Mini TR: CDG-HELx-BKK on AY in J - pics

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This is a mini trip report as per usual, I’m not big on stories.
Sorry that many of the pics are out of focus. I think I was still hung over from a big night and forgot the phone needs a sec longer vs a camera.
Anyways, you'll all get the picture so-to-speak.

Needed to get from CDG to BKK. Had the good fortune to be in J.
CDG to HEL was in a A321 'domestic' config.
HEL to BKK was a A330 international config.

Here we go ... I hope some find it useful.


This is the CDG to HEL part:


Check in counter & lounge shots.
The lounge is operated by a 3rd party and is more then acceptable. It is 10 steps away from the Finnair check in counter.
It was almost empty the entire time we were there. The facility was clean and snacks good witha large bar selection. Wifi worked well and toilets clean. There is no boarding call. I would be happy to use this again.

Check in + Terminal

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Lounge

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More AY CDG lounge pics
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Gate Boarding pics

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Boarding & seat pics.
Now the CDG to HEL leg was in J but it really is just economy with the mid seat not sold.
Row 1 of the A321 does have more leg room but the tray table is in the seat arms so you can't lift them up.
Rows 2 onwards in the J cabin allow arm rests to be lifted creating a long seat to have a power sleep if required.
I selected row 1 because I don't liek people reclining into me and I find row 1 does have a bit extra leg room.

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The inflight meal was excellent for such a short flight.
It was hot and yummy. In fact all the Finnair food was excellent and IMHO better than QF J (Dom or Int).

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Now some HEL airport & J lounge pics.
Again, this is a very good lounge. Snacks are nice ... but if you want real Champagne vs sparking you have to pay for it (110 Euro for a bottle of Mumm).
The seating was well done and the showers were very good.
NB: There is a 'domestic' Schengen lounge which I did not use. These pics are from the J international lounge.

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More AY HEL lounge pics

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More AY HEL lounge pics ... bathroom shoots.
Bathrooms and showers were very clean and never lines of people.

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Now from HEL to BKK ...

Boarding & Seat pics. The seating is in a 1 / 2 config. So if travelling solo, this is an excellent choice.
The seating is full flat bed (no slope) and comfortable. I was able to sleep well for about 5 hours after a few glass of bubbles then some nice reds from France & Italy.
The entertainment system worked well with a reasonable choice of movies and music & TV shows.

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More pics of seat, Amenity kit (was basic but you could ask for additional items - which I did e.g toothbrush). The eye mask was the best I've seen so far!
The meal service, again was excellent. Hot and yummy. Breakfast was also a full hot breakfast (no crummy 'Cafe Style' QF breakfast for a similar length flight).

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More meal pics (Salmon is a second dinner I had) then breakfast & sunrise into BKK


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Overal this was a very good flight. Everything was ontime. Crew were polite and never had an issue with drink refilling etc.
Again, IMHO, Finnair have a well price product.

And there ends the mini TR.

 

[RB]

Thanks for the report. The food certainly looks the goods

 

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Points & SC earning FYI:

Description	Base	Cabin	Status	Total	Status
points	bonus	bonus	points	credits
AY 880 BUSINESS PARIS/HELSINKI	1,182	296	-	1,478	60
AY 095 BUSINESS HELSINKI/BANGKOK	4,922	1,231	-	6,153	140

 

[Isochronous]

What was pricing? Interested to compare Europe J fares via HEL on AY with RJ via AMM, since both can originate in BKK or HKG.

 

[docjames]

Interesting TR thanks.

CDG-HEL-BKK would be easier to take than BKK-HEL-CDG as the step down in J product from HEL-CDG would be awful.

Much like having to transit SYD or LHR really......

 

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What was pricing? Interested to compare Europe J fares via HEL on AY with RJ via AMM, since both can originate in BKK or HKG.

It was $971.64 on my 28 deg MC booked about 5 months out. Again was a promo type ticket.
But posted full SCs so was happy. Looking at it now seems prices are higher. Also the value of
the THB vs the AUD will also make a diference as it was booked in THB.

Domestic J was better on RJ but long haul was better on AY IMHO as AY was fully flat vs RJ angled seat.

The AY lounge in HEL was nicer than RJ in AMM.

But in real terms much of a much.

 

[nonpop]

Interesting TR thanks.

CDG-HEL-BKK would be easier to take than BKK-HEL-CDG as the step down in J product from HEL-CDG would be awful.

Much like having to transit SYD or LHR really......

But at least it is only a small hop. And row 1 is comfortable on AY but any domestic J cabin seat on RJ is better.

 

[craven morehead]

Great report, thanks :mrgreen: