Finnair

✅ Verified Review | Booked three AY flights but ended up flying not a single AY plane. Vienna - Helsinki - Kemi-Tornio and Helsinki - Vienna in Economy last July. At the time of booking all three segments were to be operated by Finnair jets. Since then obvious cost cutting measures have set in and the domestic HEL-KEM segment was outsourced to Norra, which operated an old and tatty ATR-72 turboprob on this 90 minute segment, while the VIE-HEL and HEL-VIE segments were now operated by LCC carrier Air Berlin (with a Finnish cabin crew). It was the first time I flew (or actually did not) Finnair since they changed to a low cost service model. Everything is extra (checked luggage is extra, reserving even a middle seat at the back incurs extra charges, booking directly with them on their website incurs an extra service fee and snacks and drinks are for a charge). However water, coffee, tea and blueberry juice are still complimentary. While the Air Berlin segments proved to be quite comfortable, as we were able to secure Comfort seats with better legroom at the front of the plane by checking in very early (and AY did not charge extra for these seats), the ATR-72 is very uncomfortable plane even for 90 minute flight with narrow seats. I normally try to avoid this type of planes. However legroom was good as well. Cabin crew was always professional but on the VIE-HEL segment not very interested and doing only the absolute minimum required (only one drink service on this 2 ½ hour flight and the “mandatory” in flight sales). Crew on the return flight was much better and active, doing two drink services and one water run while we waited for our delayed departure. Web check-in worked fine and Bag Drop in VIE was fast and friendly. However, no priority boarding was offered other than the initial Business Class only call. Situation for the return flight in HEL was completely different. Check-in was chaotic with the whole departure hall buzzing with hundreds of people waiting in various long lines or looking for the appropriate counter, also long lines for priority. Although very busy, only one of three priority counters dedicated to both Oneworld Sapphire and Ruby was open leading to very slow progress. However, a lot of AY personnel could be seen standing in the hall or chatting among themselves. So, obviously rather an organizational approach than a case of not enough agents available. Also, if you are not priority, everything is strictly self-service, including tagging your luggage. Surprisingly, security was very fast and efficient, so it seemed to be strictly an AY issue. Also, delays. VIE-HEL was on-time, while HEL-KEM was delayed 30 minutes. HEL-VIE boarded as scheduled, but then incurred a delay of 20 minutes due to incomplete paperwork and thus missed its slot which finally resulted in a 50 minute arrival delay. In addition, it took a further 30 minutes for the luggage to arrive at the belt with priority bags definitely not coming out first. Overall not a dismal, but a rather disappointing experience. Low cost service approach in the air and on the ground does not mix well with high AY fares. If I wanted to fly Air Berlin, I would have booked Air Berlin not AY. If wanted to fly in uncomfortable ATR turboprops, I would not have booked a Finnair jet service. I used to really like AY, but this experience was simply not good. Also, there seems to be high chance that you will actually not fly AY, even if you book an AY-operated flight.

Flew Bangkok to Helsinki with Finnair. It's a budget airline, but a good one for long-haul. I didn’t realise it used a budget model, not even after I was asked to pay to select a seat. This means that you likely get the worst middle seat if you don’t pay, but it meant I was able to lock in good economy seats for a bit more. The first seat I chose was great but on the return flight I chose 41C, which had a high price due to being an exit row - legroom was no problem but it was right outside the toilets, with lots of light and noise, and a kink in the aisle led to people banging into me as I passed, so it was a terrible seat for sleeping. Even with the wonderful A350 on their Asia flights, the exact seat you get makes a big difference to comfort. Other budget elements include poorly-trained and slow check-in staff at Bangkok (although in Europe they were great), using airport gates that are too small for the aircraft, a very long speech at the beginning about all the services that they want to sell you - very informative but including the Finnish version, it must have gone for 20 minutes and you couldn’t access entertainment until it was finished, mediocre (but free) meals, and giving you a couple of free alcoholic drinks with the first meal but you have to pay after that. There was also a very limited movie selection but at least you can plug in a USB. Overall, though, it’s a very competitive option between Europe and Asia.

✅ Verified Review | Oslo to New York JFK via Helsinki with Finnair was an excellent experience. First leg with A319. On time departure and arrival. Good seat comfort and pitch. Rather simple breakfast, but ok. Transfer and boarder control in Helsinki very easy and fast. Having oneworld Emerald status, I was able to use the Finnair's Premium Lounge, which is airy, spacious, with real good food. Only minus, as well on the planes, is the Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, which is not a favorite of mine. The other wine choice small but nice. Second leg on a A330-300, seat 2A. Seat has plenty of space and is for a single traveller one of the best. Only the foodspace in fully flat position is a little narrow. Service and food excellent, better than with many European competitors. Little late departure, but 30 minutes early arrival in New York. Would fly any time again with them.

