Finnair - Sky Wheel

Finnair - Sky Wheel

Ferris wheels have been chosen by several airlines as a fitting venue for marketing initiatives. For example, Brussels Airlines in the summer of 2012 gave visitors of the annual Tomorrowland festival in Belgium a free ride in the Tomorrowland ferris wheel, while Air France did the same at Montreal’s ‘En Lummiere’ festival. On a related note, Emirates has its name linked to the high-profile ‘Emirates Air Line’ cable car that crosses the Thames in London.

In Helsinki, Finnair this summer has partnered with the new Skywheel Helsinki to rename the ferris wheel to Finnair Skywheel . The 40-meter high ferris wheel opened in early June in Katajanokka harbour in central Helsinki, not far from where Finnair first based its flight operations in the 1920s.

The observation wheel is equipped with 30 climate-controlled blue-and-white gondolas for year-round operation, including a four-person VIP cabin featuring a glass floor, leather seats and Veuve Clicquot champagne service (fare: €195). One trip on the Finnair SkyWheel lasts 15 minutes, while a ride in the VIP cabin takes 25 minutes.

Says Finnair’s marketing director Jarkko Konttinen,

We are proud to be associated with Helsinki’s newest landmark, which also has a special connection to our own history. The ferris wheel is a prominent and internationally notable Helsinki landmark that includes an aviation element. This is why we as an airline wish to be seen with it.

Finnair Plus members receive a 25 percent discount on the €12 fare and on 8 June the airline organised an event where all Finnair Plus members could ride the ferris wheel for free.