Finnair to launch Melbourne-Helsinki flights

[aspro2]

Well, pretty good in business but only if you like quiche!

Yeah the reports on Flyertalk about those shameful quichey things are discouraging...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Finnair I think is particularly bad a paying eu261 claims

 

[Melburnian1]

Yes- apparently really really bad in Eco (not tried myself, gratefully) but pretty good in Business, even inner European these days. As it should be, I would add (saying as someone who ALWAYS forks out for J, usually from my own pockets these days)

I have only ever flown intra-European one way and that was in 2025 on AF as part of an international J return fare. I wasn't impressed: the usual 'Euro Business' configuration, and a cold, rather basic meal. It may be unfair to extrapolate that Finnair will be similarly basic for such sectors but nothing seen on the Internet suggests otherwise.

I normally avoid travelling by air between European countries as using a first class Global Eurailpass (that also covers Eurostar - with a supplement - and the UK) is far more enjoyable, scenic, relaxing and offers a choice of mostly very good to excellent day or overnight sleeping/couchette car trains.

 

[SYD]

I never eat Y Food.

You’ll be fine. There isn’t any…

I just flew my first ever Y trip on AY (many J previously). VNO-HEL-LHR. First sector was an ATR. We were taking off 5mins before scheduled departure. Landed 15 mins early. It was then quite a long walk (unusual for HEL) to get to the non-Schengen PP control. Zero line processing out, so a little extra time in the Platinum lounge (first time back there post COVID) - which is still quite good. HEL-LHR on an A321, I was able to select Exit row seats at time of booking. Zero food included on a 3 hr flight (could pre-order or buy on board). Didn’t bother. Flight also arrived early.

A few weeks ago, flew MXP-HEL in J as part of a CX ticket. Usual decent Euro business service, meal and drinks (no fish, I actually don’t recall AY being particularly fish forward on their menus - maybe they do Asian routes were fish is preferred).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have only ever flown intra-European one way and that was in 2025 on AF as part of an international J return fare. I wasn't impressed: the usual 'Euro Business' configuration, and a cold, rather basic meal. It may be unfair to extrapolate that Finnair will be similarly basic for such sectors but nothing seen on the Internet suggests otherwise.

I normally avoid travelling by air between European countries as using a first class Global Eurailpass (that also covers Eurostar - with a supplement - and the UK) is far more enjoyable, scenic, relaxing and offers a choice of mostly very good to excellent day or overnight sleeping/couchette car trains.

I have to disagree with you there!

Eurobusiness seating is… well.. eurobusiness. Everyone knows what it is going in and shouldn’t be surprised.

I actually don’t mind it, the spare seat is great for additional leg space and room (don’t like airlines that skimp on their smaller E-190s by not blocking one of the pair).

The food however is - mostly - one of the best things if you pick your carrier. Air France catering is great, even if cold. Same for Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian. BA is also excellent. TAP was pretty good last year on its regional flights. SAS was ‘ok’, not bad with their SAS plus, although that’s changed to proper business class now.

I’ve heard Iberia’s not great, but I thought Finnair was fine, but not near the LH group.

Train is ok, but although it may take a similar time to fly or go by rail, at least when i’m flying I’m ‘doing’ something… getting to the airport, lounge, flying, etc. Rather than just sitting doing nothing for the same time!

 

[Quickstatus]

I wasn't impressed: the usual 'Euro Business' configuration,

The one thing that is good about EuroJ is that sometimes the fare is cheaper than Y - post #7URL]
+ lounge access, baggafge allowance, better food etc etc
Other than that it is just a Y seat with a shadow.

EU Rail of course can be excellent value - but mainly for intra continental EU.

 

[Berlin]

I would always rather fly than enduring the train- just because I love flying so much (and also had many more bad train experiences in my life than flight experiences).

Back to FY: Food in European Business class got noticeably better post COVID, had lovely (hot meals) for both breakfast and lunch last year. Not particularly fish heavy either (I tend to not eat fish myself and am allergic to shellfish)- definitely not in comparison with most Asian and particularly Japanese carriers.

