Finnair is recruiting cabin crew for its Hong Kong base through crew management agency AAP Aviation, with applications for a 2026 intake now open. Cabin crew based in Hong Kong will be flying long-haul routes for the Finnish flag carrier, primarily between Hong Kong and Helsinki.
AAP Aviation manages Finnair’s cabin crew across three Asian bases: The Hong Kong and Singapore bases have been in operation since 2015, with the Delhi base following in 2019. Finnair has been committed to its Hong Kong operation for over a decade, and this recruitment drive is part of an ongoing expansion of local crew numbers rather than a one-off hire.
Finnair’s business model is built on its Helsinki hub acting as one of the fastest transit points between Europe and Asia. The airline has faced some difficulties in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace, but flights between Helsinki and Hong Kong remain popular.
Insight: We covered Finnair’s first Hong Kong cabin crew recruitment drive back in 2017, when the airline was expanding at the same moment British Airways was closing its own Hong Kong international base. Eight years later, Finnair’s HK operation is well established, and this intake reflects genuine confidence in the base rather than an exploratory step. For candidates in Hong Kong who want European long-haul flying without relocating, this is one of the very few options that makes that possible.
The Role and What You Will Be Based
Hong Kong is a genuinely demanding base city for a long-haul crew role: the city itself is fast-paced, internationally connected, and culturally rich, but it is also one of the more expensive cities in the world and comes with specific right-to-work requirements that make this role inaccessible to many candidates who might otherwise be interested. More on that in the requirements section.
The flying itself is Finnair’s long-haul network, primarily between Hong Kong and Helsinki with onward European connections. Initial training takes place at the Finnair Flight Academy in Vantaa, Finland, which is close to Helsinki Airport. That means successful candidates will spend their initial training period in Finland before returning to the Hong Kong base to operate.
AAP Aviation has managed Finnair’s Asian crew bases for over a decade and handles the recruitment, employment, and day-to-day crew management on Finnair’s behalf. Your employer in practice is AAP Aviation; your airline in practice is Finnair.
What’s the Package?
Finnair and AAP Aviation haven’t published specific salary figures for the Hong Kong base publicly in this recruitment round. But this is what is confirmed:
- Training: There is no separate compensation during the training period, which lasts eight weeks.
- Location: Based in Hong Kong, flying Finnair’s long-haul network
- Employer: AAP Aviation on behalf of Finnair
Worth knowing: The absence of training pay during initial training is worth factoring into your financial planning before you apply. You will need to cover your living costs during that period. The training itself is free, and Finnair will provide accommodation and food.
What Does Finnair Look For?
Previous cabin crew experience is preferred but not strictly required. Candidates with experience in international service or the health sector are specifically noted as having an advantage. This is a more selective role than a standard entry-level open day, and the preference for prior experience is genuine rather than a formality.
Hard requirements:
- Age: Minimum 20 years old
- Right to work: Must have the right to leave and work in Hong Kong on a full-time permanent basis (Finnair cannot sponsor candidates)
- Education: HKCEE with a minimum Grade E in five subjects, including Level 2 or above in English and Chinese Language, or HKDSE equivalent
- Height and reach: Minimum 162 cm, able to reach 218 cm barefoot
- Vision: Distant visual acuity of 0.7 or better in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses; normal colour vision and normal hearing
- Health: Good general health meeting EASA Part Med Cabin Crew and Finnair regulations; long-term conditions requiring continuous medication are generally not compatible with this requirement
- Swimming: Must be able to swim 50 metres continuously unassisted
- Language: Proficiency in written and spoken English required; proficiency in Cantonese or Mandarin required; any European language is an additional advantage
- Appearance: No visible tattoos, piercings, or dental jewellery
- Drug testing: Candidates selected for training will be drug tested before clearance
The right-to-work requirement is the most important filter for most candidates reading this. Finnair cannot and will not sponsor visa applications for this role. If you do not already have a permanent right to work in Hong Kong, this role is not available to you, regardless of how well you meet the other criteria.
How to Apply
- Apply directly through the AAP Aviation careers portal at jobs.aapaviation.com
- There is no fixed closing date published, so apply promptly
- Shortlisted candidates will progress to an assessment day, including an interview and group assignments
- Successful candidates are invited to training at Finnair Flight Academy in Finland, lasting eight weeks.
- On completion of training, crew are assigned to the Hong Kong base
Prepare your application now by reading our extensive guides:
