For my second back-to-back redeye, it was time to fly Finnair’s A350-900 business class from Helsinki to Singapore. I had flown Finnair’s A350 business class from New York to Helsinki a few years ago, but was curious how the experience to Asia compared, especially as they’ve made some updates to their service.
Continue reading: Review: Finnair A350 Business Class
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
My two biggest issues on a similar flight with AY on that plane:
1) The cheese grater vents in the footwell became annoying to my toes after a few hours.
2) I was really thirsty, and every time I tried to get some water to drink it was served in those cute little glasses. I must have rang the call bell to get water 3 times and each time it was another cute little glass only half full of water. It made me appreciate the big water bottles the other airlines give you.
It was a daytime flight from HKG - HEL and it was very nice. But those were the two annoying things that stuck out from that flight.
Otherwise it was similar to your review. Thanks for sharing it.
I flew AY in July 2019 from HEL-BKK and HKG-HEL on the A350. Did I like it as much as CX business class? I most certainly did not. Was I comfortable and felt like I got decent value for the money? Absolutely, the experience was solid not flashy.
@Lucky - Great review. What was the "Pre-Order" notation next to most of the alcoholic beverages in the menu meant to signify?
Agreed! I don't get why AY get so much love and buzz from other bloggers and 'influencers' but their product is fine, maybe solid but not memorable.
The seats, even the reverse herringbone on A350, seem a bit cheap on the finishes and actual functions. IFE has very limited content which is a minus for a 10+h flight. The food does not look like gourmet grade at all (always declined their meals onboard). The crew is hardly WOW.
HEL is a pleasant and efficient connecting point and AY do look stylish. That said, I just don't get the buzz there.
Interested to hear how you'd compare this to SAS longhaul biz since I'm looking at a Scandanavia trip next year.
How did you score such a good cash price for this ticket? Where did you book it? Directly at Finnair or somewhere else?
@DLPTATL - The "Pre-Order" indicates that you can pre-order those drinks for duty free collection on your next flight. Finnair go big on duty free and they encourage you to pre-order from the extensive online duty-free website for delivery during your next eligible flight.
@Terence - You've always declined AY meals?!? It's obviously a matter of taste, but I've always found the catering to do a great job at reflecting Scandinavian food - lots of fresh, woodland ingredients and flavours. It's a shame that Lucky didn't pre-order the reindeer for his supper (Finnair offers 3-4 pre-order meals online a month before the flight) - it's always delicious.
I always enjoyed my long haul flights on AY to/from HEL-BKK when I lived in Bangkok. Always pre-ordered the reindeer entrée! While not the fanciest J product/experience out there, I have been very satisfied with what I've received, given the fares I've snagged (under $1,800 to/from Europe, just under $3,000 to/from the States or Canada). I don't believe there's another European flag carrier that gives you a better feel for its home nation than AY...maybe KL with its cute little touches here and there? Coupled with the ease of connecting through HEL and you've got a great option...just wish it was easier to redeem with them using AS Mileage Plan.
Long time reader, first time commenting. This may be a bit nit-picky, but this seems like a very poorly planned out meal service. Essentially the options for the main course are: (i) cod with Mushrooms, (ii) lamb with Mushroom sauce, (ii) salad with Mushrooms and (iv) Mushroom soup. Isn't the point of having four options to cater to various preferences, dietary restrictions, etc?
I flew MAD-HEL-HKG a couple of years ago... on the first leg, a Spanish based crew, that spoke Spanish, a bit of English and no Finnish... onwards to Hong Kong, we had an Asian based crew! I’m beginning to think that “local crews” are a figment of imagination for Finnair! I guess it’s how they manage to remain competitive with low costs!
A cheap paid fare for sure. Otherwise this looks completely boring as both a soft and hard product. The menu was dismal...I'm surprised there was not a single asian twist to the menu given the destination.
Nice review and thanks, Ben
I have a soft spot for Finnair as my first ever long haul flight was with them on an MD 11 to Tokyo. But despite all the recent marketing they've done about enhancing the onboard product it just seems kind of ordinary. Like they are content with being just ok. The blanket and pillow are a good example! If you're going to serve a business class dinner on 1 tray maybe that makes sense to save time on a night flight, but it was still a 2 hr service so not quick and it just looks a bit too mediocre. Having said that if they are cheaper than the competition, and they often are, then I can live without a Qatar style dinner if I'm saving 300 euros. I wish they would make maybe 10% more effort and they would be more compelling.
