Finnair

Flew business class from London to Helsinki then on to Singapore return from Hong Kong to Helskini. You get what you pay for. Finnair are operating OH-LYF and OH-LYG Airbus A340s on these routes which are 16 year old Air France aircraft. Cabins had not been refurbished in November 13 just refreshed. Despite the dated and worn feel of the cabin comfort was actually pretty good and I was able to sleep on both long haul legs on the angled lie flat bed. Power at seat is for French or American adapters and did not work on either leg. IFE is basic unbranded and offers a small selection of on demand video music etc delivered via a low resolution screen. Headphone socket is standard aircraft twin jack you can bring your own headphones if you wish. Food was very good and cabin crew were excellent on the outbound and good on the return. On the return the aircraft lighting wasn't behaving itself and the automatic safety briefing wouldn't work these aircraft are showing their age! The main problem was this trip was living with the uncertainty of if the flights would be cancelled due to Finnair staff strikes. Also on the short haul first trip out a catering strike meant only cheese sandwiches were available! To be fair to Finnair they keep you up to date. Overall given the price this is a competitive and value for money way to get to Asia in comfort. Helsinki airport is brilliant for transfers which only involve a 100 yard walk from one gate to the next. If Finnair updated their tired planes on the routes and sorted out their Unions this could be excellent.

Flights Hamburg to Helsinki and to Bangkok in Business. Flight Hamburg to Helsinki (AY 2854) poor Catering in Business due to a strike of caterers. Unacceptable waiting time in the airport bus at the aircraft. Boxes of cheese sandwiches were be delivered while the passengers were stuck in the bus in front of the airplane. Bad co- ordination. Apparently no contact between check-in counter and cockpit. Flight 089 from Helsinki to Bangkok smooth and with normal business service. In Bangkok surprisingly Vouchers for the Immigration Fast Tracks. Finnair Germany told me before there were no Vouchers for Fast Track. That's why I paid a VIP Service at Bangkok Arrivals. In vain. Finnair in Europe obviously don't know that they offer Immigration Fast Track permissions to their passengers. Not very professional. But: Flight itself was smooth professionally handled and enjoyable. I would fly them again.

The flight was on time and it got us there safely. Helsinki to Hong Kong. However we were travelling with an infant of 13 months who we had to pay almost 50 euros extra for. That was fine as all airlines charge for infants even sitting on our laps but while other airlines would automatically give us the baby friendly seats (i.e. the first row of the cabin) Finnair wanted to charge us extra for it (remember we have already paid for our baby). I called the UK office a few days before our flight to check if our seats would be automatically allocated due to us travelling with an infant. I was told by a friendly staff that I had to wait unless I pay. I then checked two days before our flight I discovered that we were allocated to the centre of the centre row in the middle of the cabin! Since we were flying an Airbus A320 we would have fellow passengers on either side of us. So I had to call again to explain it would not be very convenient for us and for other passengers. It took another day before our seats were rearranged to the side of the aircraft. So I would say don't go with Finnair if you intended to travel long haul with a baby. Unless you want to paid twice for the baby. Overall we found the seat less comfortable than other airlines on a similar route and the food portion was on the small side. When we return we are going to paid the extra (120 Euros for the two of us) for the baby friendly seat because we can't face another 10 hours cramped in two seats. We are not looking forward to our return flight.

London to Hong Kong via Helsinki. The short flight to Helsinki was fine being only 3 hours however the second leg from Helsinki to Hong Kong was not so good. We got there safely with our luggage but the seat was cramped and uncomfortable. The arm rests do not go up fully. I did not eat as it was a night flight so have no comment on that. The flight was on time.

HEL-JFK-HEL in October. A333 OH-LTT on both flights. Flights on time boarding efficient. Spacious cabin leg room surprisingly alright (especially if there was no IFE box under the seat in front of you). Online check-in so-so: had to try 4 times to get one of our party of 3 checked-in with the other two there were no problems. Got to choose our seats from what seats were still available which was fine. We also had quite a lot of trouble with their online services before the flight. Cabin crew very nice on first flight on second flight a bit brusque except one male FA who was working at the rear of the galley and proved to be both courteous and funny. Finnish accent quite heavy in all the PA announcements made in English. On return flight the First Officer gave a humorous "welcome to Helsinki" by describing - very accurately - the currently lousy weather conditions. Pre- ordered gluten-free meals had to be personally asked for onboard but once delivered were tasty. Although the gluten-free breakfast with Finnair is an insult: a banana and one dry rice cake wrapped in plastic. The regular economy meals seem to come with a choice of two (a vegetarian pasta or chicken etc.) but on second flight there was no choice left when the meal service reached the rear rows of the cabin. Wine beer and sodas are served free of charge spirits you have to pay for in economy. IFE perhaps a bit limited with choice compared to other airlines but we found it sufficient enough. Bonus points for Finnair for their exciting "Front camera" view as a part of their IFE service especially if it's available during take off. Before landing on JFK FA's announced that when returning to Finland make sure you have enough time for the long lines to security check. Well at bag drop at JFK the Finnair desk doesn't open until some 2 hours before boarding time. A bit mixed messages perhaps? All in all Finnair does it's job: takes you safely there and back with decent food and some entertainment. Don't expect anything spectacular I'd say Finnair is a pretty decent airline.

