Traveling internationally with family, especially with young children and older parents can be both exciting and stressful. There are logistics to manage, preferences to consider, and the ever-present concern of how to keep everyone comfortable and happy during long hours of transit. But thanks to the incredible support and service from the Finnair Airlines Zurich Office, our recent family trip to Helsinki and onward to Rovaniemi was not only seamless but truly magical.

We are a family of five: my husband and I, our two children aged 6 and 9, and my 68-year-old mother-in-law. This was our first time flying with Finnair, and we initially had some reservations. We had chosen Finland as our winter holiday destination because of the opportunity to see the Northern Lights and visit Santa Claus Village, something our kids had dreamed about for years. But planning such a trip from Zurich during the busy December season meant we needed assistance beyond simply booking tickets online.

Exceptional Support at the Zurich Office

From the very first call, we felt assured. When I reached out to Finnair Airlines, I was connected with a representative named Nina who completely transformed our expectations. She listened attentively to our travel goals and patiently discussed our various options. We explained that we were hoping for a stress-free itinerary that minimized long layovers, allowed for wheelchair assistance for my mother-in-law, and ensured that the children would have access to kid-friendly meals and in-flight entertainment.

Nina went above and beyond. She spent considerable time finding us the best routing through Helsinki to Rovaniemi, ensuring that the layovers were not too long but long enough to transition comfortably between flights. She helped us understand baggage policies, arranged for seat selections at no extra charge, and even walked us through travel insurance options. What struck me most was how proactive she was—she double-checked that our return flights aligned with our accommodation dates and helped us sign up for Finnair’s loyalty program to start collecting points.

After the booking was completed, we received a perfectly detailed itinerary and a personal follow-up email with all relevant travel documents and tips for families traveling to Finland in winter. This level of support is rare nowadays, and it left us feeling confident and well-prepared.

A Smooth Experience at Zurich Airport

Our experience at Zurich Airport reflected the same level of professionalism and care. Upon check-in, the Finnair staff were ready with all necessary documents and had already arranged priority boarding for our family. The wheelchair assistance for my mother-in-law was already in place, and the ground crew personally walked us through security and to our gate. For our children, who were feeling both excited and nervous, the check-in staff gave Finnair coloring books and stickers, which brought smiles to their faces.

It’s clear that the coordination between the Zurich Office and the airport staff was flawless. We felt valued, seen, and supported every step of the way.

In-Flight Comfort and Kindness

The in-flight experience from Zurich to Helsinki was nothing short of excellent. As soon as we boarded, the crew greeted our children with warmth and helped us settle in. Our seats were grouped exactly as arranged, and the cabin was clean, cozy, and peaceful. What impressed me most was how intuitive the crew were. They noticed when my mother-in-law was feeling a little stiff and discreetly offered her extra pillows and hot water to help with her comfort.

For our kids, Finnair delivered a wonderful experience. The in-flight entertainment system was loaded with age-appropriate movies and games, and the child meals arrived right on time, delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The crew also kept checking in on us throughout the flight, ensuring we had everything we needed.

Even when there was a brief delay due to weather conditions in Helsinki, the crew kept everyone informed and calm. It’s that sense of empathy and professionalism that separates good service from great service.

Transit Through Helsinki and Onward to Lapland

Navigating an international transit hub with kids and a senior family member can be overwhelming, but again, Finnair made it effortless. At Helsinki Airport, a ground crew member was already waiting with a wheelchair for my mother-in-law, and we were guided efficiently through immigration and to our next gate.

The layover was short but comfortable, thanks to the family-friendly amenities at the Finnair lounge. Our children enjoyed the play area, while we relaxed with a warm drink and recharged for the final leg of our journey.

The flight to Rovaniemi was just as smooth and filled with delightful touches. The crew, fully aware of the purpose of our trip, gave the kids “Santa Express” badges and encouraged them to look out the windows for signs of snow-covered forests below. It made the entire experience magical. When we landed in Lapland, our luggage arrived on time, undamaged, and exactly as expected.

The Return Journey and Final Impressions

After an unforgettable week in the Arctic Circle filled with reindeer rides, snow castles, and of course, a visit to Santa Claus, we made our way back to Rovaniemi Airport for our return flights. Once again, the service was seamless. Finnair’s check-in system was fast and efficient, and we faced no issues getting through security or boarding our flights.

What struck us again on the return journey was the consistency of Finnair’s service across locations. Whether it was in Rovaniemi, Helsinki, or Zurich, we were treated with kindness, efficiency, and care.

Even after our journey, the Zurich Office reached out to follow up on our trip. Nina emailed us to ask how the journey had gone and if we had any feedback. This kind of post-travel engagement is rare these days and reinforced that Finnair, particularly the Zurich team, genuinely values its passengers.

Conclusion: A Family Airline We’ll Always Trust

Our experience with Finnair Airlines was beyond exceptional, it was deeply personal, efficient, and caring. Every step of our trip was handled with professionalism and a human touch that is increasingly rare in today’s automated travel world.

We travel often as a family, and we’ve had good and bad experiences with various airlines over the years. But Finnair, thanks to the Zurich Office, has set a new gold standard for what family travel should feel like. From booking support to in-flight care, every interaction was meaningful.

They took what could have been a complicated and stressful trip and turned it into a magical, smooth, and joyful experience. The memories we made in Finland will last a lifetime and so will our appreciation for the people who made it all possible.

We’re incredibly grateful to Finnair Airlines, and we will definitely be flying with Finnair again in the future. They’ve earned our trust, our loyalty, and our heartfelt thanks.