Luxury Travel by thirdpassport

Welcome aboard Finnair flight AY41 from Helsinki to Seoul! While this post wasn’t exactly written “live” during the flight, it was drafted high above the clouds to capture my real-time impressions of Finnair’s Business Class—especially their innovative AirLounge seat.

I’ve experienced Finnair Business Class before, both within Europe and on long-haul routes, but this was my first time with the much-anticipated AirLounge seat. In an industry where many long-haul Business Class seats are similar, Finnair sets itself apart. Curious if that’s a good or bad thing? Read on!

Booking My Ticket

Having previously visited South Korea while living in Japan, it was always on my list for a return trip. When I saw a Business Class promotion from Finnair, offering a great fare from Frankfurt to Seoul, I took it as a perfect opportunity to bump up my plans.

While this was a ‘Business Light’ fare without checked luggage included, Finnair allows Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members to check in bags free of charge. Although the online check-in didn’t allow me to add luggage without a fee, it was quickly resolved at the airport with no hassle.

Helsinki Platinum Lounge Experience

Travelling with a Oneworld Emerald member meant we had access to the exclusive Finnair Platinum Lounge in Helsinki—a fantastic place to relax before our long-haul flight. With fresh food, tea, and a serene atmosphere, it was an ideal pre-flight experience. For next time, I made a mental note to allow more time for the lounge’s unique amenities, including a Finnish sauna.

As you would expect, there is a full bar, food a-la-carte, plus areas to work or relax in.

Boarding Experience

Finnair’s boarding process was as smooth as expected, with Business Class passengers boarding by group. At Helsinki, a single air bridge served all passengers, with Business Class travellers turning left upon entry. At Seoul’s Incheon Airport on the return flight, Business Class had a dedicated air bridge, creating a more streamlined boarding experience.

In the Business Class cabin, each passenger was directed to their seat but not escorted—perfect for those who enjoy capturing photos of the cabin before takeoff without feeling rushed. Once settled, the crew offered a choice of welcome drinks: Finnair’s signature blueberry juice, water, or Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut NV champagne, which I couldn’t resist trying (for the benefit of my readers, of course).

The Finnair AirLounge Seat

The AirLounge seat is uniquely designed, allowing you to lounge, sit, or sleep comfortably without constantly adjusting the seat configuration. This flexibility sets it apart from other Business Class seats on the market.

Seating Comfort and Flexibility

The AirLounge seat offers the comfort of multiple positions, allowing you to lounge, sleep, or sit upright:

• Seated Position: The seat uses a 3-point seatbelt for takeoff and landing, which I found slightly uncomfortable as it dug into my neck. Fortunately, this belt is only required at these specific times.
• Sleeping: The “cubby hole” for feet is deep, providing ample legroom for taller passengers (I’m 180 cm/5’11”)—I never reached the end even when lying down. A separate seat belt is used while lying down; however, it feels snug around the hips, making it a bit restrictive for those who change sleeping positions frequently.
• Lounging: This was by far my favourite position. It’s easy to relax by rearranging the cushions. It is also a very stable “platform”, i.e. nothing moves, shakes, or collapses (I’m looking at you, BA foot rest!) if you apply any weight or pressure on it. It was a comfortable position for working, eating dinner, watching movies, reading, etc.

Storage and Amenities

One of the best aspects of the AirLounge seat is its well-thought-out storage options:

• Under-Seat Storage: This space can easily accommodate a handbag or backpack, perfect for items you may need in-flight.
• Knee-Level Storage: A deep compartment by the knees can hold larger items like a laptop or tablet, toiletries, and the provided water bottle.
• Side Console: Eye-level storage houses the noise-cancelling headphones, remote control, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and more.

The AirLounge also features a wireless phone charger and a universal power socket, making it easy to charge a laptop or phone while relaxing. The sturdy, adjustable table stays stable during use and can be moved slightly to allow you to get up during meal service.

Added Comfort Features

To make the in-flight experience even more enjoyable, the AirLounge seat includes:

• Mood Lighting: Adjustable lighting by the footrest adds to the ambiance, while a personal reading light allows for convenience without disturbing fellow passengers.
• Do Not Disturb Light: A unique feature of this seat is the “Do Not Disturb” button, which activates a red light outside your seat, signalling the crew not to disturb you.

Privacy

For travellers who prefer more privacy, the AirLounge offers a partition between the centre seats. It can be raised for additional privacy or lowered if you’re travelling with a companion. This added flexibility makes the cabin feel more tailored to individual needs.

Service

The service was attentive and seamless. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Hot Towel Service: Shortly after boarding, a hot towel was offered—a nice touch to start the journey.
• Oneworld Emerald Welcome: My companion, an Oneworld Emerald member, received a personal welcome from the flight purser, a thoughtful and appreciated gesture.
• Amenity Kit: Finnair offers a Marimekko-designed amenity kit, including a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, and earplugs. While simpler than other luxury kits, it covers the essentials.
• Cabin Upkeep: The crew frequently cleaned the cabin and proactively cleared away any trash.

One notable incident was a restless toddler running through the cabin, causing some disruption. Another passenger eventually spoke up, which led to a quieter and more restful flight.

Food and Drink

Finnair’s Business Class menu is thoughtfully curated and includes various meal options, including mocktails. The food was well-prepared and elegantly presented, paired with a selection of beverages. After the meal service, chocolates accompanied hot drinks, adding a sweet finish.

For dinner, I had:

• Shrimp tartlet served with cold smoked salmon, rainbow trout roe, pickled fennel and cucumber
• Kale hummus with summer vegetables, pickled radish and Västerbotten
• Crusted slow-cooked beef, mushroom duxelles, root vegetable purée, roasted vegetables and red wine sauce
• Chocolate Marquise served with berry compote

Everything was delicious and I didn’t leave a crump on my plates! This is a huge endorsement, given what a picky eater I am.

Final Thoughts on Finnair Business Class

Overall, my experience flying Finnair Business Class on the AirLounge seat was excellent. This seat’s flexibility, along with Finnair’s impeccable service, unique amenities, and quality food, made the long-haul flight comfortable and memorable.

If you’re considering Finnair Business Class, the AirLounge seat on long-haul routes is well worth it. It’s a game-changer in terms of comfort and usability, whether you plan to work, rest, or sleep through the flight. Safe travels!