Ich frage einfach mal auf Deutsch, fandest du die Club Suite oder den A350 von AY besser? Als Deutscher mit OW Saphire stehe ich oft vor der Wahl zwischen AY und BA (Iberia mit Absicht mal außen vor), bei AY bin ich, da ich meist in die USA muss, jedoch nur den A330 bisher geflogen. Hast du da einen klaren Gewinner? Bin selbst sehr gespannt auf meine Suite Flug nach YYZ nächste Woche. Grüße aus Deiner zweiten Heimat
Thanks for the review. I love Finland and the city of Helsinki, but don't see much incentive to fly on Finnair. The food looks bad and for someone who doesn't really care for fish or mushrooms, I don't think I'd be able to eat anything on that flight. Nordic cuisine can be worldclass but not everyone wants to eat things like Reindeer on an airplane, especially considering that Finnair is trying to attract connecting traffic between Europe and Asia.
I quite prefer SK, and in fact would rate SK as my favorite Star Alliance business class product across the Atlantic. The catering is miles above what's offered on Finnair, and the new seats are equally good.
Two more minor points to add:
1) AY's IFE does seem to have a large selection in the total amount, however, the new content is lacking.
2) Interestingly, AY's A350 is among the very few where the first row of J does not offer any extra footrest space (rather than what you'll find on CX/AA's first row of mini and main J cabins).
3) I had chatted with some on HEL-SIN (a couple times). A lead FA said that they are contracted with a company in Finland or somewhere in Europe, and that they only work on HEL-SIN/ICN.
It's Finn, it's stylish in a minimalist way. Yet, from the seats to IFE content, and the food choices & staffing, there is just a hint of cost-saving of AY, targeting Asia-Europe/NA backpackers and discount J buyers. I think it's a smart model, but just not the shiny experience one would have hoped given the buzz from others.
Not sure if it's because I am an One World Emerald or not but the purser on my BKK-HEL flight came by and asked if I wanted a memory foam pillow in addition to the pillow that was already at my seat. May be worth asking for one, if not proactively offered.
Finnair used to offer Bose headphones, (that was in your JFK-HEL A350 report). Seems like a bit of cost cutting going on, even AA invested in B&O for first and business.
I've heard bad things about the Hong Kong based Finnair crews. But then I heard bad things about the London-based Cathay crews as well. Is it an outstation thing?
@Tom - thanks for the explanation on Duty Free wine for purchase onboard. That’s a new one to me.
The ads have gotten really big/annoying again! What’s up with that? For a while they were actually a tolerable size.
You are probably not familiar with iittala wares, Marimekko accessories, and Finnish thinking in general. Otherwise, I am sure you'd appreciate the experience much more.
The iittala glassware and marimekko accents are quintessentially Finnish, however I have had issues with the out-station crews (not very personable, seemed to be just doing their job but as you say, the flight was not memorable). That being said, for the very low paid business fares, particularly ex BKK or the combination fares ex Australia with QF/AY to Europe, they are a very attractive option (circa $3,700 USD r/t from AUS to most capital cities in Europe) or ex BKK to US/Canada r/t circa $2,300 USD). Great way to make some serious progress to attaining or re-qualifying for OW status. I believe the outstation crew system has only been in place for a few years.
They have the worst customer service I've ever dealt with (for certain issues you have now choice but to call them). Pretty much the only company I've decided to boycott simply due to their customer service. It wasn't just down to rudeness; in fact the majority of the the reps were quite nice...they were just so terribly inept.
@Airways and Travels. It's nice to see someone who appreciates Finnish design. Yet, while their accents and glassware might be oh so very Finnish it still does not translate well in the context of providing a warm and comfortable seat in Business. Nor does it make the food or sleeping better.
As an example, Four Seasons and Aman will incorporate minimal design into their hotels but compliment it with proper comfort which will appeal to all. That is perfection in being design forward with an understanding of cozy.
Finally, just because one may "not be familiar" about Marimekko or iittala does not make it less so as to an experience. And to assume that others are lost in translation in not comprehending Finnish design - and thereby lacking credibility to judge a business class offering - is, well, elitist at best.
Shame the carrier is so unfriendly to those with allergies. Can't see how this family could get on one of their planes.
! the cargo ships "approaching" the coastline" ; You do mean "anchored" outside the harbour ?
As someone else asked, where did you find and how did you book this cheap J flight? From an OTA?
Regarding 6 hour sleep: I fly TK Mia Ist every year and always wake up over Atlantic thanksto turbulence or doctor announcements. Is this specific to Turkish Airlines ?
How would you have booked a Finnair Business Class award tickets if you hadn’t paid? I always check AA, BA, CX and they never have award space on Finnair! Thanks
I won't fly AY with outstation crews, especially the HKG based ones. I flew AY BKK-HEL-HKG in J and the BKK leg was amazing (Finnish crew with one or two Thai crew) but the HKG flight was staffed by mostly rude, unpleasant Hong Kong staff with just one keen but very inexperienced crew member who at least tried. I love the Iitala glassware (in fact I have it at home too) and marimekko design and the overall minimalist and practical nature of AY (QR it isn't), but I won't fly them to SIN/HKG because of those outstation crew.
