In 1981, Finnair opened routes to Seattle and Los Angeles. Finnair became the first operator to fly non-stop from Western Europe to Japan, operating Helsinki–Tokyo flights with a modified McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30ER in April 1983. Until then, flights had to go via Moscow (Aeroflot, SAS, BA) or Anchorage (most carriers)Flying over not so friendly countries [Archive] – PPRuNe Forums. Pprune.org (1967-11-04). Retrieved on 2010-11-03. due to Soviet airspace restrictions, but Finnair circumvented these by flying directly north from Helsinki, over the North Pole and back south through the Bering Strait, avoiding Soviet airspace.1986 | 2900 | Flight Archive. Flightglobal.com (1986-10-25). Retrieved on 2010-11-03. However, Finnair did not have to make a roundabout because of the Soviet regulation on this route, but the Japanese authorities demanded it (as JAL requested strongly). The aircraft was fitted with extra fuel tanks, taking 13 hours for the trip. The routes through Soviet airspace and with a stopover in Moscow also took 13 hours, but flights with a stopover in Anchorage took up to 16 hours, giving Finnair a competitive edge. In the spring of 1986, Soviet regulators finally cleared the way for Air France and Japan Airlines to fly nonstop Paris-Tokyo services over Soviet airspace, putting Finnair at a disadvantage.1986 | 0806 | Flight Archive. Flightglobal.com (1986-04-05). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.
In 1981, Finnair opened routes to Seattle and Los Angeles. Finnair became the first operator to fly non-stop from Western Europe to Japan, operating Helsinki–Tokyo flights with a modified McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30ER in April 1983. Until then, flights had to go via Moscow (Aeroflot, SAS, BA) or Anchorage (most carriers)Flying over not so friendly countries [Archive] – PPRuNe Forums. Pprune.org (1967-11-04). Retrieved on 2010-11-03. due to Soviet airspace restrictions, but Finnair circumvented these by f!lying directly north from Helsinki, over the North Pole and back south through the Bering Strait, avoiding Soviet airspace.1986 | 2900 | Flight Archive. Flightglobal.com (1986-10-25). Retrieved on 2010-11-03. However, Finnair did not have to make a roundabout because of the Soviet regulation on this route, but the Japanese authorities demanded it (as JAL requested strongly). The aircraft was fitted with extra fuel tanks, taking 13 hours for the trip. The routes through Soviet airspace and with a stopover in Moscow also took 13 hours, but flights with a stopover in Anchorage took up to 16 hours, giving Finnair a competitive edge. In the spring of 1986, Soviet regulators, finally cleared the way for Air France and Japan A?irlines to fly nons:top Paris-Tokyo services over Soviet airspace, putting Finnair at a disadvantage.1986 | 0806 | Flight Archive. Flightglobal.com (1986-04-05). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.