Update: Read my full Finnair Business Class A350 New York To Helsinki review.
Hello from Helsinki, where I’m presently chilling out and waiting for my next flight (no pun intended). 😉
Suffice to say I was in absolute shock when I got here, given that I’ve spent most of the past few months in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Australia/New Zealand. While I knew it would be cold, I couldn’t really conceptualize just how cold it would be. Like, it was so cold outside that I felt like I was suffocating.
Anyway, I flew the Finnair A350 from New York to Helsinki. That was exciting, given that Finnair flew the plane on the route for just a bit over week (otherwise Finnair just flies the A350 to Asia).
I’m on a super-quick trip at the moment, and I’m going go try something different with the trip report this time around, and I’m curious what you guys think. This is just a quick trip to review Finnair business class and Air India first class, so I’ll only be gone for a few days.
Usually I write my trip reports after the trip, while this time around I’m writing my trip report as I go along. In other words, when I get back to the US my trip report will already be completely written, and I’ll start publishing it the day I get back.
Usually I offer a mini-review of flights after I take them, but given that I’m publishing my Finnair A350 business class review in just a few days, I figured I might as well hold off on that.
Instead I’ll just leave you guys with 10 pictures from my Finnair A350 flight between New York and Helsinki last night, as a teaser:
The scenery on approach was stunning, and 43,000 feet is also the highest I ever recall flying. Stay tuned for more on the actual product in the coming days. And in the meantime, wish me luck on Air India. 😉
@Rob
Lucky once mentioned a Jewish connection in his family (half maybe?) when he made some statements that were perceived by some as anti-Israeli. He justified the statements by saying "I'm part Jewish." (Implying it was ok to make the statements.)
@GBOAC
My flight on BA001 occurred at 58800 ft. Your comment brings back wonderful memories.
All of my travels on the dreamliner (my favorite aircraft) have also been at 43000 ft. It helps to to reduce aerodynamic drag and allows the jet engine to operate more efficiently. Furthermore global wind currents are more predictable and consistent at higher altitudes enabling pilots to make fewer heading corrections to account for weather.
Not sure how I feel about the cabin in the pics. The layout appears similar to that on my recent...
All of my travels on the dreamliner (my favorite aircraft) have also been at 43000 ft. It helps to to reduce aerodynamic drag and allows the jet engine to operate more efficiently. Furthermore global wind currents are more predictable and consistent at higher altitudes enabling pilots to make fewer heading corrections to account for weather.
Not sure how I feel about the cabin in the pics. The layout appears similar to that on my recent travels on Air Canada's international biz but not a big fan of Finn Air's regions and colors.
Very interested in AI review since it is of actual relevance and since I've had generally good experiences on the airline in the past.
Based on my experience, Air India will treat you well. Things are ok as long as nothing unusual happens. Should something go wrong, very few are authorized to take corrective actions. That's where the bad rep comes from.
@Loz What makes you say Lucky is Jewish? I could be wrong, but I've never seen him mention that. Since you're talking about prejudice and drawing conclusions about people's ethnicities, perhaps you should examine your own tendencies along those lines...
I'm sorry but that looks like a premium economy meal at best, especially with everything served at once. That's a big disappointment. Then again, egalitarianism is so hardwired into the cultural D.N.A. of the Nordic countries that it's probably very, very difficult to get any real "first-class" or "upscale" service.
LOZ. How very dare you lol.
Nice photo teaser.
As someone else also said, what's up with the meal. I initially thought you flew Economy and had to scroll back. The meal service does not seem to be of long haul business class standard. I look forward to your full report.
That glassware through!
Ben you're walking right into a trap. DEL has been experiencing delays of 2-5 hours since the past few days.The fog in Delhi is going to screw up your flight schedule. There is a 50% chance you'll miss your connection to SFO and will have to spend 2 days in DEL for the next flight. Or get rebooked on ANA via NRT. But where is the fun in that
Wow love your photos please what camera do you use and do AY allowed you to use flash if you did use the flash?
I was particularly interested in the multiple comments about flying at high altitudes in Lucky's post given that today (1/21) is the 40th anniversary of the first commercial Concorde flights which routinely climbed to 55,000 to 60,000 ft.
My one and only Concorde flight maxed out at 56,500 ft.
Looking forward to both full reviews; also hoping, like others, that the AI review steers well clear of any stereotypes.
