Finnair Business Class any recent experiences?

[arabella]

Hi there

We have booked a J Class return in June/July 2010 SYD/BKK/HEL/Moscow (sorry, can't remember Moscow abbreviation). I'm not fussed that the Helsinki/Moscow leg is basically economy at the front of the plane, but for the AY flights BKK/HEL and return I would like to know if they have been retooled as completely flat beds, also any comment on the audio/video systems would be welcome. SYD/BKK and back is BA and QF and we all know what to expect there.

Thanks for any recent reports.

Arabella

 

[NM]

AY currently operates their A330-300 aircraft on BKK-HEL and return. These are configured with 42 lie-flat seats (sloping) in business class with 60" pitch.

 

[markis10]

The A340 also operates on the route (AY090) not that the seats are different but not in June, but you do get the snack bar as well. I think you will find the seats are fine, not flat but very comfortable, the inflight systems lack a lot of the choice available elsewhere and the foods is very good.

 

[notzac]

(sorry, can't remember Moscow abbreviation)

Nothing to do with your question - but it would depend on which airport you're arriving in to. The generic airport code for Moscow is MOW; the two most common airports in Moscow are Sheremetyevo (SVO) and Domodedovo (DME). AY appear to use SVO.

 

[KitKat]

Did not fly BKK-HEL but lots of experience on HKG-HEL. This had quite good food and wine (good reds, dessert wine). AVOD works but limited selection compared with CX/QF. Quality headphones provided.
Found the lie "flat" (sloping) seats a little too firm. Very good in recline position though.
Efficient staff but not overly chatty except for my J connecting flight to MXP who spoke to me in Finnish as she saw me flipping through the Finnish newspaper.
Yes intra-europe flight is economy seats with J service with seats in between blocked.
Transit via HEL is efficient (small airport) - after clearing the hordes at the LAG checks.
Enjoy!

 

[SYD]

We flew SYD-HKG-HEL-BCN and LHR-HEL-HKG-SYD in J about 12mths ago ($6500 return - good value!). Long haul, the staff were friendly and attentive. The seats are OK and there was something to watch on the AV. Probably would have neen more if I spoke Finnish!

BTW, they do have Elk and Raindeer on the menu! Drinks flow freely. The quoteable quote from the 7am HKG to HEL flight - "It is never too early to have Champagne"!

 

[The Beast]

I would like to endorse the above comments, having travelled HKG-HEL and HEL-BKK with them in October. Great food and drink, limited AVOD/IFE, comfortable but not quite flat seats. The lounge in HEL is due to be spruced up, I think perhas opening soon, and should be worth visiting. There was talk of a sauna and plunge pool, no less!
For the prices that they ask, this is a bargain way of travelling J.

 

[NYCguy]

AY appear to use SVO.

And the best of luck at SVO, one of the most god-foresaken sh*tholes in the world.

 

[MissBurrill]

The quoteable quote from the 7am HKG to HEL flight - "It is never too early to have Champagne"!

Was QF009 on the flight?!

 

[russianrob]

SVO is indeed one of the worst airports in the world, but they have opened a new terminal in the past few months, and with any luck Finnair will have transfered there. No doubt the "service" will remain the same...s%*thouse.
As others have told you, Finnair seats are NOT flat but angled.
Beware approaches for taxis as you exit customs, and be aware that corruption is endemic in Russian society.........especially the police!

 

[Postcode]

Currently in France after a J class AY longhaul from HKG and a shorter flight from HEL to CDG. I use AY often now that they use the A330. Realistic price compared to what other airlines get away with.

Seats OK. I never sleep on flights so never recline. IFE limited and after a while I just use the ipod for movies or music.

Service varies.

Food not at all bad. Quite good in fact and whoever is in charge of the wine selection knows his/her stuff.

A new J lounge is in HEL. Much better than the old one but it was chockers with people due to so many delayed flights due to weather when I was there. Good booze but not fussed on the food selection. Seating limited. Good staff though. I dropped my passport and it was immediately sent to my gate.

