Connections in HEL

[AstroDamo]

I currently have a multi-city booking with Qantas including an AY flight from HEL - SIN then Qantas SIN - SYD. I'm going to be in Oslo the day of the flight and looking at booking a Classic Award on an AY flight from OSL-HEL, only problem is it would mean a 65 minute connection in HEL. Now going to Finnairs website it says I think 40 or 45 minimum connection for Non-European to Asian flights, however it then goes on to mention they have to be on the same booking. And then goes on to mention separate bookings, but surely this only refers to separate bookings on other airlines?

I also tried a dummy booking on Finnair from Oslo to Sydney, it comes up with 10 minute shorter connection in HEL and back via BKK. Just wondering if you guys think there would be any problems if I booking the Classic Award flight and then linked the too.

 

[Alanslegal]

I had a 50 min connection in HEL last year, (AY-AY BCN-xHEL-BKK), which was booked on the one ticket. I managed to do it OK but it sure was tight. You are totally dependent on the time you arrive, plus you have to clear immigration HEL as you are now departing the EU for Asia.

 

[thommo9]

Mind you immigration at that time of night for the flight to SIN is very quiet. IIRC it's the only flight to depart the non-Schengen area of the terminal. Hopefully, you should be through in a matter of minutes.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I currently have a multi-city booking with Qantas including an AY flight from HEL - SIN then Qantas SIN - SYD. I'm going to be in Oslo the day of the flight and looking at booking a Classic Award on an AY flight from OSL-HEL, only problem is it would mean a 65 minute connection in HEL.

Now going to Finnairs website it says I think 40 or 45 minimum connection for Non-European to Asian flights, however it then goes on to mention they have to be on the same booking. And then goes on to mention separate bookings, but surely this only refers to separate bookings on other airlines?

I also tried a dummy booking on Finnair from Oslo to Sydney, it comes up with 10 minute shorter connection in HEL and back via BKK. Just wondering if you guys think there would be any problems if I booking the Classic Award flight and then linked the too.

No, I don't think you'll have a problem.

AY & QF are both in the One World Alliance so just tell AY in OSL you have an onward connection on AY to SIN. If the AY flight HEL/SIN is in the same pnr as the QF flight the latter flight should automatically be added in to your checkin record when they add in the first flight.

 

[RooFlyer]

I caught AY HEL-HKG a couple of weeks back, departing late in the evening. The airport then was very quiet. I think you should be OK.

Here's the airport web site: Helsinki Airport / FINAVIA.

... and a simple plan of the terminal.



What terminal will you arrive into? If T1, then its a pretty long walk round to the non Schengen departure area which is beyond the passport checkpoint near gate 31. Even from where it says 'T2' on the plan above is maybe 10 mins walk to non Schengen gates.


The Finnair lounge for non Schengen isn't too shabby - I posted pics here recently:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/syd-flounge-named-among-worlds-53067-4.html#post903703

As a plat, don't forget to present your BP (status check) at the bar to get the champers!