Funny Finnair

[Cessna 180]

After a few weeks in Romania, Bulgeria and Hungary,I was booked on the AY1256, BUD-HEL, thence AY99 HEL-HKG, thence QF30 HKG-MEL. All straight forward with ~2hrs each connection. Classic reward. I was impressed at how well handled the situation was and thought I would document it for myself and a bit of positivity in what seems to be a constant flow of negative news in air travel of late.

Prior to boarding at BUD (which was already nearly an hour late), I noticed the 99 was delayed from 0030 until 0730 according to Flightradar. Oh well, I thought, not much I can do about this. As we were about to get on from BUD, I asked the gate staff if they knew anything about the situation. They looked up what they could and said that “there were six of us connecting and to see the service desk in Helsinki for arrangements”.

So I took my seat on the Finnair A320. Seat 2A in “business” Now, I put business in commas because the plane fit out to me looked exactly the same as Network or Jetstar 320’s in AUS. No legroom and 3-3 seating. Business is the first five rows separated by a little curtain thing. Now, I knew I was in J because the sign said so. Anyway, only three of us in the section and I had the row of three to myself so all good for the two and a bit hour flight.

I have read about Euro business class before, but I think this was a little tighter than I had expected!

As we took off and set course out toward Warsaw, the cloud cleared away and the view was spectacular in the long twighlight the further north we went. This is my favourite part of flying over new and sometimes even regular places, an amazing scenic flight.

Soon after an announcement was made that there would be a complimentary meal for J pax and a snack service for purchase for the rest. I cannot remember exactly what it was but it tasted ok and was served on a china plate a long with a little mini wine bottle the same as we get on QF domestic Y.

On decent into HEL flying over Tallin, it was around 2300 by this time and still I could see the glow of the sunset!

 

[Cessna 180]

As I disembarked, I asked for directions to the service desk. I was greeted there by four service agents and a handful of passengers, some of whom seemed a little elevated. One kept yelling “what about Copenhagen?!” I am never quite sure what yelling and carrying on does in these situations, but it must make some people feel better about themselves I suppose. There must have been other flights arriving connecting to Hong Kong I assume. After about ten minutes it was my turn. I was handed a voucher for a motel close by and a card with an email for any further expense like taxis or similar.

I asked if going via London or Singapore was an option and she replied that SIN was full and there was a couple of seats in Y via London if I wanted. It did not matter to me, it was more that I was curious.

Few hours kip and back to the airport around six. This was the only hiccup in the trip. Security was a breeze and they even let me keep my 500ml bottle of duty-free Unicum. A true Hungarian delight…

Immigration, not so good…. One person for what seemed like an entire Airbus 350. Anyway, no matter. Eventually I was through after 30 minutes or so and then the lounge did not open until 7. In fact 7 05! I do not do queues, so I went for a further wonder. When I came back of course I was behind a bloody line of the rest of the A350 plus I think a flight to LHR s well!!.

Still time for a coffee and a shower and the attendant showed me the Platinum section which does not open till later in the day. Seemed a decent set up. Standard lounge buffet fare on offer.

I asked them if they knew what would happen to my MEL flight seeing as I would miss it by three hours and they indicated that something would happen and it would all be organized on arrival in HKG.

Time to board my first second Finnair flight and into the AirLounge, seat 2L. From what I had read, I was not expecting much from either the seat or the onboard service.

The beauty of not expecting much is that it is easy to be impressed! Well impressed I was. I found the seat to be very comfortable. Very spacious and when I eventually decided to lay down for a bit very comfortable for my 6’3” frame. I would say it was more comfy than the Q suite on which I travelled west on a few weeks earlier.

Crew were really good and friendly. Thet took a little bit to loosen up perhaps but really good. The ones I spoke with were all formally employed at CX and indicated they were happier working at AY. Catering was ok and plenty of drink top ups if required.

Some good views of mountains with snow on top somewhere near the black sea.

 

[Cessna 180]

At some point through the flight the crew informed me that accommodation was booked tonight and that my onward flight info would be given to me on disembarkation.

Arriving just prior to Midnight local time, there was a sign at the end of the aerobridge with the names and destination of the missed connection and a person there with paperwork. I was given a voucher for the Regal Hotel and a boarding ticket for CX 163 the next morning. Perfect.

Went to immigration and after a bit of a walk I was at the hotel. Did not have to leave the airport. Could not sleep so went for another walk around the departure section for some reason.

Eventually nodded off for an hour or two and then headed back around 0730 so I could go and check out The Pier. Hundreds of people and yet immigration and security was a breeze in a few minutes.

