Finnair launches Chicago – a new Avios redemption option – and buys more A350’s

Finnair, a fellow oneworld alliance member alongside British Airways, has announced a new Summer service to Chicago.

Flights will operate from 13th June to 17th October 2015.

Services will operate three days per week (Monday, Thursday, Saturday in both directions) using an Airbus A330.

As well as being a tourist destination in its own right, Chicago is a major American Airlines hub which will allow for a wide range of connections.  As a trade-off for launching this route, Summer services to Hanoi are being dropped.

If you are struggling to find Avios reward seats with British Airways or American Airlines to Chicago next year, this opens up a new option.

Flying to Finland is a bit of a detour, of course!  On the other hand, Helsinki is a lovely city to visit in the Summer months and you could create an interesting two-city holiday with a couple of days in Finland first.  Talinn in Estonia is also easily accessible via ferry.

More Airbus A350’s on the way too

Finnair has also confirmed in recent days that it is extending its order for Airbus A350 aircraft.  The very first Airbus A350 is due to be delivered to Qatar Airways any day now although the timetable has slipped slightly.

Finnair is the European launch customer with 11 aircraft on order, the first of which is due next Autumn.  The additional order will increase the fleet to 19 and allow it to run a consistent – and new – long-haul fleet.

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus:

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.

(Want to earn more Avios?  Click here to visit our home page for our latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios this month from offers and promotions.)