The world’s first runway sauna opened for just one day this month at Helsinki Airport in Finland. In a country with more than 3 million saunas, this runway sauna may just be another in the country, but it served as a symbol of Finnish happiness and wellbeing.

The temporary sauna was placed near the runway and, although not for passenger use, was constructed to showcase Finnish sauna culture in a fun and engaging campaign. The small wooden structure was conceived by Finavia, the Finish airport management company, and put near one of the airport’s runways to serve as a contrast between the coldness of air travel and the warmth and coziness of Finish sauna culture.

© Finavia Corporation

“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, head of marketing, Finavia.

While this sauna may no longer exist, fear not: Helsinki Airport boasts a permanent sauna within one of its lounges. In Finnair’s Platinum Wing Lounge, you’ll find a traditional, wood-burning Finnish sauna alongside private shower suites, open to all top-tier Finnair and oneworld elite members.

And while Finnair has yet to create an in-flight sauna (even though the airline did concoct an April Fool’s Day prank this year teasing the public with the concept), the airline’s lounge sauna starts travelers’ journey into the world of sauna culture across Finland before even leaving the airport.