Lucky, i really like the quick post flight highlight reel, if you will. Great idea!
With Finnair, I too love Vantaa as an airport. So easy and pleasant. And even the Priority Pass lounges are pretty nice!
That A350 looks lovely, too. Reverse herringbone seats - look like the same or very similar as on QR. Plus Marimekko soft goods and Iittala glassware? It's a Finnish greatest hits show in the sky! Love it!
Love the cabin ambiance and the pattern on the pillow, slippers and bag. But what's with that meal? That usually what I see transatlantic in economy - the same salad dressing and everything! Maybe they save on catering so that you can take the glasses home as a gift like KLM's little dutch houses ;)
Thank you for your informative and concise comment, Elijah. I hope you're aware that you contribute less to humanity than a cockroach does, because at least cockroaches eat up germs and all the nasties instead of trolling people on the Internet.
And before Tommy above wants to accuse me of being a 'libtard' or something... I'm a pretty right-wing-leaning Indian. Probably far more than you are. So you can leave me out of the...
Thank you for your informative and concise comment, Elijah. I hope you're aware that you contribute less to humanity than a cockroach does, because at least cockroaches eat up germs and all the nasties instead of trolling people on the Internet.
And before Tommy above wants to accuse me of being a 'libtard' or something... I'm a pretty right-wing-leaning Indian. Probably far more than you are. So you can leave me out of the 'libtard westerner' box, which is probably who you were targeting, and check the 'person who stands up for themself against unwarranted slander' box.
Seriously, Lucky should consider staying some e-pesticide over the comments section and getting rid of people like you. You're the ones who keep saying all kinds of divisive stuff and then whining when people respond to it.
Loz go back to your knitting.
Liz go back to your knitting.
Great review and love the snow. Also love the chuckle provided to me by Tom above. Chuckling because of how brain-dead he is.
No, Tom, perhaps mommy and daddy didn't teach you manners, but trash-talking someone by virtue of their ethnic background or even slightly insinuating it in any way is never acceptable. Least of all because of an airline that in no way represents the average person belonging to that ethnic background, or...
Great review and love the snow. Also love the chuckle provided to me by Tom above. Chuckling because of how brain-dead he is.
No, Tom, perhaps mommy and daddy didn't teach you manners, but trash-talking someone by virtue of their ethnic background or even slightly insinuating it in any way is never acceptable. Least of all because of an airline that in no way represents the average person belonging to that ethnic background, or else I'm pretty sure we'd have quite a lot of things to say about one or two American carriers.
Then again, I doubt you would know how it feels because you have never had to put up with racial insults in the comments section of an article pertaining to the airline of the country you hail from, eh? Keep your stormfront-peppered talk to yourself, because I'm pretty sure Lucky is sensible enough to stay away from your borderline stormfront nonsense as a Jew. Seriously can't believe the very act of not slandering people racially now counts as 'political correctness'. By all means, feel free to go to nonwhite countries and spout some un-politically correct phrases in the name of free speech. Perhaps even say something anti-Islamic in an Emirates first class lounge in Dubai for banter.
As for Lucky, I'm counting on you to do the right thing and report your AI trip truthfully and accurately without throwing in unnecessary stereotypes to pander to the 1950s cockroaches that infest the comments section of your blog. Cheers.
Was everything on schedule on the a350? From everything I read about Finnair on Flyertalk, they seem to really be having trouble with the new planes.
Looks like you were in 3A, or thereabouts.
I took the same seat for their inaugural HEL-LHR A350 flight, before they'd sent them on long haul, for crew familiarisation. Was a great aircraft, still unsure if I prefer the A330 J seats or these. Absolutely loved the Aurora Borealis lightshow on board.
Ensure you get into the premium lounge in HEL if you can.
The last picture (on the ground) is gorgeous. Looking forward to the full review.
Looks beautiful and I am a huge sucker for that glassware; but that food looks like there's a lot left to be desired.
I watch (boring I know!) flight radar quite a bit and it is quite surprising how many flights that travel at over 40,000ft whilst flying from Europe to America and beyond. I look forward to your full review, I quite like the fact you have posted a mini report but I always like the main reviews. Thanks.
It's funny what interests people. I'm also struck by the 43,000 number. I once got diverted up to 42,000 in a 757 flying domestically; and that also appears to be the plane's service ceiling. I've never been over 39,000 before or since.
