Mexico Puerto Vallarta

Great Circle Estimated distances / km flight times

Havana

7139 09:15 8703 11:15 8342 11:10 6626 08:45 8410 11:15 9960 12:30 8724 10:45

Cuba Puerto Plata Dominic Republic

SEPTEMBER 2018 BLUE WINGS 97

FINLAND FACTS Nature

188,000 lakes

75%

land covered by forests

Government

1917

Sovereign parliamentary republic

1995 area

390,908 km2*

Monthly avg. temperatures in Helsinki (2017):

Member of EU since January 1995

200 members

elected for four-year terms

Parliament *includes water area

whooper swan

land used for agriculture

Population

5.5

million

Languages SÁ

President

SE

Economy

Education

GDP

(2017*)

€224

FI

billion

the annual change in volume 2.8% *preliminary

88% speak Finnish 5.2% speak Swedish 0.04% speak Sámi

elected every six years; current president is Sauli N ­ iinistö, who was re-elected to a second term in January 2018

Currency

EURO

Fun facts

71%

15

Universities *incl National Defence University

of students have ­studied beyond basic ­education

25

Universities of applied sciences

Consumption of coffee per capita

9.6kg*

12.3 l*

*per year

National food: rye bread

Ice cream consumed per capita *per year

98 BLUE WINGS SEPTEMBER 2018

2,000,000* saunas *estimate

(June 2018)

*preliminary

590,000*

overnight stays by foreign travellers

SOURCE: STATISTICS FINLAND ILLUSTRATION: ANGELINA LUZHINA

7%

National bird

WE HAVE IT IN CHECK At Hästens, we have been crafting better sleep since 1852.

For the past 40 years, our blue-and-white check has been the hallmark of the high quality we offer. This instantly recognisable pattern acts as a guarantee that your bed is an authentic Hästens, exclusively created using premium structures and materials. You can choose your checked fabric from a range of one or two-tone colourways to suit your own style.

HÄSTENS STORE HELSINKI Mannerheimintie 8, 00100 Helsinki, Finland. Tel: +358 (0)20 780 1370