Skipping through Helsinki

[Skyring]

I was rather pleased to find that I could get from Osaka to Istanbul without transiting LHR. Our flight into Helsinki arrives at 1510, flight out at 1640 (Mon 12 Apr).

I'm assuming that will be plenty of time for shopping, afternoon tea, stroll in the gardens and maybe a reindeer ride before catching the sleigh back to HEL.

 

[MelUser]

That's fine. I have done HEL in an hour and that is crossing from International to European via passport control.

You will stay in the international section.

The only thing that is a pain is that you are rescreened downstairs before being allowed upstairs and they confiscate water as water is considered to be a security risk.

 

[drron]

I was rather pleased to find that I could get from Osaka to Istanbul without transiting LHR. Our flight into Helsinki arrives at 1510, flight out at 1640 (Mon 12 Apr).

I'm assuming that will be plenty of time for shopping, afternoon tea, stroll in the gardens and maybe a reindeer ride before catching the sleigh back to HEL.

Gosh,so close-miss you by just 18 weeks.:shock:

 

[anat0l]

I'm assuming that will be plenty of time for shopping, afternoon tea, stroll in the gardens and maybe a reindeer ride before catching the sleigh back to HEL.

It'll be a cold day in HEL when that happens.

:mrgreen:


Sorry, it had to be said. Have fun, nonetheless.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I was rather pleased to find that I could get from Osaka to Istanbul without transiting LHR. Our flight into Helsinki arrives at 1510, flight out at 1640 (Mon 12 Apr).

I'm assuming that will be plenty of time for shopping, afternoon tea, stroll in the gardens and maybe a reindeer ride before catching the sleigh back to HEL.

Looks like you miss the MD11 as they are all being retired.

A lot of flights from Asia land at that time so there is a bunch of corridors to go through before going through security and to the non schegen area, it might seem to take a while at the start but its then is very quick at the end as you don't go through any passport control; 1 hour 40 minutes it plenty; there are not a lot of shops in the that area anyway.

There is a oneworld lounge but me being only QF Club bronze I couldn't use it as its general purpose for Finnair long distance and British Airways.

 

[Mal]

plenty of time for shopping, afternoon tea, stroll in the gardens and maybe a reindeer ride before catching the sleigh back to HEL.

Did a similar conx a few weeks ago (Finnair HKG-HEL-LHR). As has been commented, there is security re-screening HKG-HEL-X, but not LHR-HEL-x) - obviously they only trust scanning done in the EU [or similar].

It took about 45 mins for re-screening due to the queues on the middle floor. (Apparently there is also a security area on the bottom floor which may be quicker).

HEL airport itself is functional and relatively pleasant but tailored towards high end shopping. Cafe's etc are well overpriced although the food looked ok.

Didn't see reindeer stew on the menu.

 

[Mal]

There is a oneworld lounge but me being only QF Club bronze I couldn't use it as its general purpose for Finnair long distance and British Airways.

Their new via Lounge is a poor lounge anyway IMHO. I actually prefer their old non-shengen lounge, which perhaps is still there as the "Gateway Fresh Lounge".

The via Lounge is a money making venture with many items charged for, but basic selections free. You can buy access IIRC.

 

[RB]

My main recollection is that staff didn't havethe spine to enforce the no smoking regulation when we were there. Go toast your own bread type service.