Finnair Business Class

[sng1971]

Hi,

I'm booking some award flights for next year and was wondering if anyone had flown Finnair (it will be HKG-Helsinki-LHR) business class. If so, would you recommend it and how does it compare to say Qantas. The other option is BA first, but that's an extra 70,000 points, so I'd rather save them if Finnair is ok.

Thanks in advance.

[JohnK]

I only ever flew business class on the MD11's short haul BKK-SIN and BKK-HKG but it is their long haul product. I like the service although most FAs are a little older, seats are very comfortable but not as good as the QF skybed, food is nice and alcohol flows freely. I have also heard their new A343s are good but I don't they are used on the HKG-HEL route.

As far as I am aware, and someone can correct me on this point, Finnair regional business class product would be very ordinary. I think business class seats are the same as economy seats except the business class cabin is separated from the WHY cabin with a curtain.

[simongr]

On my FRA-HEL-LHR AY flights the seats were very similar to BA CE - the seating was A-C and DEF.

Food was ok but not stellar.

[garyjohn951]

Did HK - HEL back in June with Finnair in J. Was a MD11. Serve was great, food similiar to QF/BA. The Skybeds were very similiar to QF, they did not lie down fully. Quite a nice airy cabin. Movies were limited like BA system.
Would recommend.
We flew onto St Petersburg on their Regional service, J was exactly the same as BA Europe seating. XX XXX

[alect]

on AY intra-Europe I think it depends on the aircraft used - as some even though they have AC DEF, they keep E empty - you can get confirmation over on FT about this point if it's important.

[vt]

LHR-HEL...definitely ordingary conomy seats in the business class section. very very mcuh a let down

[garyjohn951]

LHR-HEL...definitely ordingary conomy seats in the business class section. very very mcuh a let down

Tell me an airline that flies point to point in europe that has better J class seating the BA or AY ?

[vt]

Tell me an airline that flies point to point in europe that has better J class seating the BA or AY ?

Not sure what you are after there. Also not sure about such a tone. I was relaying my experience to the OP. Specifically, I was relaying my experience to LHR-HEL as having economy seating as business.

Please dont attack someone relaying their experience, the OP asked about HKG-HEL-LHR. I was relaying a LHR-HEL flight I had earlier this month.

I was also responding to JohnK's question about economy seats as business.

[ozmerish]

Did LHR-HEL-LHR last month in AY J.

The seats are same as in whY, but as in earlier posts, the centre seat is blocked. I prefer the BA CE seat, but the AY seat is not uncomfortable.

Service on AY is efficient and the crew polite - never had a bad experience in say, 20 sectors over the last 5 years.

I also prefer the J catering on AY vs BA CE.

This trip was the first time I have flown into HEL when there was no snow. Beautiful countryside and glad I moved over to the window to enjoy the view. AY also has the nose camera which allows views of takeoff and landing.

Swings and roundabouts. I fly both carriers and enjoy both.

[garyjohn951]

Sorry if I affended but that was not the point I was trying to make. There has been a lot of discussion on inter-european travel and for some reason many persons expect J in Europe to be Long Haul J, which it is bl..dy well not.
I have found both BA and AY and even IB to be very good in J. While the seating is ordinary, there is space between two people, depending on the side of plane, food good, drinks good, etc etc.
BUT do not expect it to be anything other than glorified Y.
As I said at the start many expect Long Haul J and they are dreamers.