Here is the worst part. My Unicum was confiscated even though it was in a sealed duty free bag from Budapest. $20 and my new favourite delicacy down the gurgler!

I did the long walk up to The Peir for a coffee, champagne and a shower. By now they had allocated the gate for my 1115 departure. Gate 1. Right below The Wing, haha. Oh well, I need exercise.

On to the CX 777 and off to MEL with an uneventful flight. Arrived about 14 hours later than planned at 2200 and off for the long drive home.

 

[Scr77]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a good result. You said Classic reward, so I presume flights were booked via Qantas?

 

[RooFlyer]

was served on a china plate a long with a little mini wine

And a littala glass. Love them.

Time to board my first second Finnair flight and into the AirLounge, seat 2L. From what I had read, I was not expecting much from either the seat or the onboard service.

Long haul from HEL I would have expected a Finnish crew and therefore excellent service. Had you read before that it wouldn't be, hence the low expectation? I've never had other than excellent times on Finnair (before they started employing non-Finn crews)

 

[Cessna 180]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a good result. You said Classic reward, so I presume flights were booked via Qantas?

Yes approx 150k in points and sub $300 in taxes.

 

[Cessna 180]

Yes . Both the seat and service have had mixed reviews from my interpretation. Also potentially strict carry on bag rules. Mine was not checked.

I do not expect a five star gourmet experience nor the most expensive champagne going. What I do expect is plenty of real estate, a decent something to eat and a couple of decent wines or drinks of one’s choice to while away the time.

The crew that I interacted with were all Asia based.

 

[RooFlyer]

Also potentially strict carry on bag rules.

Oh, oh. When flying business I generally regard the cabin baggage allowance as a suggestion rather than a directive. .

 

[craven morehead]

After a few weeks in Romania, Bulgeria and Hungary,I was booked on the AY1256, BUD-HEL, thence AY99 HEL-HKG, thence QF30 HKG-MEL. All straight forward with ~2hrs each connection. Classic reward. I was impressed at how well handled the situation was and thought I would document it for myself and a bit of positivity in what seems to be a constant flow of negative news in air travel of late.

Prior to boarding at BUD (which was already nearly an hour late), I noticed the 99 was delayed from 0030 until 0730 according to Flightradar. Oh well, I thought, not much I can do about this. As we were about to get on from BUD, I asked the gate staff if they knew anything about the situation. They looked up what they could and said that “there were six of us connecting and to see the service desk in Helsinki for arrangements”.

So I took my seat on the Finnair A320. Seat 2A in “business” Now, I put business in commas because the plane fit out to me looked exactly the same as Network or Jetstar 320’s in AUS. No legroom and 3-3 seating. Business is the first five rows separated by a little curtain thing. Now, I knew I was in J because the sign said so. Anyway, only three of us in the section and I had the row of three to myself so all good for the two and a bit hour flight.

I have read about Euro business class before, but I think this was a little tighter than I had expected!

As we took off and set course out toward Warsaw, the cloud cleared away and the view was spectacular in the long twighlight the further north we went. This is my favourite part of flying over new and sometimes even regular places, an amazing scenic flight.

Soon after an announcement was made that there would be a complimentary meal for J pax and a snack service for purchase for the rest. I cannot remember exactly what it was but it tasted ok and was served on a china plate a long with a little mini wine bottle the same as we get on QF domestic Y.

On decent into HEL flying over Tallin, it was around 2300 by this time and still I could see the glow of the sunset!

Onboard

 

[Cessna 180]

Onboard

Are you suggesting I should do a report for the entire three weeks? I could give it a crack. I did make some notes at the start but got waylaid...
I was intending to go to Albania and Macedonia but realized I did not have enough time for that. Another trip needs to be planned.

 

[craven morehead]

Are you suggesting I should do a report for the entire three weeks? I could give it a crack. I did make some notes at the start but got waylaid...
I was intending to go to Albania and Macedonia but realized I did not have enough time for that. Another trip needs to be planned.

It definitely takes time and effort. Maybe throw some photos up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you know the reason for the delay on the AY99?Given your late arrival back to AU, you should be entitled to €600 compensation, unless the airline can show extraordinary circumstances.

I’d apply first through Finnair. If they reject it, go through a claims company. They’ll take 33%, but you’ll get €400. If Finnair has a legitimate reason to avoid payment, the claims company will verify that and advise you accordingly.

 

[Scash]

I was intending to go to Albania and Macedonia but realized I did not have enough time for that. Another trip needs to be planned.

