Finnair

What a pleasant surprise. We had very low expectations given that these flights are operated by Flybe. However, the aircraft were in Finnair livery and we enjoy the E190 more than the A320 as we find that there seems to be more legroom. I could not find any detailed reviews of business class on these flights and was wondering if we had wasted our money. We are pleased to report that our fears were completely unwarranted. Both flights were excellent. Do not expect plush seats, however, as they are only economy class seats but for short flights these are adequate. Despite the limitations of such a small forward galley, the meal offering was very tasty. The range of drinks on offer was very extensive including excellent French Champagne and French wines. The Business Class stewardesses were delightful and helped make the flights all the more enjoyable. Also, the E190 seems to be able to achieve an excellent rate of climb and can get above the weather quite quickly. Overhead lockers are quite roomy. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.

Two disappointing flights with Finnair. LHR-HEL on A321 Sharklet in August and HEL-BKK on A340 in October. After two excellent flights with Cathay Pacific (CGK-HKG-LHR) the final codeshare leg with Finnair was a real letdown: full flight on an A321 Sharklet with horrible legroom, no IFE and unusually slow service made this short 2 hr 20 min flight an ordeal, The latest flight HEL-BKK was nothing to write home about, either, because they operate this leg with their oldest A340's from the 1990'a (ex-Air France planes) with dated interiors, miniscule IFE screens with cracky sound quality and the smallest meal portions on long-haul flights - followed by a brilliant flight with CX from BKK to SIN the same day. I miss the old Finnair MD11's with comfortable seats, great legroom and old school service. However hard the staff onboard try - and they often do - Finnair falls short of their major competitors in Europe and the Middle East in these areas: inferior IFE, inferior and tiny inflight meals, inferior passenger comfort in terms of legroom, non-existent amenity kits and few other onboard amenities. Helsinki Airport has become very congested at peak hours (3-5 PM and sometimes 10:30-12PM) when public areas as well as Finnair lounges are a pain rather than peaceful oases of Nordic comfort and cleanliness. Finnair attempts to become a "design airline" with their new A350 aircraft on long haul - if the previously mentioned problems are not solved with Finavia who runs Helsinki Airport (small and too congested these days!) nor LSG who supplies the inflight meals for Finnair, they have a long way to go to become a design airline to compete with the major competitors in the industry. Marimekko cups or tissues or blankets don't make a design airline. Not there at present, and quite inconsistent at times.

The new Finnair business class versus the old. The old Finnair were fully flat seats, tired fabric, not super clean but very comfortable, and much better than the new business class seats - which do not lie fully flat, leg support appalling and very little padding. I noticed many people tossing and turning to get comfortable. Little in way of storage also. Food is average, staff lovely and attentive. Compared to Qantas new business class which is super comfortable lay flat, lots of storage and workspace, great food, superb staff. No comparison really, and unfortunately, Finnar have installed the wrong seat. I have heard it said that any business class is better than economy, but this business class is not much better than a good economy class cabin, especially in exit row seats.

Helsinki to Dusseldorf with Finnair. Flight was on time. Clean cabin and friendly flight attendants. Not any entertainment, not even newspapers. Complimentary tea, coffee, water and blueberry juice. Not even any small snack or peanuts. Not a very bad experience, but price was not very low. So this Finnair low cost concept doesn`t work at all. Very sad, Finnair has been quality.

Shanghai Pudong to Helsinki on Finnair A340-300. The flight was on time, surprised to find the cabin is refurbished with new seat and AVOD. The crew were friendly and helpful. Lunch and light meal were served with complimentary wine and drinks, however the food quality is really bad and tiny portion without fruit/salad, which is fine because I fully its economy class. The biggest downside is that 95% passenger are tourist groups, who are noisy, rude, speaking loudly and always walking around. They just can't rest at all during the 10hr journey. It's not Finnair's fault but I'll still fly with Air France / KLM the next time I travel to Europe.

From check in at London Heathrow to landing at Hong Kong, I could describe Finnair as seamless. I was worried about the 40 minutes allowed for transfer at Helsinki, but it was just a matter of arriving at gate 34 and departing at gate 35. No trouble at all. Before the flight, my daughter told me to carry my toothbrush in my hand luggage as my case would not arrive with me. Finnair have special 'hot' containers for transferred luggage and it gets loaded very fast on the connecting flight. My case was one of the first to appear on the carasol at Hong Kong! I can't comment on the inflight entertainment as I like my books, but it seemed to me there was a fair selection of stuff to keep one amused. The catering was adequate. I don't choose my airlines for the food. Cabin crew did their job well and with a smile. I will fly to the Far East with Finnair again.

Overall a good experience with Finnair. Flight Bangkok to Helsinki operated by an A330, quite new and clean. We got served lunch and dinner. Food very average, and drinks served 3 times during the flight. Individual entertainment system with a fair choice of music and movies. Crew was ok, although didn't smile often. Transfer at Helsinki was smooth, although the airport was very crowded, and had to wait seated on the floor for my connection flight to Madrid. Flight to Madrid was operated by an A321, with no entertainment system. No complimentary drinks or food for a quite long flight, so a bit disappointed about it. Crew was friendly though. Arrived to Madrid before schedule and my suitcase was the very first one to come out.

Excellent check in at Saint Petersburg with very friendly staff. Immigration was fast. Shared Lounge was quiet and peaceful. Short flight with very friendly crew. My second flight to Oslo with efficient Check in. Nice Finnair lounge at Helsinki even though offerings were limited. Left and arrived on time. Very good crew friendly and efficient. Seat pitch not bad for short flight. Bags out fast hence no complaints.

Bangkok to Helsinki with Finnair. Not much room for legs and food wasn't really good. Entertainment really bad compared to other airline. Screen is really small and there is not many movies to watch. Seems like Finnair hasn't update it since they bought these planes. Service was okay, they have many Thai staff. Finnish cabin staff not so friendly and not helpful.

Have flown to Thailand direct and via the Middle East so this Finnair route was new, and a decent price. Initially the seats to pre book are 14 euro each (for 4 pass on 2 journeys it works out expensive), however can reserve them for free checking in 36 hrs prior to flight. The short 2.5hr leg to Helsinki was not the most comfortable and was basically budget style, with free luggage and coffee and juice free. However a carry on meal deal helped. Helsinki to Bangkok was by an A340 which felt tired. Although clean, the seats hard through wear, and a very small tv unit but in December 2015 it is being replaced by a new A350 so should be better. The Finnair economy meals were very good, and overall I felt price was excellent and with the short stopover times at Helsinki would fly this way again to the Far East.