Finnair

SIN - HEL. Flight departure was delayed according to ticketed departure time. Entertainment system did not work nor did overhead lights. Seat offered no support and was uncomfortable after 10 minutes. Row spacing meant that it was not possible to stretch legs out under the seat in front. Consequently it was difficult to get any sleep on the overnight flight. Hand basin taps in toilets did not work for most of the flight. The fresh pot of coffee was served cold.

MAN-HEL-HKG. Finnair has adopted a 'budget' approach to food and drinks on European flights but there was a complimentary food pack (biscuits crisps and tea) on the MAN-HEL journey. Flew out to Helsinki on a good day - early arrival few travellers extremely smooth transfer. Embraer 190 is perfect - quiet cabin. HEL-HKG journey was decent. Food could be a bit more delicious (per personal taste) and the available choices of music could be more varied. Two things that I have long missed as a traveller in our cost-cutting aviation industry: spacious washrooms and warm comfortable cabin temperature. I found both on Finnair. It seems to me they are cutting costs without losing their customer-oriented attitudes - also to mention the friendly courteous crew members.

Flew From Helsinki to Paris on A321. Great service on this morning flight! Very friendly and smiling crew. Tasteful morning sandwich with coffee. Fresh and modern cabin and good seats.

LON-HEL-SVX. Flew Finnair a couple of years ago on the same route and I am sorry to say that the quality has dropped even further. No inflight entertainment or anything to help keep the kids occupied. I asked if they had any children activities and was told they didn't do it anymore. The quality of the food is poor for the price I paid I don't think a cold chicken curry sandwich is acceptable. You can of course get nicer food but you have to pay for it. Inflight service on the Helsinki legs was inadequate. I needed to get some water for my boys and my call light was ignored when I finally asked I was told to wait until the trolley came through. The plane only had 2 toilets and when my oldest boy needed the toilet there was a long queue my wife asked to use the business class toilet and after several curt refusals he allowed to use the toilet. There was a general feeling of a lack of care from the IFA's on the flights as if we were annoying them by being on the plane. Service on the Helsinki - Ekaterinburg legs was better but no more than adequate and nowhere near the high standards I was expecting. Finnair is taking on a lot of elements of budget airlines in its ethos and this is starting to filter through with poor in flight service and really poor food.

Helsinki (HEL) to Toronto (YYZ). The route is flown by a B752 aircraft in leisure configuration. Legroom is inexistent and insufficient there is no personal in flight entertainment system but some very small monitors above every 5 rows or so. Food quality is below average and only one glass of wine or beer is offered for free. Avoid this plane type if possible.

YYZ-HEL-ARN-HEL-YYZ. Boeing 757-200 between Toronto-Helsinki. I am aware that other airlines also use these smaller Boeings for equivalent routes between these smaller European capitals and US. It was first time I flew this type of aircraft on a transatlantic flight. I found it to be small packed and the fact that there was barely any inflight entertainment system on board didn't maker the 8-9 hr flight between Toronto and Helsinki any better. The flight itself was however very smooth and Helsinki airport is excellent for someone who likes quick and efficient transfers.

HEL-SIN in July 2012 was a terrible experience. Delayed 2hrs where we sat inside the plane waiting. Then the seat didn't hold it looked old. The screen was scratched and tiny. Many times the films didn't work properly. Next the food came really late and it was horrible - served with plastic utensils. No in-flight package on top was a bit too much. Really need to get up to speed.

Flew from Tallinn to Berlin over Helsinki-Vantaa last fall which was my very first experience with Finnair. The flights were nice and hassle-free even if the Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft were a tad older. Flight attendants were friendly and attentive food and beverages were also very good. In short Finnair is offering a good service with modern aircraft and friendly crew.

HEL-SIN-HEL on A340 in June-July 2012. Haven't flown with them for 4 years because competitors have been cheaper on long haul. Flights packed to the last seat but both flights on time two hot meals served on this 11-12 hr flight pleasant and adequate service by a Finnish-Chinese-Malay cabin crew and the IFE worked well on both flights. However there is room for improvement on this 4-star airline: Meals from Helsinki Airport flight kitchen are bland and cheap quite the opposite on the SIN-HEL leg with tasty chicken or beef plus a proper hot breakfast IFE is too limited. A wider range of newer films are needed. No overnight pack (socks etc) which is a standard on many airlines. The price was right this time and we felt it was good value. Moreover their new uniforms are quite classy. When the price is right Finnair will be considered again although they are clearly behind many other 4-star airlines (LH TG TK etc.).

BKK-HEL-BCL-HEL-BKK in business class. A330 business cabin BKK-HEL was spacious and the bedding comfortable. Quilts provided are not your typical itchy wool type quilts. Flights generally on time. Baggage allowance of 2 pieces up to 23kg each was favourable. 10 hour long haul flight was comfortable and service attentive. Requests for further drinks were met with a polite smile and efficiency. Self service area in the galley had enough treats. IFE on the long haul product is not as fancy as that on other carriers but had ample selection for the relatively short long haul sectors. A320 product within Europe includes business with a 3/3 layout with the middle seat kept empty. Drinks a plenty on this service as well and champagne served when the BCL takeoff was delayed by 20 minutes. Staff attentive and friendly. Overall a pleasant experience. Within Europe I find their product consistently better than a lot of their competitors in business.