Finnair has just opened a new Schengen lounge at Helsinki Airport (HEL), and it even has a dedicated area for oneworld Emerald members. This sounds like a huge improvement over the previous setup…
In this post:
Details of the new Finnair Lounge Helsinki Airport
As of July 9, 2024, Finnair has opened its new lounge at Helsinki Airport. This lounge is located in the Schengen area, which is primarily for short haul flights within the Schengen zone. Specifically, it’s near gate 21 (on the third floor), and it’s open daily from 5AM until 12AM.
The new lounge completely replaces the old lounge, and follows the same palette and design introduced in the carrier’s non-Schengen lounges in 2019. As it’s described, the lounge’s new design “captures the essence of the Nordics with wooden textures, soft forms, and warm colours.”
In addition to all-new design, the lounge is also seeing capacity increase by around 50% compared to the previous facility, with the ability to accommodate up to 440 guests. The new lounge facility is split into two areas:
- There’s the standard business class lounge, for oneworld business class passengers and oneworld Sapphire members
- There’s the Platinum Corner, for oneworld Emerald members; it’s also possible to upgrade from the standard section of the lounge to the premium section of the lounge for just €30 or 4,800 Avios
Each section of the lounge features dedicated zones for dining, working, resting, and spending time with travel companions. Unfortunately there’s no sauna, though, unlike in the non-Schengen lounge area.
Below is a video as well as some pictures that Finnair has shared of the new lounge facility. It looks very nice, I must say!
This new lounge concept looks great!
I’m really impressed by the direction that Finnair is taking, at least when it comes to its premium products. Finnair has now completely overhauled its long haul business class, so you’ll find the carrier’s unique no-recline business class on all A330s and A350s.
On top of that, the airline refreshed its non-Schengen lounges in 2019, and has now refreshed its Schengen lounges. Helsinki Airport is in general such a pleasure to transit, and is so much better than virtually any other hub in the region, especially other oneworld hubs, like London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
I also really like how Finnair has dedicated lounges for oneworld Emerald members, despite not offering a first class. It’s the only oneworld airline without first class to have a better than business class lounge for oneworld Emerald members (well, technically Malaysia Airlines doesn’t have first class, but it does have Business Suite).
I enjoyed my visit to the Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki (the oneworld Emerald lounge in the non-Schengen area), and I look forward to visiting this new lounge as well.
Now, in fairness, Finnair’s economy experience is pretty bare bones, and leaves a lot to be desired. The airline doesn’t even offer pillows in long haul economy.
Bottom line
Finnair has opened its new Schengen lounge. The lounge has a capacity around 50% higher than the old lounge, and features a new design, with runway views. On top of that, the lounge has a dedicated Platinum Corner, for oneworld Emerald members, offering an elevated experience.
Kudos to Finnair for its continued investment in the passenger experience. Choosing Finnair over other airlines in the region keeps becoming an easier choice.
What do you make of Finnair’s new lounge?
This looks so much nicer than the non-Schengen AY lounge at HEL, which is dark, dreary, and lacks natural light. I was in there about 4 days ago and while it is quite spacious, it felt rather depressing.
There was this line in the previous version of the article, which has been removed now, but I’m posting it again because I found it to be so interesting.
I was in the lounge yesterday but didn’t realize it was opening day, otherwise I might have paid more attention. I was in the lounge for only ~10 minutes to grab a quick coffee. The food was indeed nothing to write home about. I think there was a shower or two, with a similar system to ones in the non-Schengen lounge. The lounge has great apron views, and it was very quiet when I was...
I was in the lounge yesterday but didn’t realize it was opening day, otherwise I might have paid more attention. I was in the lounge for only ~10 minutes to grab a quick coffee. The food was indeed nothing to write home about. I think there was a shower or two, with a similar system to ones in the non-Schengen lounge. The lounge has great apron views, and it was very quiet when I was there around 8:30 in the morning. Frankly, overall, I think it’s a fine place to wait for a connecting flight, but given how efficient Helsinki airport is, if I were originating in HEL for a Schengen flight (and with priority access), I’d just aim to arrive at the airport 10-15 minutes before boarding. Not worth arriving at the airport early just for the lounge.
Having also gone through LHR, AMS, and ARN all in the span of a week, HEL truly is a dream of an airport, now that the construction is pretty much finished.
Right on time for me. I have a flight via Helsinki in early August. Looking forward trying the lounge.
The lounge only opens at 5:30 in the morning.
And rumour has it that even the Platinum side only offers the same inedible elementary school cafeteria stuff that they used to offer in the old Schengen lounge, no improvements whatsoever. What a disappointment.
Finnair long haul economy does leave a lot to be desired.
Alcohol can be expensive in Scandinavia. So it is a very popular purchase in the air.
On our flight the last few rows of economy were mobbed with passengers trying to buy more liquor from the aft galley.
Wait till you take the ferry. ;)