(DOHA) Finnair has expanded its codeshare with Qatar Airways to cover four Saudi Arabian cities, a move that took effect gradually from mid-August and is fully active as of August 27, 2025. The arrangement lets travelers book Finnair-marketed seats on Qatar Airways flights from Doha to Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, and Riyadh, creating one-ticket journeys between Europe and Saudi Arabia with checked-through baggage and coordinated connections in Doha.
No new regulatory hurdles were reported, and alliance benefits apply across the network. The expansion deepens a partnership first formalized in 2022, when the airlines linked Nordic capitals to Doha, and now pushes further into Saudi Arabia at a time when both carriers are recalibrating long-haul strategies.
Strategic context and rationale
- European carriers have had to rethink routings after Russian airspace closures; this codeshare gives Finnair a way to serve Saudi demand without deploying its own aircraft.
- For Qatar Airways, the move grows feed from Europe and strengthens Doha as a connection point.
- The expansion supports both carriers’ long-haul strategies, lets Finnair keep its widebodies busy through partnerships, and reinforces Doha’s hub role under growing regional traffic trends (including Saudi Vision 2030).
Key operational details
- Flights are operated by Qatar Airways under the QR code and are also sold under Finnair’s AY code.
- Customers can book through either airline or trusted travel agents.
- Routes covered:
- Doha – Dammam
- Doha – Jeddah
- Doha – Madinah
- Doha – Riyadh
- Loyalty and elite benefits:
- Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club members earn and redeem Avios on these services.
- Elite travelers retain lounge access and priority privileges according to their tier.
- Recent joint schedule-change rules (set in June 2025) provide flexible rebooking or refunds if plans shift.
Important: The one-ticket (single PNR) feature matters for families and workers who want protection on missed connections and through-checking of baggage and strollers.
Passenger impacts — choice and convenience
- A traveler in Helsinki can now buy a single Finnair ticket to Riyadh via Doha, tag bags to the final destination, and rely on coordinated schedules designed for smooth transfers at Hamad International Airport.
- Single booking records (one PNR) provide:
- Protection against missed connections
- Through-checking of baggage, strollers, and other items
- Consolidated rebooking/assistance in disruptions
Who benefits — practical examples
- Workers: multiple daily options via Doha, often arriving at convenient times for meetings or site visits.
- Students: through-checked baggage and rebooking protections on a single ticket — critical with tight connections.
- Families: better-coordinated connections and shorter ground transfers after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Pilgrims: extra daily choices for Umrah reduce overnight layovers and can lower costs in off-peak weeks.
Travel and visa planning for Europe–Saudi trips via Doha
Before booking, travelers should confirm the visa they need for Saudi Arabia. Many nationalities can apply online for a Saudi tourist eVisa; others may require a business, family visit, or Umrah visa. Visit the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal for current rules, eligible nationalities, and processing steps: https://visa.mofa.gov.sa. Requirements can change, so check close to travel.
- Transit in Doha:
- Typically does not require a Qatar visa if you remain airside and your layover stays within the permitted period.
- If you plan to leave the airport, verify eligibility for visa on arrival or an e-visa based on your nationality.
- Official rules come from Qatar’s authorities; review them before you finalize a stopover hotel.
Some practical document checks:
– Ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity beyond your planned arrival in Saudi Arabia.
– Confirm that your visa type matches your trip purpose (tourism, business, family visit, or Umrah).
– Keep proof of onward or return travel—airlines may request this at check-in.
– For minors, carry consent letters if one parent is absent; border officers can request them.
Health and customs:
– Carry prescription medication in original packaging with a doctor’s note.
– Pilgrims should note seasonal crowd measures and any special entry requirements Saudi authorities set for peak periods.
Ticketing, stopovers, and connection advice
Ticketing strategy tips:
1. Buy both legs on one ticket to improve protection if a delay causes a missed connection in Doha.
2. Check minimum connection times during booking.
3. If traveling with children or needing mobility assistance, choose longer layovers that align with your needs.
4. For Qatar stopovers, review airline stopover hotel offers—but confirm visa/entry requirements before payment.
Service consistency:
– Seat products and inflight services can differ between carriers, but alliance standards and shared customer-care policies aim to reduce gaps.
– Schedule changes follow the joint handling rules for QR/AY codeshare services (introduced June 2025), which can include re-accommodation on the next available flight or refunds if rerouting is not acceptable.
Policy, competition, and industry outlook
- No sign of regulatory pushback; the arrangement aligns with open skies principles and oneworld’s commercial framework.
- Industry watchers expect more competition on Europe–Saudi routes as Saudi Arabia opens its aviation sector and attracts foreign carriers.
- According to VisaVerge.com analysis, added capacity on Europe–Saudi city pairs tends to push fares toward more competitive levels, especially outside holiday peaks.
- Travelers monitoring fares across both airline channels and setting price alerts often secure better deals, particularly two to three months ahead for off-peak travel.
Alliance benefits and loyalty considerations
- The oneworld alliance simplifies earning and spending across programs and coordinates ground services in joint stations like Doha.
- Pooling Avios from Finnair and Qatar Airways can unlock upgrades or award seats for future trips to the same Saudi city or onward to Asia and Africa.
- For frequent travelers, alliance perks (priority check-in/boarding, lounges) remain valuable on these codeshare services.
Warnings and final takeaways
Confirm entry rules before booking nonrefundable extras. Visa categories, permitted activities, and processing times can shift, and visa-on-arrival eligibility varies by nationality. Use official sources and double-check close to departure.
Practical summary:
– The expanded Finnair–Qatar Airways codeshare adds four Saudi gateways under the AY code, active from late August 2025, with Doha as the connection point.
– Benefits include more one-stop choices, alliance-wide perks, and clearer rebooking protections when plans change.
– These changes are useful for workers, students, pilgrims, and families who depend on reliable links between Europe and Saudi Arabia.
This Article in a Nutshell
As of August 27, 2025, Finnair’s codeshare with Qatar Airways covers four Saudi cities, enabling single-ticket bookings on Qatar-operated flights with through-checked baggage, Avios accrual, and updated rebooking protections under June 2025 rules.
