Finnair modified two Airbus A350 aircraft as space shuttles and adds Mars as a new destination
The Covid-19 pandemic has heavily affected Finnair’s operations and most of the company's destinations currently have travel restrictions. To respond to its customers desire to travel in this difficult situation, Finnair will today begin commercial flights to Mars, a destination that currently does not have any travel restrictions.
To serve its connections to Mars, Finnair has modified two Airbus A350 aircraft in its fleet as space shuttles. The A350 is well suited for extraterrestrial travel thanks to its lightweight composite materials and refined aerodynamics.
“We are delighted to be the first commercial airline on Earth to start flying to Mars. The red planet is an excellent addition to our network,” says Giovanni Torvi, the newly appointed head of Finnair’s space travel department. “It’s great to be able to offer a new, COVID-19 free destination to our customers and invest in innovative growth in these exceptional times.”
Mars, a neighboring planet of Earth, is known for its breathtaking scenery that features craters, deep valleys, dried up riverbeds and sand dunes. Finnair’s customers will be able to explore dust-covered glaciers, spiral polar caps and ancient shorelines.
The atmosphere of Mars consists mainly of carbon dioxide, argon and nitrogen and the average temperature is around −63 °C. The destination is perfectly suited for travellers seeking extreme experiences as well as those who enjoy colder climates.
Finnair cabin crew will wear space suits on the Mars flights, drawing inspiration from the silver uniforms the company introduced in the 60’s. Customers will get to enjoy a special Taste of Finnair space menu created by top chefs. The menu combines the exotic aromas of freeze dried food with the fresh tastes of Finland.
In summer season 2021, Finnair will operate from Helsinki to Mars three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting today. The traffic schedule to Mars is now available on Finnair’s booking engine, finnair.com and travel agency booking systems. One-way tickets are also available.
Tour operator Aurinkomatkat (Sun Tours) will also begin packaged tours to Mars during the summer season. Should Finnish customers show interest in holiday space travel, Sun Tours will consider extending its offering to its warm namesake destination, the Sun.