Helsinki Vantaa Airport

Flew to Berlin with Star Alliance group/SAS/Blue1. Did the check in by internet; luggage drop was very quickly no queue to the security check small but not crowded terminal area with some shops and cafes (one can walk to terminal 2 where there are more shops etc). The only thing missing is any kind of wow-factor: it is an efficient terminal with no thrills. But in a rush hour it is very crowded. However this time it was better than the terminal 2 which really is overwhelmed by increasing crowds.

Used Helsinki on flights from Bangkok. Extremely long walk from international to domestic. No travelators. Passport check 2 guys in a little wooden booth hopeless. Then to gate only to have to go down 2 flights of stairs to board a bus back out onto the tarmac. Staff abrupt and unfriendly.

Used Helsinki airport yesterday on return flight to London. Terminal 2 is simply not coping with the numbers going through. The security queue was enormous - worse I HAVE have ever seen at any airport! But luckily I overheard someone say there is a 2nd security entrance at the other end and I walked there and found hardly any queue at all! The Shengen airside is now a total nightmare. So over crowded it is almost impossible to use the shops or even just walk through. They should do something about this. On moving to non Shengen side past a long queue for passport check (another 10-15 minutes wait!) I found the gate for the UK flight (30) was right there but there was nothing near it . No restaurant no shops. You had to walk some 10 minutes (no travelators) to the Asia hub part where all the shops and the restaurants are to get a cup of tea and then worry about missing your call as you are so far away form the gate. It appears they are only interested in serving the Asian flights as all services are near those gates. Awful experience and very sad to see such a beautiful terminal have such bad logistics. Basically Finnavia seem only interested in keeping the Asian customers and have no interest in the European ones. It is easy for airport staff to get around as they had some kind of scooters to move on but the rest of us have to walk very long distances.

Arrivals were a dream and immigration staff were pleasant. Outbound we were due to fly out at 21.45 so came through to airside at about 19.30. Queues for security were huge as only two scanner points were operating. Serious problem this as passengers could see all the other machines and were not pleased that they could not be bothered to open more points. In fairness that is a worldwide issue not just Helsinki though. Once through security we were amazed to find that shops and bars were closing down as quickly as they could for the night. One cafe bar was left open for the entire terminal! The last flights do not leave until midnight so some pressure on facilities was evident. Very clean and airy environment though and the staff in the bar were efficient although two thirds had been coned off forcing passengers to queue.

The charm and unique character of the original terminal has slowly been eroded over the years as the airport has struggled to cope with increased traffic and passenger numbers. The new Asia terminal is fine though all other areas of the airport are now crowded' it is too small for the number of people passing through. Having said that it all worked just. As a hub for Asia it does the job quite well with "easy" connection times. Lounges are ok.

HEL airport is now going through staff cost savings strikes and major baggage delays. Check in queues and security check lines are long and time taking. Airport staff seems to work with "I don't care" attitude. Last six months when I have used my home airport baggage delivery has always been pain and suffering. Beware that your waiting time for your luggage can be over 2 hours with this airport. Main reason for this is our national carriers cost saving at ground handling. There are thousand bags in several rows at arrival hall waiting for their owners. If you use this airport for your transfer to another flight don't believe airliners call center customer service who says that your luggage is still at your origin airport. It actually and probably is standing at HEL airport for days. I recommend to take hand luggage if possible when using this airport.

I flew with LH to Helsinki. Terminal 1 arrivals is small overcrowded chaos getting luggage. Arrivals hall is too small and toilets still dirty. Departure is ok especially new SAS lounge. Just happy that I did not fly with Finnair. Entire Terminal 2 was halted due luggage handling strike for a week.

Airport businesslike. But do not believe the signs which tell you which classes of item are prohibited in carry-on bags. There is evidently a huge non-advertised further list the contents of which are beyond reason or prediction. The first you discover of this is when you are held to have offended against it. Pointing out that you have complied scrupulously with the notices displayed in the airport gets you nowhere as you will be told 'it's like that sometimes'. Being polite but unyielding is all very well but it is a shabby way to treat those who trust in the reliability of what they are told.

I arrived with LH to Helsinki Terminal 1 in November. Baggage hall was full just with one LH flight of Airbus 321. Baggage belt was mostly blocked by baggage wagons and by "fences". About 10 people were able to fit to grab their luggage at time causing lot of pushing. This year I have traveled to Dubai Seattle Miami Frankfurt and Munich. Have to say that every of them beats Helsinki baggage hall any time. Even US immigration is more pleasant experience. And also toilets were dirty. Terminal 2 is different story except for security queues and toilet cleanliness.

Very clean efficient and easy to use airport. The security check queues are very short. The ground staff is very helpful and efficient. The main shopping area is little far from terminal 1.