I agree with someone from earlier, SK J is brilliant.
@Bim
Unless there is some crazy deal, wouldn't flying BKK-HKG be much better than going all the way to transit in HEL?
Did you use the wifi, didn't OWE get free wifi for the whole flight anymore? (even if it just says AY Plat).
Free wifi + great lounge + A350 for a very decent price are more than enough to keep flying AY to Asia.
Doing AY J A359 HEL-NRT in the new year.
Anyone have any idea whether these flights have Finnish crews? I really can imagine it would be economic to maintain Tokyo-based crew.
The fruit plate looked boring, since I don't care for pineapple. Fortunately (very I'd say) I'm quite partial to blueberries!
Absolutely love the glassware on Finnair. Ultima Thule
https://www.finnairshop.com/en/home-kids/tableware/glasses
http://www.inspiredcitizen.com/iittalaglassware/
Finnair looks fine, but I've never been overly impressed when I've seen reports about their Business Class. The food looks a bit lacking, and I'm surprised they would offer a choice of appetizers instead of serving both of them.
The blueberry cocktail sounds good though!
I have been flying with finnair from Helsinki to Bangkok for the past 4 years. Indeed their fares are great for business class. However my gluten free meal is always the same, with chicken and boiled potatoes. The absence of individual air outlet is a big minus as I tend to get a headache due to lack of air.
@Matt Couldn't agree more about the 'mushrooms with everything" main course offerings
The Singapore-based crew, are they mainly from Singapore or from other parts of Asia, too? Do they speak Finnish?
I have often flown Finnair to Asia from Manchester UK and found them to be the best. Mainly because it is 12 hours MAN-PVG, for example, including the stopover, whereas other airlines take longer.
I can sleep most of the way ofvthe longhaul section, which is what I want from business class.
Completely agree on the air vent comment by a previous reader, after ten hours it felt like a cheese grater. Footwell a bit tight for comfortable sleep, but otherwise found the seat pretty good. In the past have used Cathay almost exclusively from HKG-LHR but they are often twice the price of Finnair and the hard product is often shabby and incredibly dusty (not helped by the fabric seats), I’d go Finnair again or Qatar in preference to the the direct flight.
@matt my sentiments exactly - mushrooms, mushrooms, and more mushrooms! Surprised the breakfast didn't also include mushrooms.
Totally agreed on the super rude outstation HK based crew, like in general the service attitude of HK... I have flown several times with AY J to NRT/KIX, HKG, CAN, only to find the outstation HK based crew is unbearable, others are pretty OK. AY uses to serve all Finns crew, now I can see them cutting the cost at least from this
Have just got home (Melbourne) after flying to London via Hong Kong - HEL I requested Finnair because it’s a shorter fly time and I love a little stopover in Helsinki. All went well, the Hong King crew were keen to feed us and turned up the heat . I was in Window seat 2L, the footwell is squishy and I am only 5ft. Gone are the Bose headphones!! Marimekko packs no longer have L’Occtaine. Very sparse. Movie section very boring. But here’s the thing, on the journey home, same seat 2L A350 the wall trim was stuck up with gaffer tape. Very expensive gaffer tape I was told. Another hot plane trip. I complained about the gaffer tape (my round trip airfare was AU$8,800) so I think I paid top dollar for January flights. Finnair offered me 2,000 points. Finnair has the hardest point system to negotiate and I think they left off a few noughts!! Cathay Pacific has more leg room. I’m thinking twice before doing Finnair again.
I'm wondering whether the NRT-HEL Business is better. Guessing it will not be staffed with HK crews, hopefully HEL-based crews.
Anyone with experience flying this route ?
Hi Ben.
As a Finn, I have some thoughts of the service and that.
As long haul, surprisingly few flights even having the status there. The only long haul C-class enjoy was to come home HKG-HEL (i.e. HKG based crew, as SIN is having their own) as a part of my spouse's rescue operation. That particular one was a delight. Crew was attentive, service was on spot. NOW, we did get of course a special attention as ex-patriation, BUT, the crew was outstanding. Hands down of the local finnish crews.
We had a delay due to tech delay. And this is actually funny. One crew member at mid galley addressed us all to have champange. There were numerous people just hanging aroung aftyer two or so hours of embarkation and still no-go. They were happy. Time passed, I was at that time alone at the galley's side. And this nice lady sighed, I would like to take some... 🙂 I understood the feeling, when every single soul was requesting to leave and nothing happened. We all are humans.
Rgds from HEL.