Blue1
Blue1 was a Finnish scheduled airline and former SAS regional carrier, linking Helsinki and other Nordic airports with domestic and European destinations.
About Blue1
Blue1 was founded in Finland in 1987 as Air Botnia and adopted the Blue1 name in 2004. The airline became part of the Scandinavian Airlines System group and operated as a Finnish regional and short-haul carrier under the IATA code KF. SAS later sold the company to Irish regional airline CityJet, and Blue1 ceased operating under its own identity in 2016.
Helsinki was Blue1's primary hub and the largest point in its network, complemented by substantial flying from Stockholm and Copenhagen. Its schedule covered 20 destinations across 9 countries through 52 routes. Finnish domestic services included Oulu, Vaasa, Tampere, Kokkola and Kuopio, while the wider European network included cities such as Frankfurt, Edinburgh, Dubrovnik and Nice.
Blue1 used several aircraft families during its operating history, reflecting changes in network strategy and ownership. Recorded types included ATR 72 turboprops, Saab 2000s, Bombardier CRJ200s, Embraer 170s and 175s, Boeing 717-200s, and Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Cabin layouts and service levels varied by aircraft and period, with short-haul economy seating forming the core product alongside more flexible or enhanced SAS-branded fare options.
Through its relationship with SAS, Blue1 participated in the Star Alliance network for part of its history and offered access to SAS connections beyond its own routes. Its associated frequent-flyer programme was SAS EuroBonus, allowing eligible passengers to earn and redeem points according to the fare and operating arrangements in effect at the time. Historical tickets and points claims remain subject to SAS records and applicable programme rules.
Blue1's main strength was its role in connecting Finnish regional cities with Helsinki and other Scandinavian gateways, where passengers could transfer to broader SAS services. Its varied fleet also allowed it to match smaller regional markets with different aircraft capacities. The principal challenge for travellers today is that Blue1 is defunct, so its former routes, baggage rules and service standards should be treated as historical rather than current booking information.
Good to know
Flying with Blue1 — what to expect
Airline No Longer Operating
Blue1 ceased operating under its own identity in 2016. Current journeys on its former routes must be booked with another operating airline.
Historical Baggage Rules
Blue1's baggage allowances depended on the fare, route and operating period, often following SAS-related conditions. Travellers researching an old booking should consult the ticket receipt rather than apply current SAS rules automatically.
Nordic Connections
Helsinki was the main hub, while Stockholm and Copenhagen were also important departure and connection points. Many services were designed to feed the wider SAS network.
Mixed Aircraft Fleet
Blue1 operated regional turboprops, regional jets, Boeing 717s and Airbus narrow-body aircraft over its history. Seat layout and onboard comfort therefore varied considerably by route and period.
EuroBonus Participation
Eligible Blue1 flights could participate in SAS EuroBonus under the rules applicable at the time. Questions about historical points or records should be directed to SAS EuroBonus.
Network overview
Where Blue1 flies
Blue1 operates 52 routes to 20 destinations across 9 countries, its longest sector reaching Helsinki to Nice (2,200 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Blue1 flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Helsinki → Nice
2,200 km · HEL → NCE
The longest sector in the Blue1 network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Blue1
Notable destinations on Blue1's network.
KFHelsinkidirectKFStockholmdirectKFCopenhagendirectKFOuludirectKFVaasadirectKFTamperedirectKFDubrovnikdirectKFEdinburghdirectKFFrankfurtdirectKFKalmardirectKFKokkoladirectKFKuopiodirectDestination list is indicative of Blue1's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Finland
Other airlines based in Finland
FAQ
Blue1 — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Blue1 no longer operates, results may instead show current airlines serving comparable routes.
- Blue1 tickets are no longer sold because the airline ceased operating under its own identity in 2016. For comparable Nordic routes, prices are often lower when booked in advance and outside major holiday periods, although fares vary by carrier and demand.
- Blue1 no longer operates. Its network served Finnish cities including Oulu, Vaasa, Tampere, Kokkola and Kuopio, alongside European destinations such as Stockholm, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Edinburgh and Dubrovnik.
- Blue1's primary hub was Helsinki. Stockholm and Copenhagen were also major departure points within its Nordic network.
- The busiest departure hubs were Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oulu and Vaasa, in that order by number of routes. Helsinki was the airline's principal hub.
- Blue1 served 20 destinations across 9 countries, operating 52 routes. These figures describe its historical network because the airline no longer operates.
- Blue1's longest route was Helsinki to Nice, about 2,200 km nonstop.
- Blue1's historical carry-on allowance varied by fare and operating arrangements, and the airline no longer publishes a current baggage policy. For an old ticket, consult its original conditions; for a new journey on a former Blue1 route, follow the operating carrier's rules.