Finnair

I had to use Finnair twice within 2 weeks for lack of availability on Lufthansa / SAS flights which I normally use. For good reason. Trip was FRA-HEL- MP (15th and 23rd September) and return (19th and 25th September). Both times departure from FRA was delayed on the 23rd the departure gate was announced only a few minutes before boarding was supposed to start. The stopover time in HEL is only one hour and since my flight was not the only one that was late the connecting flight to TMP was also delayed. Both times. On the trip back on the 23rd I had no checked luggage - luckily. Seemed like the computers were down I had a mobile boarding pass but everyone had to be checked manually from a printed list free seating on the first leg of the flight - no announcement from the crew as to what was going on the guy sitting next to me asked about his connecting flight (we were about 30 minutes delayed) and was simply told he has to pick up and re-check his luggage in Helsinki then miss the flight or catch the flight and then try to find his luggage later on - lots of other people had similar issues but all that was said via the speaker system was that everyone has to pick up and re-check their luggage in Helsinki nothing else. Absolutely no customer service connecting flights wouldn't wait if you wanted to catch the flight you would have to leave your luggage. The same then happened in Helsinki as well nobody showed up at the gate to start the boarding process until about 40 minutes past the scheduled departure time. The lady had a printout and checked every name manually from that list. At least the assigned seats from prior online-check-in were still valid this time. On the first trip I had luggage checked and both in TMP as well as in FRA it took forever to get it from the belt. In Tampere the distance from the plane to the belt is maybe 30 meters. You'd think it would be manageable to unload the luggage in less time than 30 minutes (plane on that route is an ATR propeller-plane very small). In Frankfurt I understand that it takes longer but I have had plenty of Lufthansa flights with apron- positions and even on those the luggage was on the belt after about 20 minutes. Finnair needed about 45 minutes for that. Another thing is that the desk service in Frankfurt is really terrible. The staff that handles the baggage drop is the same that handles the boarding - very unfriendly and sometimes even ignoring questions. Last but not least - the food is horrid. Some dry sandwich or bun with veggies on them. Either a hot drink or a cold drink. Now I read they want to get rid of free snacks on the European routes altogether. Anyway I will not fly Finnair again not voluntarily anyhow. Lucky that I book my own business trips and that Lufthansa / SAS has excellent service on the route to Tampere.

Flight LHR-HEL-HKG and return. The flight to Helsinki was fine but the onwards flight to Hong Kong was a nightmare. The flight attendants looked like SS guards and acted similarly. Although there was some turbulence passengers were restrained from going to the toilets making for a great deal of discomfort. On arriving in Hong Kong things got worse. Those of us who arrived from London had no luggage and the lost luggage clerk told us "that is not the second time this has happened this week". Further enquiry confirmed it to be the third time. While the luggage did turn up a couple of days later this was a huge inconvenience and Finnair did not even bother answering our complaint. The return trip was staffed by similarly surly flight attendants so it too was less than an enjoyable experience. 1/10 based on the fact we arrived safely. The attitude of staff and their total lack of courtesy over the luggage merits the low score.

LJU-HEL-LJU. Perfect flights both ways. One of the best experience in intra-European flights. A320 cabin light and fresh like new. Flight attendants professional and extremely friendly. Announcements from the cockpit before flight and before landing. Catering improved form my last flight with Finnair. Marimekko design adds some charm. Nice touch.

BKK-HEL-AMS in business class and very satisfied with value for money. Long haul from BKK to HEL was on one of the old Air France A340s which we understand will be retired from the AY fleet soon. The disappointment of not having the new flat-bed product was outweighed by all the other positives of this day time flight. The queue for economy class check-in at BKK was huge whereas there was no-one waiting at all at the business class check-in and we were quickly and efficiently dealt with by a friendly agent. The CIP lounge used by AY in Bangkok was more than adequate for a short wait with plenty of hot and cold breakfast options decent wi-fi clean toilets and comfortable lounge areas with decent chairs. Priority boarding worked well with a separate airbridge for business class and we were greeted warmly as we boarded and promptly handed a glass of champagne that was topped up twice before we taxied to the runway departing exactly on time. We were really pleased with the food at meal times and the snacks in-between meals the wines and the excellent cloudberry liquer - a must try! The FAs were present in the cabin throughout the entire flight and could not have been more pleasant or helpful. Although the business class seats on this plane were old and recline to a flat but sloping bed they were comfortable and spacious and for a day time flight were just fine. The IFE was also old and the screen was quite small but we easily managed to find some movies we hadn't seen before to pass the time. Our transit time at HEL was only 45 minutes though we needn't have worried as HEL is such an easy airport to navigate - we were at our boarding gate for the flight to AMS in plenty of time. This short flight to AMS was also excellent. Priority boarding again worked well the FAs again provided a great service the meal and wines were again good we arrived in AMS on time and our bags were amongst the first on the belt. The business class seats on intra-Europe flights are the same as economy with the middle seat kept free however we were seated in row 1 and had plenty of legroom and space. We have travelled from Asia to Europe in business class on numerous occasions over the past years with a variety of well-regarded airlines including QF BA EK and TG however our flights on AY were significantly cheaper than what these other airlines offer and we would fly business class with AY again without hesitation.