We're in the throws of planning a trip to the Balkans next year. Looking to spend three weeks or so travelling the various countries but finding it difficult to put together with transport logistics, border crossings etc. Might just go with an organised tour yet.

 

[finsam]

Fyi, Helsinki has new scanners at security and bottles can be taken to international flights

How much liquids can I bring in my hand luggage?

Rules for liquids in hand baggage at Helsinki Airport Departures No more than two litres of liquids per passenger may be carried through the security control in the departures hall of Helsinki Airport. The package size of a single liquid product...

customerservice.finavia.fi

 

[Cessna 180]

Do you know the reason for the delay on the AY99?Given your late arrival back to AU, you should be entitled to €600 compensation, unless the airline can show extraordinary circumstances.

I’d apply first through Finnair. If they reject it, go through a claims company. They’ll take 33%, but you’ll get €400. If Finnair has a legitimate reason to avoid payment, the claims company will verify that and advise you accordingly.

Thanks for this. At the time no reason was given. I have applied and been promptly rejected. This was part of their response. I am in two minds here. I got where I needed to go, albeit a little later than planned and they provided hotels on the way. But then reading the policy it looks like I would be entitled for 600 euro as you say. Which would be quite handy.

Such unusual conditions include weather conditions, strike, air traffic restrictions and safety risks.
Finnair technical department found an exceptional fault in THS rear support fittings sealant. Finnair considers that the defect is not a consequence of wear and tear caused by use and is therefore not related to the airline's normal operations. Because of this finding, the plane's manufacturer, Airbus, required inspections and unloading in the area, which led to the delay. Similar observations have been made in Finnair's other aircraft as well as in other airlines' A350 aircraft types.
Due to the aforementioned extraordinary situation, no EU compensation is applicable.

 

[Cessna 180]

It definitely takes time and effort. Maybe throw some photos up.

You are right Craven , I should add some more.
Thanks for the encouragement

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for this. At the time no reason was given. I have applied and been promptly rejected. This was part of their response. I am in two minds here. I got where I needed to go, albeit a little later than planned and they provided hotels on the way. But then reading the policy it looks like I would be entitled for 600 euro as you say. Which would be quite handy.

Such unusual conditions include weather conditions, strike, air traffic restrictions and safety risks.
Finnair technical department found an exceptional fault in THS rear support fittings sealant. Finnair considers that the defect is not a consequence of wear and tear caused by use and is therefore not related to the airline's normal operations. Because of this finding, the plane's manufacturer, Airbus, required inspections and unloading in the area, which led to the delay. Similar observations have been made in Finnair's other aircraft as well as in other airlines' A350 aircraft types.
Due to the aforementioned extraordinary situation, no EU compensation is applicable.

You could try a claim firm. They will take 33%. But at least they'll deal with Finnair, or assess finnair's response.

However, I would not proceed to court if it comes to that. Another member here on AFF had Finnair come after them after the claim firm went bankrupt.

 

[Cessna 180]

You could try a claim firm. They will take 33%. But at least they'll deal with Finnair, or assess finnair's response.

However, I would not proceed to court if it comes to that. Another member here on AFF had Finnair come after them after the claim firm went bankrupt.

I do not think I will pursue it. Like I said, I got where I needed to be and they put me in motels at each stop without any trauma. I see it as just part of the joys of these trips.

Additionally I plan to use Finnair again next year as they seem to be the only carrier left that I can find to get to Europe with points and low taxes.

 

[Cessna 180]

Anyway Craven, I have been making some note on word so hear goes. I get a lot of info and entertainment form AFF but I do not contribute as much as I should.

This trip started last year in the BNE lounge waiting for my flight to EMD. For some reason flights on QR through Velocity were wide open from MEL to many European destinations. I had wanted to go to Budapest and Eastern Europe for some reason, so I booked in to Bucharest there and then. Work the rest out later.

QR905 from MEL-DOH connecting to OTP. 23 APR

Booked around June last year with Velocity points. Around 130000 points plus ~$700 in taxes.

After check in straight through security and immigration very promptly, hardly anyone there. Did not have to take toiletries or laptops out. Very simple.

I found out at check in if carry on only, one can just proceed through security and they will print a boarding pass for you at gate.

Enjoyed the very excellent ML F lounge. I was offered a massage shortly after arrival too. So much nicer than the SYD equivalent.

After a light tea I checked out the whatever lounge QR offers. I forget the name save to say it Pretty depressing in all aspects. I did not stay there more than three minutes.

 

[Cessna 180]

Mel