I always say the best airlines are the ones that make you feel like you’ve already reached your destination the minute you step on board.
For instance, when the first crew member greets you with a friendly “G’day!” aboard a Qantas flight, you know you’re Australia-bound. Or when you watch the Singapore Airlines flight attendants bustle about in colorful Balmain-designed sarong kebayas, you know you’re getting your first experience of the Southeast Asian city-state.
But Finnair sets a bar of its own when it comes to creating a destination inflight, thanks to a host of only-in-Finland features that passengers will find on board its long-haul routes.
I recently flew from Los Angeles to Helsinki and back with Finnair to experience the airline’s business class. Here are some of the design, decor and dining elements that made my flights so unique.
Avant-garde AirLounge seats
Ever since Finnair revealed its current AirLounge business-class seats back in 2022, I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to test out the innovative pods for myself.
The product of a $230 million, multiyear investment, the AirLounge was designed by Collins Aerospace and was a distinct departure from the direction that many other business-class seats were taking at the time.
A lot of current business-class seats can feel cramped due to narrow chairs, oddly configured storage compartments, swinging entertainment screens and closing doors that, while providing extra privacy from the aisle, also make it harder to get in and out of your seat.
The AirLounge is a complete contrast, though. Rather than chairs that recline into lie-flat beds, the AirLounge is more like a contoured seat shell with a padded interior. The look is reminiscent of legendary Finnish designer Alvar Aalto’s famous curved birch furniture.
Now we get to the interesting part: There is no reclining seatback or chair. The AirLounge is more like a comfortable bench with a padded back and sides.
You don’t lower anything to get into lie-flat mode, either. Instead, passengers can raise a legrest to connect with the ottoman using a small button on the armrest.
While that might sound limiting, the effect is to give the passenger more space (I had no trouble sitting cross-legged), and allow them to sit in a variety of positions with provided lumbar and slumber pillows.
Because there is no bulky machinery or motors to conceal and the 18-inch touchscreen entertainment systems are relatively slim-profile, the ottomans also feel wider than your average business-class seat.
I was able to select bulkhead seats on both my flights so that my footrest was even larger than the average ones, some of which have metal support poles toward their outer sides.
The rounded edges and curvilinear aesthetic of the AirLounge call to mind the chairs of another Finnish midcentury design titan, Carl-Johan Boman. And while it might appear austere at first glance, the overall effect and plethora of personal space turn out to be quite inviting.
I like sitting up to work and dine on long-haul flights, so it did not bother me not to be in a reclined position. The provided lumbar pillow gave all the support I needed. When I was tired, I could simply pop up the legrest go to bed.
I do enjoy business-class seats with closing doors because they provide a lot of privacy from aisle activity. However, I did not miss having one in this seat since the shell was so extensive and high. And unlike some suite-style seats with narrow door openings, the space between the seat shells and the preceding row is a solid 18 inches, making it easy to get in and out of your seat.
I know some passengers might prefer a more traditional setup, but I liked the simplicity and space.
Finnish finishes
It’s not just about the look and cushion, though. The other seat decor finishes also harken to the country’s design heritage.
The seat’s rounded tray table slides out and then unfolds from the wide armrest, both of which have a light, birch-like woodgrain finish (much like pieces of furniture you’d find in a Finnish home).
The armrest also has a wireless charging pad for mobile phones. You’ll find USB-A and C ports in a shallow compartment that blends into the seatback, where the headphones are also stored.
There’s another storage compartment at leg level next to the seat cushion that is big enough to stow a small laptop or other device. That’s handy, since the universal power plug is also there, keeping your cords out of the way while charging.
Though compact, both compartments provide enough space to keep a few items on hand without disrupting the seat’s flow.
Falling asleep under the northern lights
Perhaps my favorite cabin feature was the ceiling lighting. Both my flights were aboard one of the airline’s Airbus A350s, which has an advanced cabin lighting system that is meant to help passengers fight jet lag with gentle ambient transitions.
Just after meal service, when most passengers were settling in for a snooze, the light setting is switched to simulate the northern lights. I turned off my entertainment screen for a bit to watch the lights dance across the ceiling and shift from blue to green, yellow and magenta in gentle succession.
Although my trip would only take me to Helsinki, it felt like a glimpse of Lapland winter skies, all while cozied up in my AirLounge.
Marimekko galore
Speaking of getting cozy, the airline also partners with heritage Finnish brands on its amenities, most notably Marimekko.
