Blue1 is a Finnish airline that is part of the SAS Group, having been purchased by the group in 1998. The airline was founded in 1987 and is based at Helsinki Vantaa Airport in Finland. Cheap flights from Blue1 operate over a regional network that cover locations in Finland, Sweden and Denmark and feeds into the wider Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) network. It was the first regional airline to become a member of the Star Alliance, when it joined in November 2004.

In 2006 several new routes for Blue1 flights were opened up outside of its Scandinavian network and the airline began to cover 11 European destinations including the UK. Blue1 flights from the UK depart twice daily from London Heathrow Airport to Helsinki. Blue1 flights operate with a fleet of 13 aircraft covering a total of 24 destinations and carrying around 1.5 million passengers per year.

Check-In
You can check-in online up to 22 hours before the flight, by text message if you provide a mobile number when you book, or at the airport 60 minutes before departure.

Baggage
Hand luggage allowance on Blue1 flights is one bag per person with a maximum weight of 8kg and dimensions no greater than 55 x40 x23cm. Checked baggage allowance is 30kg in both Business and Economy Extra on intercontinental routes and 20kg in standard Economy.

Seating
Seat pitch on Blue1 flights in Economy Class is 32 inches. In Business Class the seat pitch is 70 inches.

Frequent Flyer Programme
As part of the SAS Group the frequent flyer programme for Blue1 flights is EuroBonus. The benefits include Business Class check-in, extra baggage allowance and frequent flyer miles.

Additional Information
Blue1information sources have announced that the airline is expanding its fleet with the purchase of several new Boeing 717-200s. The Boeing 717 is considered one of the top short to mid range aircraft, capable of carrying up to 120 passengers. The first Blue1 flights on the new aircraft will begin in autumn 2010.