Helsinki Airport built the world’s first runway sauna

Finland is famous for its saunas—there are more than 3 million in the country, meaning there’s roughly one sauna for every three people. Helsinki Airport built the world’s very first runway-style sauna in an effort to pay homage the sauna culture of Finland.

Finavia manages several airport hubs across the country, including Helsinki Airport. The sauna was placed close to the runway in order for travelers to see it immediately upon landing. The sauna was located close to the runway so that it could be seen as soon as travelers touched down. sauna The runway was only open for a day, and it wasn’t meant to be used. (Scrambling to get to your sauna appointment is the opposite of relaxing.) Instead, the idea was to use the runway as a way to celebrate Finland’s love for saunas.

“Most airports have transit zones—some even have saunas,” said Anna Tuomi, Finavia’s head of marketing, in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. It is the perfect place to get a feel for the Finnish rhythm, values and mentality. You can take your story anywhere. We built the world’s very first runway Sauna at Helsinki Airport to showcase this short transition.”

Helsinki Airport has three saunas, and most are located in lounges. Three saunas are available in the main terminal, with most of them located within the lounges. Finnair Platinum Wing LoungeNear Gate 52. You can find many others in nearby hotels. For example, the Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport is just five minutes away.

Even if you choose not to visit the sauna, you will still have a great time. Helsinki Airport consistently ranks among the top airports in the world. one of the best airports in Europe SkyTrax, the airline and airport reviews site.

Finland has been ranked as the “happiest country on earth” for the eighth year in a row by the Gallup world happiness report. This report is produced annually in partnership between Gallup, Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre and the United Nations. The runway sauna was designed to be a subliminal reference to Finland’s reputation for happiness and to give travelers a preview of what awaits them outside the airport doors. Finland’s Sauna Culture was actually added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2020

Tuomi, in a press release, said that Finland is the world’s happiest nation and the sauna tradition has been a part of Finnish culture for centuries. “We’ve brought together these elements to celebrate Finnish Happiness.”