Euro flights usually block a middle seat in a row of 3. The seats are standard Y seats though. I have an Embraer 170 flight ex GVA which is a 2 2 configuration. Hot food and drinks served. No IFE on Euro flights.

Now that they have ridded themselves of the old MD 11s I am more than happy to fly AY.

 

[Isabel]

Hi there
I'm checking out Finnair as well - came up with a great Finnair/CX mixed class fare this morning. Checking them out on Airline Quality (I'm only new here so not allowed to put web link) they don't come out too well.
But I did find a great JAL PE fare
Cheers
Isabel

 

[codash1099]

Hi there
I'm checking out Finnair as well - came up with a great Finnair/CX mixed class fare this morning. Checking them out on Airline Quality (I'm only new here so not allowed to put web link) they don't come out too well.
But I did find a great JAL PE fare
Cheers
Isabel

I'd be a little cautious with JAL at the moment. Their future is a little uncertain and one rumour is that it may have to surrender its international routes.

 

[HardieBoys]

I've flown three long-haul sectors (all HEL - HKG or the reverse) and three short-haul sectors (LHR - HEL, HEL - MAD) in Finnair J, and would recommend it as a value proposition.

I'd agree with most of the other posts, in that the beds are comfortable and relatively wide, but don't go flat. The in-flight entertainment is limited compared with QF, BA and CX, and the magazine and newspaper selections are limited.

I thought the food was pretty good, and I'm not a huge wine buff, but the alcohol selection seemed adequate for me. The staff are efficient and consistently courteous, but not exactly warm and fuzzy.

Finnair used to have a great Business Europe fare that essentially allowed a RTW journey, but pulled it in 2008, which is a pity.

 

[SYD]

I just saw AY J class to Europe from $6229 inc tax (ex-SYD, MEL, BRI etc) from now to Nov 2010. Which is about $500+ less than was advertised / offered last year.

BA, CX or JL to/from Asia and AY to/from HEL and onwards to about 70 Euro desitinations. Unlike JL, there are good connections through BKK and HKG. Which makes this one of the better/cheaper OW options to Europe in J class.

 

[winfred]

I need to go MEL-HKG-CDG in 1 weeks time and am looking at Finnair option.

CX with direct flight from HKG to CDG is only A$7421. However I don't seem to be able to schedule in a stopover in HKG unless I pay $10k.

I then look at other options and QF/AY is one that will allow me to stopover in HKG both ways but the downside is the stop in HEL which adds 2-3 hours to the trip.

I will try to get a travel agent to get CX with stopover in HKG and if I fail then QF/AY. I will then have 7 days to learn some Finnish.

 

[russianrob]

Most of them speak better english than us!

 

[NM]

I will then have 7 days to learn some Finnish.

Should not take 7 days to learn "2 olut haluta"

 

[RB]

Our 2008 J flight was fine. Plenty of room, drinks were fine and I found there was plenty of room although not as much storage space as BA & QF upper.

 

[misterlangdon]

I recently flew Sydney/Prague via Helsinki with Finnair in economy. As a result of the snow storms in Europe over the Xmas/new year period, flights everywhere were massively disrupted.

On arrival in Helsinki, my connecting flight to Prague was long gone and no further flights were departing Helsinki that day. I was due to arrive in Prague on Xmas eve – in time to meet my partner in Prague to spend Xmas day. This was not to be.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Finnair had arranged hotel rooms for me and other passengers who had missed their connections. Not only that but I was also given a very generous voucher for dinner that evening and breakfast the following morning – I finally made it to Prague on an 8pm flight on Xmas day.

Much to my surprise, on the return leg back to Sydney via Bangkok, Finnair had upgraded me to business class. And not just me, it appeared there were others in the cabin, who had also had their travel plans disrupted at some point.

Biz Class was certainly appreciated. A lie flat bed - not quite – but it does certainly get you almost horizontal. Friendly, efficient cabin staff and service. Meals OK –a tad better than economy, but I’ve had better biz food on the likes of QF.

Congratulations and a pat on the back to this airline.