Breakfast (quite generous but admittedly, the egg doesn’t look that great- tasted okay for airplane food though):



And a lunch- beef dish with starter salad. Was way better than what QF would serve on a typical two hour flight:

 

[PERLHR]

Yes and a reminder of what Qantas provide on a four hour plus flight (international) to Brisbane from Apia. Give me AY anytime ..in all my flights with many airlines in biZ this was simply was the worst.

 

[DC3]

View attachment 519735

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes and a reminder of what Qantas provide on a four hour plus flight (international) to Brisbane from Apia. Give me AY anytime ..in all my flights with many airlines in biZ this was simply was the worst. View attachment 519735

was that from brisbane? or leaving from apia? I knew they had issues departing apia, but ex. BNE shouldn’t be that!

 

[PERLHR]

was that from brisbane? or leaving from apia? I knew they had issues departing apia, but ex. BNE shouldn’t be that!

Should not matter from where but yes it's well documented....ex APW...but obviously Australian finest think it's totally acceptable for their Biz pax. So back on topic...I'll quite happy accept intra euro service service on AY for a short flight.

 

[DC3]

Yes and a reminder of what Qantas provide on a four hour plus flight (international) to Brisbane from Apia. Give me AY anytime

Not sure when AY will be flying from Apia.

 

[Quickstatus]

Breakfast (quite generous but admittedly, the egg doesn’t look that great- tasted okay for airplane food though):

Up there with anything that Neil could ever drum up......

 

[PERLHR]

Not sure when AY will be flying from Apia.

...but thats not the point. Not sure when QF will fly from anywhere in Europe except Rome, Paris or London.

 

[stu961]

I have to disagree with you there!

Eurobusiness seating is… well.. eurobusiness. Everyone knows what it is going in and shouldn’t be surprised.

I actually don’t mind it, the spare seat is great for additional leg space and room (don’t like airlines that skimp on their smaller E-190s by not blocking one of the pair).

The food however is - mostly - one of the best things if you pick your carrier. Air France catering is great, even if cold. Same for Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian. BA is also excellent. TAP was pretty good last year on its regional flights. SAS was ‘ok’, not bad with their SAS plus, although that’s changed to proper business class now.

I’ve heard Iberia’s not great, but I thought Finnair was fine, but not near the LH group.

Train is ok, but although it may take a similar time to fly or go by rail, at least when i’m flying I’m ‘doing’ something… getting to the airport, lounge, flying, etc. Rather than just sitting doing nothing for the same time!

food is an all "in the eye of the beholder" thing... Iberia is Spanish tapas style, no surprises there!! and as you say, Euro business is Euro business. Would I fly Euro business ex UK, never but to UK, always.

 

[PERLHR]

food is an all "in the eye of the beholder" thing... Iberia is Spanish tapas style, no surprises there!! and as you say, Euro business is Euro business. Would I fly Euro business ex UK, never but to UK, always.

Not sure what you mean never fly euro business ex UK but to UK yes? . It's not just the layout but also price. Sometimes business can be very cheap within EU and UK and for Qantas FF you get good status points for a fare hardly ever seen in Aussie.

 

[stu961]

Not sure what you mean never fly euro business ex UK but to UK yes? . It's not just the layout but also price. Sometimes business can be very cheap within EU and UK and for Qantas FF you get good status points for a fare hardly ever seen in Aussie.

ex as in "out of UK".. which leads on to price!!!

Not sure what you mean never fly euro business ex UK but to UK yes? . It's not just the layout but also price. Sometimes business can be very cheap within EU and UK and for Qantas FF you get good status points for a fare hardly ever seen in Aussie.

Ex as "out of the UK"... even for short Euro flights UK departure tax is high... easiest example and a flight I do often is London to Alicante... for flights I'm on in November & December outbound it's AUD $420 and inbound it's AUD $246 for biz with BA. So I fly biz Spain to UK and economy UK to Spain. I would love to see a Qantas biz fare for a 2.5 hours flight for $246!!!