Finavia and Helsinki Airport have decided to do something extraordinary, which has created a transition not just across borders, but straight into traditional and cultural happiness. They have created a “Runway Sauna”, and in doing so have created a world first.
If you want to relax in a truly Finnish way, head to a sauna — and with Helsinki easily accessible, your Finnish experience is closer than you think.
“Most airports have transit zones – some even have saunas. But only Helsinki Airport can offer a transit to Finnish happiness. It is the touchpoint to tune into the rhythm, values and mindset of Finland. Your story can go anywhere from here. To showcase this short transition, we built the world’s first runway sauna at Helsinki Airport,” said Anna Tuomi, Finavia’s Head of Marketing.
Experiencing a sauna is a perfect way to start a holiday in Helsinki and embark on a journey to happiness, as it is renowned for its ability to soothe and relax tired muscles, relieve mental fatigue, and reduce stress.
Helsinki Airport is an ideal location for a runway sauna, as it has been nominated the best airport in Europe seven times within the past eight years. The airport is more than a destination or transition point; it is a melting pot of diversity and a gateway to Finnish design, as well as local values of trust and equity.
Saunas, which are an integral part of Finnish culture, are created to please and are a common feature in Finland. As mentioned, there are more than three million saunas in the country, equating to at least one sauna for every three people.
“Finland is known as the world’s happiest country, and the timeless tradition of sauna is at the heart of Finnish culture. At Finavia, we’ve brought these elements together to celebrate Finnish happiness,” says Tuomi.
The world’s first runway sauna was open for one day in June 2025.
The Fastest Route to an Authentic Finnish Sauna
• The word “sauna” is perhaps the only Finnish word which has spread around the world without being translated into other languages.
• For example, it only takes approximately three hours from London and two hours from Berlin to land in Helsinki to experience the local sauna culture.
• There are three saunas right at the Helsinki Airport terminal, and even more waiting for you in nearby hotels and around the airport area. From the airport, it’s only a short trip to explore the wide variety of saunas located across the Helsinki metropolitan area.
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