Finnair vs Turkish in Y to Tallinn or Helsinki?

[dajop]

Anyone flown either of these in economy? Looking at an extended long weekend from SIN and as usual, nearby locations are off the charts in terms of airfare (eg. $500+ for LCC's return to coughet or Bali) so looking at doing something random like Helsinki or Tallinn, which will cost only 50% more for full service carrier for 5x distance ...

Choice is Finnair on old A340, which comes with nothing but bad reviews on skytrax, or A330 on Turkish, which seems newer. TK is one stop so would mean 3 hrs less at either end, but upside is more likely to checkin to hotel on arrival and don't need to wait for late night departure. As well, the TK lounge in IST is a big upside, although QF lounge at SIN and AY lounge at HEL are both appealing to (I do like the idea of having a sauna before the flight home).

Any experience, particularly with Finnair in economy?

 

[deejo77]

Yes did Finnair out of Singapore 2 yrs ago.....it was the worst flight we have ever had. It was about a midnight departure and we had come from the Qantas lounge. Just wanted to get on and sleep. Got on the plane and it was that hot on board i stripped my son to his jocks, it took a good hour before temperature was ok. Economy seats had cigarette ash trays in the arms it was that old. Our group of 6 had 2 chairs that didn't recline. They did a meal service and a duty free service (must be cheap for yhe fubs as they all loaded up) it was 3 hrs before lights out. Other than that Helsinki is ok but absolutely loved tallinn. I flew Turkish from Europe to Istanbul and still remember the flight fondly for the chicken meal.

 

[Boca68]

Anyone flown either of these in economy? Looking at an extended long weekend from SIN and as usual, nearby locations are off the charts in terms of airfare (eg. $500+ for LCC's return to coughet or Bali) so looking at doing something random like Helsinki or Tallinn, which will cost only 50% more for full service carrier for 5x distance ...

Choice is Finnair on old A340, which comes with nothing but bad reviews on skytrax, or A330 on Turkish, which seems newer. TK is one stop so would mean 3 hrs less at either end, but upside is more likely to checkin to hotel on arrival and don't need to wait for late night departure. As well, the TK lounge in IST is a big upside, although QF lounge at SIN and AY lounge at HEL are both appealing to (I do like the idea of having a sauna before the flight home).

Any experience, particularly with Finnair in economy?

Just a thought, but as it is an extended long weekend (4 to 5 days?), what about going to Doha on QR, or Dubai on EK or Abu Dhabi on EY?

Something different, yes. Just a quick check on QR for mid-September says about $1000 SGD return per pax. On an A350....

Or Abu Dhabi EY for $1100 AUD on a 787.

Just throwing it up there as a thought.

 

[kamchatsky]

Another +1 for Tallinn. We did both. Helsinki is OK but old town of Tallinn is an absolute European hidden gem.

 

[dajop]

Thanks, sounds like TLL on TK seems the way to go, if the price comes back on the dates I want to travel (it's a bit all over the place). Looking at a fare of around $750-800. FWIW I've seen TK to Europe as low as $690 (SIN-PRG return), but been to Prague, so thinking about somewhere different (vs $550 to Bali - no luggage - on Air Asia Indonesia).

Boca68, we did consider the middle east, looking at either Dubai (which we have been to, as well as Abu Dhabi) or Oman for about $650 on EK, but would rather go to ME at a time of year when its slightly cooler (when you live in SIN, hot weather loses its appeal). Also we were very strongly considering Mauritius, trouble is flight back arrives at 07:50 and I must be in office at 9am, and perhaps could do with more than just 3-4 days there. The European services arrive late afternoon, which is better timing, and a few days in Tallinn or Helsinki seemed about right.