HEL-YYZ return. Very nice flights both way. No delays. Cabin clean and nice. Food very tasty. Entertainment system improved and lot of films TV programmes and music to choose. Finnair flight attendants are mostly very professional and friendly. From Toronto to Helsinki cabin crew were so wonderful a good atmosphere in the cabin. You didn't feel that they were being nice just because it was their job.

Flew from Manchester to Singapore in July 2014. I was recommended the airline by an agent who described them as an 'up and coming' airline. Price was the attraction so I went with it. Having read the reviews I was somewhat apprehensive but in general it was okay. Let's take the positives - flight times suited us as we did not suffer jet lag on either journey even though sleep was difficult. Crew were efficient and flights were all on time or early. Total flight time is as good as it gets for this journey. Now the negatives - planes are old and tired the Airbus on the return flight even had ash trays. The breakfasts are inedible and the rest of the food is average to poor. Economy leg room is minimal for a 12 hour flight you certainly don't want to get next to anyone in the XL size range. Would I fly with them again - probably if the price is right.

We flew Economy from SIN-HEL-LJU and then from DBV-HEL-SIN. The plane was an old but refurbished A340-300 and the IFE was updated. In terms of leg room and seat width it is as good as you can get in economy for long haul flights (I typically use SIA/Emirates/Qatar). Quality of the food served was average. Service was good and attentive. Transit in Helsinki airport was very smooth - we had two airport layovers. In all considering that we paid a very reasonable price we were very satisfied with Finnair and would recommend them. In fact because of my positive experience with them I have also decided to fly to Finnair SIN-MXP in October 2014. Again the prices are very reasonable.

Flew SIN-HEL and then a few days later HEL-LHR. SIN-HEL - food was quite good had two rounds of the drinks trolley (you get free wine and beer on this route not spirits). Staff were friendly. Seats were ok. However entertainment was bad - VOD but nothing less than a year old. Also it's a 12hr overnight flight - why only dim lights for one hour? HEL-LHR was fine and we had a snack not much to report.

Flew SIN-HEL-ZRH return. With Finnair Business Class you get what you pay for. Finnair uses an old leased Air France Aircraft on these Routes and they have not been updated or refurbished for years. The seats are old and worn and certainly could use a bit of TLC. On the outward flight the inflight entertainment system in my seat was not working and the lights in Business Class could not be switched off during the night. Space is good but if in stretched out setting you tend to slide down the Seat. Cabin Service on all Flights was excellent but Cabin Crew were quite frustrated with the problems associated with those ageing aircraft's. The New Menu's advertised on Finnair websites was not offered on these Flights. Overall the Flights were reasonably Ok but Finnair Business Class on these old aircraft's is only second or third Tier compared to other Airlines.

Flew MH to SIN in June 2014 and a CX+AY combo back late July - all Oneworld carriers. AY uses their A340-300 on the HKG route and was lucky to get OH-LQC (year 2007) on the HKG-HEL leg with their latest greyish interior and newest IFE. Some operational problems at HKG Airport: the plane was taken to gate at midnight just 20 mins before departure and finally took off 2 hours late due to heavy traffic but arrival at Helsinki Airport only 30 mins late. Was lucky to get two seats on the last row for myself on this full flight but the IFE didn't work on either seat so slept all the way. Two hot meals served on this 10 hr flight: two meal choices at night but only one option for breakfast - hot meals quite small but otherwise OK. Leg room and seat comfort was good enough for a 7-hour sleep. Cabin crew professional and friendly (a mix of Finnish and Asian cabin crew) and the flight pleasant in general but cost cutting is visible in many areas which quite frankly puts Finnair way behind MH or CX.