Finnair RTW / Business Europe fare

[HardieBoys]

Just looking at options for travel in May. Finnair have a Business Europe fare for $6999 + taxes. Any oneworld carrier can be used, though in Europe, the intra-European leg must be in Finnair, and it's an economy seat (but it would be only 3 hours at the most). Passengers must transit via Helsinki, and one long-haul flight must be with Finnair (e.g. Helsinki to either BKK, HKG or Shanghai).

I have to go to DC, thought I'd catch the direct BA flight to LHR, then come back to Sydney. I could stop one night in Asia on the way home to catch my breath.

This is significantly cheaper than either of the two oneworld RTW, but has the issue of flying via Helsinki.

Has anyone done this flight, and in particular, has anyone on the forum flown London to Sydney via Helsinki and an Asian port?

 

[alect]

Just looking at options for travel in May. Finnair have a Business Europe fare for $6999 + taxes. Any oneworld carrier can be used, though in Europe, the intra-European leg must be in Finnair, and it's an economy seat (but it would be only 3 hours at the most). Passengers must transit via Helsinki, and one long-haul flight must be with Finnair (e.g. Helsinki to either BKK, HKG or Shanghai).

I have to go to DC, thought I'd catch the direct BA flight to LHR, then come back to Sydney. I could stop one night in Asia on the way home to catch my breath.

This is significantly cheaper than either of the two oneworld RTW, but has the issue of flying via Helsinki.

Has anyone done this flight, and in particular, has anyone on the forum flown London to Sydney via Helsinki and an Asian port?

HEL is a very amenable and convenient airport especialyl for transfers. So that alone should not dissuade you.

Have you considered cutting out LHR altogether? Why not connect in HEL to AY's direct flight to JFK (and then either train, fly or drive to DCA)? If going the other way, DCA to JFK (same method) then JFK-HEL-BKK/HKG/PVG-SYD

 

[garyjohn951]

Yes, did this last year in August 2007 and have booked again for June/July 2008. At that price is $4000 less than QF.

The upcoming flight I am QF Mel-HKG, AY to Helsinki, then intra-europe [ yes in Y but hey its only mel-Bris length], the Frankfurt - Sin - Mel on QF.

So one long haul flight is not QF for $4000 cheaper. Seeing its MY money I'm spending its a no boner.

The J in Finnair is good. Seating is 99% the same as QF skybeds. Service good, food good. TV'not good, only choice of 4 films but I needed to read the book anyway.

You can go via HKG, China or Japan.

 

[dragonman]

HEL is a very amenable and convenient airport especialyl for transfers. So that alone should not dissuade you.

Have you considered cutting out LHR altogether? Why not connect in HEL to AY's direct flight to JFK (and then either train, fly or drive to DCA)? If going the other way, DCA to JFK (same method) then JFK-HEL-BKK/HKG/PVG-SYD

Flew HEL-JFK last month - great service, food - nice experience in J.

 

[simongr]

I had some reasonable experiences on AY (although points never posted to AA or QF) although I thought HEL was hellish.

Just out of interest is this just a return fare? I am trying to work out how it links/compares to a DONE4?

 

[garyjohn951]

I beleive it allows 5 stopovers only

 

[Craigo]

I've got a similar trip booked for October. I got a Finnair/Qantas fare for $6299 + taxes/charges through Best Flights. The fare is Finnair long haul both ways and business class for intra-European services. I'm flying Qantas SYD-HKG then Finnair Hong Kong - Helsinki - Munich - Helsinki - Hong Kong and QF home.

Helsinki is not a bad airport and the advantage of the fare is two 9.5-10 hour flights followed by a same terminal transfer for a 2 hour flight, instead of a 7.5 and 13 hour flight followed by a Heathrow inter-terminal transfer (ugh!) and a 2 hour flight. It's always good to avoid Heathrow if you don't need to go there.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I had some reasonable experiences on AY (although points never posted to AA or QF) although I thought HEL was hellish.

Just out of interest is this just a return fare? I am trying to work out how it links/compares to a DONE4?

DONE4 is round the world in J, with lots of options.

The QF/AY deal has different combinations. One is to Europe and back and the other is Round the world; via America and Europe; Eastern Hemisphere/Western Hemisphere.

If you are going to DCA then consider flying from Aust to JFK on QF; shuttle flight to DCA and back(brought separately) then AY to HEL then you can do a side trip in Europe then AY to Asia NRT/HKG/BKK then home on QF.

Between Asia and HEL the flights are on A340s and MD11s. and between JFK-HEL flights are on MD11. Please note that not all longhaul routes are daily so you need to look at the online timetables.

I don't know what they are like; I made a booking but had to cancel.

 

[NM]

HEL is nice in summer, but not so nice when HEL freezes over.

Remember folks, the way to HEL is through SIN.

 

[JohnK]

Remember folks, the way to HEL is through SIN.

Not possible with the one carrier since AY stopped the BKK-SIN tag flights....

 

[HardieBoys]

Thanks for all the information. For me, at least, the saving seems worth traveling via HEL. I did consider avoiding LHR altogether, but am visiting a friend there.

Reassured by comments about transfer ease in HEL. I'll probably choose my Asian stopover on the basis of flight connections in HEL, as not fussed if I go to HKG or BKK.

I wasn't aware of the stopover limits, but will check to see if my itinerary (SYD-DC-LHR-BKK/HKG-SYD) will fit within the requirements, or if I'll have to pay extra.

 

[NM]

Not possible with the one carrier since AY stopped the BKK-SIN tag flights....

You can do it with one carrier. BA will get you from SIN to HEL without changing carrier.

 

[JohnK]

You can do it with one carrier. BA will get you from SIN to HEL without changing carrier.

OK.

Not possible with a single carrier avoiding LHR and with only one stopover and not needing to change aircraft since AY stopped the BKK-SIN tag flights.

 

[NM]

OK.

Not possible with a single carrier avoiding LHR and with only one stopover and not needing to change aircraft since AY stopped the BKK-SIN tag flights.

Now that is getting a bit specific. KLM can meet two out of three criteria, just need to change from 777 to 737 at AMS. Or LH via FRA.