✅ Verified Review | Helsinki to London Heathrow. This was a Finnair plus upgrade flight. It is 10000 points for an intra European upgrade, so not to difficult to achieve, you could buy 10000 points for 120 euros if you are a finnair plus member. Most passengers on the flight seemed to be transferring from flights from Asia. The lounge in Helsinki (non - schengen area) has a sauna and shower area. Bit odd as it is unisex but I had the whole place to myself (after 6pm it is quiet). Fairly good range of food, drinks etc in the nearly empty lounge. Of particular interest was the finnish bread. It took a while for the plane to load and get airborne but once we did the service was good. Newspapers offered. Two different types of champagne. Good meal, salmon, bread, veg, berry pie for desert. Flight attendants very friendly and attentive, more drinks freely available. V nice Ittala glasses and cutlery. I think the economy seats are a non issue on a short flight like this because the middle seat is kept free, therefore you can work etc in privacy and have a bit more legroom. I understand that this is the norm on European business class flights. I really enjoyed my experience flying Finnair business class which was significantly better than economy class or a low cost airline. In my own view, it makes flying something to look forward to. It is worth paying about 120 Euros, I would say. What would be nice by way of improvement is if drinks could be offered before take off and a choice of food. I think there is a way of ordering the meal online, but you are not prompted to when you check in online.

✅ Verified Review | London Heathrow to Helsinki. First time on Finnair and they show BA how to do a lower cost model without angering customers. Amazing how when you have to pay for food in economy still offering free tea and coffee or blueberry juice. You can preorder a meal, which we did for our kid. The food was ok and along with the blueberry juice clearly Finnish. But the great thing was that we had a tight connection - 45 minutes - and even with the plane an hour late in taking off from Heathrow, having made up most of the time they held the ongoing flight. And Helsinki airport is a dream to change planes at. The crew were nice. For economy seats there was decent legroom, seat recline and comfort. I should also add that the call centre in Finland sorted a booking problem where we couldn't check in our infant son even though we bought a seat for him quickly and efficiently.

✅ Verified Review | Nagoya to Milan via Helsinki. I have been flying very often with Finnair lately. I have always found kind and thoughtful staff, maybe a little cold because of the Finnish character, comfortable seats. The entertainment on the edge, too many prehistoric films we say, very little news. In my Last flight they have put new advertising videos for on-board shopping, overly long and boring and I could not turn off the obsolete monitor (to be renewed with more wider). The level of food we're getting is going down more and more. The snacks while flying just pretzel and chocolates, juices, coffee and tea.

✅ Verified Review | New York to Kuusamo via Helsinki. I was connecting from Montreal, where I already had received all boarding passes. My Finnair experience started in AA Admirals Club at JFK. It was nice, comfortable, and drinks and food were fine for my taste. Free WiFi. It had been renovated since my last visit few years ago. Boarding for Helsinki was done by groups. Plane was 7.2 years old Airbus A330 (OH-LTT). My seat and its surroundings were dirty, and wear and tear could be seen. Armrests and handset console looked disgustingly dirty. Champagne, water and juice were served as welcome drink. Finnair uses cool Finnish design glassware called Ultima Thule made by Iittala. Amenity kit, slippers (cool Marimekkko ones), pillow, blanket and water bottle were already on my seat. Take off delayed about 50 minutes cause of heavy traffic. Wine selection was good/decent and versatile. As a champagne lover, Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Grande Reserve was boring. Menu selection sounded much better than it actually was. Seared Cod was tasteless and presentation poor. Seat adjustments were limited and seat very narrow, especially for sleeping. Entertainment selection was ok, offering some nice new releases. Screen resolution poor and size small compared to new aircrafts. Best part was the free WiFi. I surprised some people sending them pics from the plane. Easy connectivity, and speed was fine for emails and WhatsApp chats. Breakfast was disappointment. Bakery fresh Bagel was hard and ice cold. Service correct, typical Finnish without too much smiles by older air hostesses. Arrival in Helsinki 15 minutes delayed. No additional security check, so I was quickly in the Finnair lounge. Flight to Kuusamo smooth, uneventful and arrival 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. My suitcase was first off the belt. Finnair offers correct, no “bells and whistles” product and service. A330 feels old and used.

✅ Verified Review | Amsterdam to Oulu via Helsinki. Finnair delayed departure from Amsterdam. Missed the connection in Helsinki to Oulu. 45 minutes connecting time simply wasn't enough. Pushed on to an airplane to Rovaniemi, which was also delayed for 30 minutes, and then more than 3 hours in a bus to Oulu. During the whole delayed travel circa 5 hours extra, we were offered no drink and no food. We were pushed like cattle from 16:00 to 22:00 in planes and a bus without drinks and food, just to stay under 5 hours delay. So cheap of Finnair, while we paid 900 Euro per ticket. Finnair is a scandal, never again.

❎ Unverified | Fast boarding and take off flying Finnair from Stockholm Arlanda to Helsinki. Drink on this short flight, friendly crew. Lots of leg room. Return used lounge at Helsinki. Great layout and some good food and drinks, no vodka though! Slight delay due to small fault but we were kept informed. Bags off very fast in Arlanda. Nordic efficiency. Crew both ways pleasant and polite.

✅ Verified Review | Flew Helsinki to Delhi with Finnair. Since the check-in at Helsinki airport the experience was not at level which could be expected. Rude check-in staff, poor food choices onboard and the "breakfast" was a joke. The flight attendants did a good job, but in general Finnair seems to have a lot to catching up to do other airlines with their product. The onboard movie selection was poor. Not worth paying the extra for business class product. On European routes the airline has become low cost carrier as well, unfortunately.