In conjunction with Finland’s upcoming centennial anniversary, Finnair is launching three new food collaborations for its onboard meals. The collaborations, which intend to promote Finland’s healthy and hearty food culture, are done in cooperation with the ELO Foundation, an association dedicated to the promotion of Finnish food culture.

Business class for long-haul flights leaving Helsinki

For business class customers flying out of Helsinki on long-haul flights between October 4 and January 9, Finnair’s Signature Menu chef, Eero Vottonen, has put together an exclusive 100 years-themed menu to celebrate the culinary nuances of Finnish food. The menu features delicacies such as Baltic herring, a Karelian stew and a cep mushroom soup flavored with cured elk. Vottonen, supported by the ELO foundation, finished sixth out of twenty-four participants at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France last January.

“When creating Finnair’s centennial menu, I reflected on what Finland and its food culture represent for me,” says Eero Vottonen. “It’s a big honor for me to collaborate with Finnair on this initiative and I’m excited to have the opportunity to introduce the tastes of Finland to thousands of passengers travelling through Finland with Finnair.”

Business class for long-haul flights to Helsinki

For business class customers flying to Helsinki on most long-haul flights between October 4 and January 9, Finnair will offer elements inspired by the Finland 100 years menu which was specially designed by the ELO Foundation to commemorate Finland’s centennial anniversary. The Finland 100 years menu served on Finnair’s flights will feature elements such as pickled salmon, rainbow trout and a Karelian stew with beef and pork. Variations of the ELO Foundation’s 100 years menu will also be served at Finnish embassies around the world to commemorate Finland’s centennial celebration.

Economy class for long-haul flights

For economy class customers on long-haul flights from July 5 to January 9, Finnair has partnered with the ELO Foundation and the Cygnaeus elementary school in Turku to create meals promoting Finland’s healthy and tasty school meals. Finland is world-renowned for its excellent school system, which also includes a free school meal for all children from grades one to nine, as well as for students in high schools and trade schools.

The meals were selected by students from the Cygnaeus school in Turku during a workshop at Finnair’s catering premises, and tailored to fit the aircraft environment. The meals selected by the students include traditional Finnish favorites such as potatoes and meatballs as well as macaroni and meat casserole.

“Our main objective in partnering with the ELO Foundation on these great initiatives is to help promote Finland’s healthy and delicious food culture to hundreds of thousands of international passengers flying with us this year,” says Maarit Keränen, Head of in-flight service at Finnair. “For example, healthy and balanced school meals are an essential element of the well-recognized Finnish school system, and we are proud to highlight these tasty meals as part of our in-cabin service.”

“We are extremely proud to take part in these collaboration initiatives with Finnair and to promote Finnish school meals in Finland and abroad,” says Seija Kurunmäki, Executive Director of the ELO Foundation. “Finland was the first country in the world to serve free school meals in 1943. Gradually, school meals in Finland have become more varied and are today part of a holistic pedagogic tool which extends far beyond the school lunch.”

Finnair will also celebrate Finland’s 100 years by offering rye bread and Karelian pies during the meal service onboard its long-haul flights. Both items were in the top 3 when nearly 50 000 Finns voted in a public call to find Finland’s national food as a tribute to the country’s centennial anniversary.