Are tired, washed-out airline interiors bringing you down? Not only depressing, they are uneasy reminders of just how old that plane actually is. Seeking to enhance client experience through upbeat color and design, two Finnish companies have joined together for a new three-year collaboration. Beginning spring 2013, Finnair will redo the look of its entire fleet with the classic designs of Marimekko.
A pioneer in sustainable flight and Finland’s largest carrier, Finnair also knows the importance of a good-looking ride. Its CEO, Mika Vehviläinen, says, “Finnair has a strong design heritage, and this cooperation brings our design thinking to a new level. Our goal is to become a design airline, and bring our customers unique experiences for all five senses.” This pairing is a match made in heaven, or at least the friendly skies, because Marimekko is known for its bold, colorful patterns and prints. Founded in 1951, this Finnish textile and furniture company designs and manufactures high-quality household goods with products sold in 40 countries.
Finnair’s entire fleet will be outfitted in the Marimekko for Finnair collection, which includes textiles, tableware, and for two flights – uniforms. The companies’ vision is to create a ‘light’ and ‘fresh’ appearance which will translate into an improved passenger experience. One Finnair airbus already features the upbeat floral pattern originally introduced by Maija Isola in 1964. Poppies in yellow and Finnish blue are cheerfully displayed on its body.
With this venture, Finnair and Marimekko are hopeful that their awareness in Asian countries, especially rapidly growing China, will increase. Vehviläinen adds “Both of these brands are about bringing positivity, high quality and peace of mind to customers. We believe this collaboration will help generate new experiences and lasting, positive memories for a whole new generation of Finnair passengers in Asia.”
For world-weary travellers, Marimekko’s visually stimulating green will refresh the senses and help ease the monotony and stress of a lengthy flight. Mika Ihamuotila, Marimekko CEO, says “Finnair is a natural partner for Marimekko, as in my opinion it has been the first airline in the world to lift up design and place it strongly at the center of its service. With our collaboration we want to show how design can help improve the well-being of people in different moments of life.” And not only are the designs nice to look at, they also lighten the airline’s carbon footprint. An exclusive selection of Marimekko products are available in-flight and in the Finnair Plus Shop.
Finnair is the only Nordic carrier with a four star Skytrax ranking and has won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past three consecutive years. Enjoy trips between 11 Asian cities and 50 European destinations with airline interiors so beautiful you might not want to spend it with your eyes closed.