And here's a personal heads up: The "anti-racist" crowd already has its knives out for you on the Air India review. So I'd be even more careful there than you usually are . . . assuming you care about that particular crowd.
Oh, and Finnair looks fantastic! I just can't get over how good all these A350s look, both inside and out! Can't wait to fly on one, especially after touring MSN002 this summer.
Wow, 43,000 is high. The highest I've ever flown is 41,000ft. On a 737. Which also happens to be the service ceiling of 737NG. But the air conditioner was broken, so I was much more focused on the heat wave than the altitude at which we were flying.
Next time you want to experience suffocating cold just go to Minneapolis. It is closer than Finland. :)
It's rare to go above FL410 in the US (amongst airlines) because there is an FAA reg that requires at least one crew member to wear the O2 mask at all times above FL410 (for part 121, scheduled air carriers). Needless to say, pilots don't really like wearing the masks when they don't need to, so they will usually just stay at 400 or 410 even if the a/c can go higher.
Love those slippers!!!
Great idea to do 10 photos then review later.
@Erik
Not Arik Air, you flew Hi Fly. Plane has been on lease to Arik Air last 6 years
Google CS-TFX the plane you most likely was on. Think it was order together with an sister aircraft by Kingfisher, but never taken up from Airbus.
I flew Finnair on this route in August on the old 330. Thought it was a pretty decent product even then. Love the glassware and the transit experience in Helsinki was so easy. I'd definitely choose them again for a business flight
I flew this route less than 2 weeks ago going the other direction (JFK-HEL) in business class. From the few trip reports I found on this route, I was expecting to fly their A330 with lay-flat seats and the staggered 1-2 configuration on the sides and 2-2 down the middle.
I was quite surprised upon boarding to discover a lounge area and bar. From what I could piece together by looking at signage and literature,...
I flew this route less than 2 weeks ago going the other direction (JFK-HEL) in business class. From the few trip reports I found on this route, I was expecting to fly their A330 with lay-flat seats and the staggered 1-2 configuration on the sides and 2-2 down the middle.
I was quite surprised upon boarding to discover a lounge area and bar. From what I could piece together by looking at signage and literature, seems that they were flying an Arik Air A340-500 (Nigerian airline). I looked around the internet after the trip but couldn't find any reports about the swap, perhaps they leased some of their fleet?
The seats were lay-flat and the cabin was comfortable enough. The seats looked as though they could use a refresh but everything else met expectations (except the AVOD, which was broken for both mine and traveling partners seat). The small lounge area had 2 couches and bar with 3 stools. It wasn't staffed during the flight but it was nice to have a space to stretch out and socialize.
Anyways, was just curious if you happened to know anything about this? I took some pics of the cabin if you have any interest...
Why were they flying that high? Or is that normal flying Helsinki?
Good luck on Air India.
Since you did not like the temperature I'm going to assume seeing the Northern lights in TOS/LYR is right out?
43,000, wow! Apparently the service ceiling of the aircraft is 43,100, according to Wikipedia.
That lighting (plus your screenshot) makes that cabin look really cold.
It's been a couple of years since my last Finnair flight but they used to have a full spa at Vaanta outside Schengen, with many different steam/sauna/soaking treatments. A pity they removed it.
The A350 looks like a BIG improvement over their old business class (the 321?), and it's a relief to see they replaced the paper bag amenity kits (you had to ask for most of the products!). The food, unfortunately, looks the same,...
It's been a couple of years since my last Finnair flight but they used to have a full spa at Vaanta outside Schengen, with many different steam/sauna/soaking treatments. A pity they removed it.
The A350 looks like a BIG improvement over their old business class (the 321?), and it's a relief to see they replaced the paper bag amenity kits (you had to ask for most of the products!). The food, unfortunately, looks the same, though I always liked the Ittaala glasses.
Do the FAs still wear black leather gloves during boarding?
I'm really looking forward to your complete trip report on Finnair product.
Next time you should try the stopover programm - and a finish sauna & jump into the frozen sea (well there will be a hole in the ice)
Love the pictures. That food sure doesn't look like it's, um, food?
43,000 FT is really high, impressive as most carriers don't seem to fly over 40,000
Awesome! Can't wait for the reviews coming up.
I love how Finnair provides Marimekko amenities in business class!