Asia has several fifth-freedom flights with multiple airlines using Bangkok, Singapore & Hong Kong to launch them. Now, Finnair has joined this league. This is Finnair’s 1st Asia Fifth Freedom Flight between Bangkok and Melbourne with the flight originating from Helsinki.
Finnair 1st Asia Fifth Freedom Flight
Finnair’s 1st Asia fifth-freedom flight will operate starting 25th October 2026 from Helsinki.
Service Information (Aircraft & Time)
The Finnair fifth freedom flight will be on an A350, which is a great option.
As per information available on the Melbourne Airport website, the flight will start from Helsinki after midnight, stopping in Bangkok at 4:30pm and landing in Melbourne at 7:15 am. And depart from Melbourne every day at 3:40 pm, arriving in Bangkok at 8:50 pm, then in Helsinki at 6:05 am the next day.
Fact: Existing codeshare with JetStar
At present, Finnair use code AY 6423 on flight JQ 30, which Jet Star operates.
Bangkok Fifth Freedom Flights
Bangkok already has several fifth-freedom flights, mostly within Asia, but none to Australia. Usually, Airlines use Singapore as a fifth-freedom hub to operate flights to Australia, and this is the first for Bangkok.
Excited
Bangkok is connected to four cities in Australia, where Jet Star flies to three, except Sydney; Thai Airways flies to three, except Brisbane; and Qantas flies only to Sydney. But some airlines, like Turkish Airlines and British Airways, also fly to Australia via Singapore. So, this route may not have an edge, but can be a good connectivity option for many travellers.
I travelled from Bangkok to Melbourne on Thai Airways Business Class, and I am excited to fly this route again. Also, Finnair have better award availability, and we can book it using Avios, which is one of the easiest miles to earn.
How many Avios for the BKK-MEL Finnair fifth freedom flight?
Finnair uses a region-based award chart, and the mileage requirement for Bangkok-Melbourne has been updated: it will cost only 62,500 Avios for a business-class flight.
Since Finnair will use its A350, we also have the option of premium economy, which I flew two years back; the only downside then was no separate check-in.
Bottomline
Finnair’s 1st Asia Fifth Freedom Flight between Bangkok & Melbourne will operate from 25th October 2026 using an A350.
