Helsinki Vantaa Airport

Fortunately I had plenty of time between flights. However the security checks on transferring took far too long. About half an hour. The food and drink prices are extortionate and selection poor. Otherwise the airport is very clean and not too busy. The cafe tables were nearly all vacant but littered with leftovers. Bring your own sandwiches!

Loved this airport! Very quiet efficient and comfortable. After a trans-ocean flight from North America I decompressed at the comfortable internet / computer kiosk and charged up my devices (take note Pearson and Munich!). Then left my luggage and took a 30 minute bus ride right downtown. My connecting flight did not leave until 8 pm. I spent a pleasurable and relaxing day downtown and easily took a bus back to the airport in plenty of time for my flight. Everyone spoke English and could explain connections bus fares - lovely experience.

I use this airport about 40 times a year. Its clean not congested and the variety of shops is good. There is plenty of seating and bags arrive on time. But staff are extremely unhelpful. Perfect example is that Helsinki is one of the very few places where children's pushchairs and sometimes even wheelchairs are sent straight to the conveyor belt and not brought to the gate making it very difficult for people traveling with kids to move around. This happened to my disabled family member just yesterday his wheelchair was not brought to the gate but taken downstairs to the luggage room as if he a severely disabled person could walk the 500m journey to the passport check and luggage room although he has never walked before. When I told the ground staff they should be more careful when sorting out luggage - my relative's chair was in a transparent bag and clearly a wheelchair and labelled as "gate delivery" - the young lady working for the airport was extremely rude. Very rude and confusing.

I have used this airport 3 times over last few years and the recent time was February this year on transit to TMP. This airport has some negative and positive sides in my opinion. On arrival into HEL to connect to a flight to TMP within a very tight schedule I nearly missed my connecting flight due to long queue at immigration counters (all international arrivals at the same time). Airport staff did nothing to help those with tight connection time and were pretty hopeless. I were told that if I missed my connecting flight the airline would put me on the next available flight. Why can't they have a designated line/counter for passengers with tight connecting time? At the end I was running to my gate and was one of the last remaining passengers to board the connecting bus to remote aircraft stand. If they want to become a better transit airport in Europe either they need to look into this or Finnair cannot sell ticket with short connecting time (45 mins). On the plus side it offers relaxation lounge with sleeping cells for passengers. Yes you can actually lay down on a hotel-style bed and sleep with curtain lowered down for privacy! I have used many airports around the globe and this is the best offering an airport has offered so far. HEL really impress me with this amazing offer for transit passengers.

I use this airport several times every year. It is an excellent way of traveling fast from Asia to Europe or vice versa. The transfer between terminals happens quickly and without a problem and planes fly at good times (especially Finnair). Your luggage is always where it's supposed to be and your time will for sure flow quickly. Some problems with queuing now and then but overall it's a great airport.

Another great experience at Helsinki airport. Upon arrival baggage belt info is given as one exits the gate. Baggage delivery is just down a flight oft stairs. From there it is a mere 100 m to taxis and public transport. Easy to navigate out of the airport in a breeze. When departing from HEL quick check-in and baggage drop absolutely no waiting at security check. And free plastic bags for liquids provided. Good signage everywhere. Various restaurant options airside. Quiet and comfortable SAS lounge and a well-stocked duty free with friendly service.

Great airport. Perfect. staff speaks many languages including English Japanese Chinese Swedish etc. They are all very helpful. Free wifi.

Vantaa airport which used to be a delight is now grossly overcrowded. They still work miracles with luggage transfer but passenger circulation is very problematic. Transit passengers now have to go through long security queues. It is now almost routine to bussed out to the aircraft something that was rare in the past. On this trip in July I found it difficult to find the business class check-in and ended up in the wrong queue. There were no staff providing queue management and advice.

The One World/Finnair terminal 2 is nowadays overcrowded and hence quite unpleasant in the peak times (early mornings late afternoons and around 11pm when the European flights arrive. Especially the greedy layout (i.e. a taxfree shop instead of the former lobby/cafe) is a constant cause of jams. There is clearly need of a new terminal!

Its really a world class airport with a very good business lounge. However the bus used for transportation from plane to the terminal is always overcrowded and you end up standing.