If you take a closer look, you’ll see that the circular-patterned amenity kits, which are made from recycled polyester to be more sustainable, are created for the airline by the fashionable Helsinki design house, as are the eye masks. (The kits also contain dental kits with sustainable bamboo toothbrushes; you have to head to the lavatory to find skincare products from Finnish brand Sees, since avoiding small, individual packaging reduces waste.)
The soft, lightweight duvets and supportive pillows are also Marimekko-branded and decorated with legendary Finnish textile designer Maija Isola’s wavy osprey-inspired Kalasääski print. Unfortunately, the airline does not give out pajamas, or they might be Marimekko as well. Too bad!
The Marimekko collaboration even extends to the exterior livery of two Finnair jets. One of its Airbus A330s features the recognizable Unikko green and blue floral poppy print, while one of the A350s sports the Kivet design (which includes those irregular blue circles inspired by the rough-edged stones in Isola’s garden).
Whenever I fly through Helsinki, I keep an eye out for the two jets to see if I spot them.
Designer meal service
If you’re a Finnish design aficionado, you’re probably also very familiar with the glass and homeware design studio, Iittala. Finnair has been collaborating with the glassmaker for over 60 years and still serves predeparture beverages in the icicle-like Ultima Thule glassware that Tapio Wirkkala designed for the airline back in 1968 (ahead of the launch of its Helsinki-New York nonstop flights). Those include not just your typical Champagne, but also the airline’s signature blueberry juice.
These days, the glassware and tableware come courtesy of Iittala’s design lead, Harri Koskinen, who created the Kuulas line for the launch of the airline’s new business class and premium economy in 2022.
The dishes are simple, white and round (meant as a departure from your typical rectangular plates), creating an uncluttered look. But the most eye-catching item is the blue glass with raindrop-like indentations.
I spotted the same designs in the Iittala flagship store on Helsinki’s elegant, park-like Esplanadi a few days later, and considered purchasing a few of the items myself — that’s how beautiful they are.
Finnish flavors
Finnair, like some other carriers, also aims to highlight the flavors of its home country on its menus.
The airline serves seasonally changing fare inspired by classic Nordic ingredients and recipes, but with international twists.
For my outbound flight, I could preorder either:
- Braised beef short rib with charred carrots, potatoes and asparagus
- Seared salmon with cheese gnocchi, romesco sauce, rosemary breadcrumbs and leeks
- Spinach-ricotta ravioli in a tomato-basil sauce with Parmesan
I went carnivorous and ordered the short rib, which was hearty but not fatty; the demi-glace sauce and root vegetables were nice accompaniments.
For the return, my choices were:
- Beef brisket with horseradish sauce, parsnip puree, torched potatoes, mushrooms, asparagus and grilled corn
- Lovage-marinated salmon with kale risotto, Brussels sprouts and cherry tomatoes in a white wine sauce
- Cannelloni with tomatoes, mozzarella and Mediterranean vegetables
- Broiled rainbow trout from the Finnish Archipelago with smoked freshwater vendace, barley with sour cream, dill potatoes, peas and sunflower seeds
I couldn’t resist the Finnish fish in the last dish, both of which were tender but flavorful. The sides felt like something you might have at a Midsummer picnic.
For dessert, I had chocolate ganache with fresh berries on the way to Helsinki and strawberry cake with rhubarb compote (and a glass of Kultainen cloudberry wine made by Ainoa Winery in Hollola, Finland, to complement it). It was like a last taste of the northern summer.
Booking Finnair business class
You might be a fan of all the fun design touches in Finnair business class, but one of the best things is that you can easily book it with either American Airlines AAdvantage miles or Atmos Rewards points.
The airline currently flies from its hub at Helsinki Airport (HEL) to the following U.S. cities:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
American Airlines AAdvantage requires 57,500 miles each way in business class plus about $5 to $50 in taxes and fees, depending on the direction.
Alaska Airlines requires 55,000 to 70,000 Atmos Rewards points each way plus around $26 to $60 in taxes and fees, depending on the direction.
Bottom line
Finnair is one of the most fun ways to fly to Europe, thanks to the unique, oh-so-Finnish flair that passengers can experience in design touches ranging from innovative seats to Nordic onboard cuisine and designer amenities. Even better: Awards on Finnair are readily available using both AAdvantage miles and Atmos Rewards points. Plus, the taxes and fees are a fraction of what you tend to pay to fly other European carriers.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thepointsguy.com
