Finnair and Japan Airlines have expanded their codeshare to offer increased connectivity to travellers between Europe and Japan. The enhanced agreement now enables Finnair to place its flight numbers on Japan Airlines-operated flights from Frankfurt to Tokyo Narita, for flights starting January 1, 2017.

With the new codeshare, travellers will be able to transit in Europe via Frankfurt in one direction and via Helsinki in the opposite direction. The two airlines currently operate a joint business agreement covering 24 weekly services between Helsinki and destinations in Japan, along with sharing revenue on all direct flights operated by both airlines between Japan and Europe.

“We are delighted to further strengthen our relationship between Finnair and Japan Airlines and to offer our customers more choice when travelling between Europe and Japan,” said Philip Lewin, Finnair’s head of partnerships and alliances.

Members of Finnair’s loyalty programme, Finnair Plus, are able redeem points on Japan Airlines-operated flights carrying the Finnish airline’s AY codes. The new codeshare flights are currently available for booking.

For Japan Airlines, the new codeshare offers improved options for international travellers flying on the Japanese carrier – a demographic the airline is increasingly looking to attract.

In November, the airline launched a new “Explore Japan” website supported in multiple languages, aimed at attracting international visitors to the country’s lesser-known areas and offering a more integrated end-to-end booking experience. Meanwhile in September, Japan Airlines began codesharing with Spanish carrier Iberia on flights between Madrid and Tokyo.

finnair.com; jal.com