Finnair is the flag carrier of Finland, with headquarters in Helsinki Airport, its hub. Its major shareholder is the government of Finland, which owns 55.9% of its shares. Founded in 1923, Finnair is the sixth oldest airline in continuous operation and is consistently listed as one of the safest in the world. The company's slogans are Designed for you and The Nordic Way. In 1961, Finnair joined the jet age by adding Rolls-Royce Avon-engined Caravelles to its fleet. In 1964, these were exchanged with the manufacturer for Pratt & Whitney JT8D-engined Super Caravelles. By 1967, 95% of the company’s scheduled flights were operated with jets. Finnair became the company's official name on 25 June 1968. In 1969, it took possession of its first U.S. made jet, a Douglas DC-8/62CF. The first transatlantic service to New York was inaugurated on 15 May 1969. In the 1960s, Finnair's head office was in Helsinki.
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