I took Finnair from Helsinki to Shanghai on 20 Oct the flight was a bit old with a very small TV screen and outdated functions. Quite a lot of films were unable to be played. The worse part is the services not to mention their delay their Chinese crew members are rude not smiling and always gossiping behind the cabin. The only good thing for Finnair is their food.

Went for Business Class because of the reasonable pricing. While travelling from Delhi to Helsinki to Paris the aircraft for the DEL-HEL sector was an A330 fitted out with the new Finnair business class seats and decor. It was reasonable the flight was comfortable I missed the flat bed but overall it was not uncomfortable. Food was decent too - no complaints. From Helsinki to Paris the business class turned out to be disappointing economy class seats with the middle seat left vacant. There was no entertainment and not much variety of food but still decent. On the way back from Amsterdam to Helsinki in business class same situation as Helsinki to Paris but bearable and food this time was pretty good. The horror started from Helsinki to Delhi. Flight was delayed by over 5 hours and the Finnair lounge where I was stuck had atrociously little food. From lunch through to dinner there was nothing except salad a coldish sweet potato soup and just one main dish of chilli con carne. After boarding the flight which this time was an A300 I realised that this still had the old business class which was uncomfortable. The food was decent but the air temp they maintained in the cabin was atrociously warm and I kept waking up through the night sweating. I requested them to regulate the AC better but no luck. The worst part was the beds it contorts to all sorts of angles if you are trying to sleep and your spine is pushed up and you nearly slide down because the leg rest is maintained at such an odd angle. I kept trying to push myself up through the night as I kept sliding down and I saw the same thing happen to several people. It is absolutely unacceptable. Finally I had no choice but to just sit upright. A word for the crew - all the cabin crew in all sectors are very friendly and helpful though.

SHA-HEL-FRA. Staff were great - flight was good food on way back from SHA was lousy. Aircraft in best condition - but in HEL we had to wait onboard for take-off for at least an hour! The reason was: The catering containers had to be loaded! 1 hour waiting on a 2 hour flight. The "Snack" we had been waiting for was some paper-wrapped noodle salad some lettuce without any dressing or whatever should taste of salad. This final experience turned our review into negative.

Business DEL-HEL-CDG and return LHR-HEL-DEL. Oct 7-15. After reading the reviews was apprehensive. Must say pleasantly surprised. Service was good with plenty of drinks around. DEL-HEL newish A330. Good seats comfortable daylight flight did not sleep hence don't know on the full recline. Food though less in quantity was not bad. HEL-CDG 50 mins transit was apprehensive on baggage. Made it. A321 flight was not bad food not great. Chicken curry served did not work for me. Return - LHR-HEL Lounge was neat clean with limited spread. Flight was fine A321 food Ok small portions. 5 hours wait at Helsinki. Lounge was nice new. Packed with traveler's. Food Choice of main was limited. Salad soup rice and chilli con carne. Cookies and muffins available. Hard liquor had to be paid for Wine Champagne Beer available. Flight HEL-DEL oldish A330. Angled seats just not possible to sleep at an angle. Again service was good. Food quantity again needs to be increased. Quality was decent. Inflight can be improved with more content. Overall after reading the mixed reviews was pleasantly surprised and would recommend.

Supposed to fly from Helsinki to Singapore on 11th Oct but on arrival at airport told flight had been cancelled. Inadequate explanation of reason for cancellation so late alternative arrangements and accommodation. Given no choice about alternative accommodation - which could only be described as basic. Despite having email address - I had to contact Finnair next day to find alternative arrangements. Now being sent via Amsterdam and with two other airlines to get back to Australia - missing our stopover in Singapore. Importantly missing out on extra leg room we ordered as I am taller. While staff generally friendly some have been brusque. Won't fly Finnair again!