the business class experience (Finnair)

Member Name: Cat19

Product:	Finnair
Date:	25/02/06 (2377 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: just about affordable compared to other carriers, member of one-world, good wine!

Disadvantages: not flat bed, entertainment so-so and food hit and miss

A few years of regular business class travel at the expense of the company i worked for, has left me with the unfortunate and expensive affliction of being unable to face the coach class experience for long haul trips. So for the last few years i have permitted myself the extravagance of one business class flight a year to long haul destinations.

For the last two years these trips have been with Finnair. In 2004 i travelled London - Beijing via Helsinki and my return leg departed Bangkok and again was via Helsinki. At the end of last year i took a return flight to Bangkok.

I had never flown Finnair before in either economy or business. The largest factor in my choice of carrier was price. The 2004 flight cost £1,400 and last year the flight cost £1,500. Flight prices obviously fluctuate but British Airways or Thai Airlines could easily be £1,000 more if not double. I always research flights thoroughly and typically find the earlier you book the better the price. I have found the best deals can be found with Trailfinders dedicated business service or on www.airline-network.co.uk.

Finnair is part of the OneWorld partnership, which includes BA, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Aer Lingus, Iberia , Swiss and others. I have an American Airlines membership from my work related travel days and i add the Finnair points to this account to keep them in one place. The Finnair flights by themselves have accumulated almost enough points for a couple of European flights which can be booked with any member airline.

At Heathrow, check in is managed smoothly by British Airways and Finnair passengers use BA lounge facilities. All four of my flights have been via Helsinki, all left on time and the connections were very conveniently timed (about an hour wait). Transfering in Helsinki literally could not be easier, each time i stepped off one plane to find my next flight was departing from a gate 20 metres away.

The inflight experience is mixed. The cabins are comfortable, in good condition and provide a very generous seat pitch. Unfortunately the seats are not flat beds and indeed do not recline quite as far as i would have liked, which was frustrating as there was plenty of room for further reclining. I believe that flat beds are set to be introduced however.

The food served was a bit hit and miss and i have to say one or two of the dishes i was served were quite unidentifiable. One was a violent burgundy mousse type substance for instance. The wine is to die for though and in fact i think on my last flight i was served one of the finest wines i have ever tasted. And i have tasted many :-)

Entertainment also should be improved, there is limited choice on each flight, i think only two English language options which i generally found a bit too alternate. I did see some films i would have liked to have watched in the inflight magazine but sadly i was not flying to the right destination. On my last trip i did not use the entertainment facilities at all, although i was not unduly troubled as it was an overnight flight.

Flight attendants are charming and provide excellent service.

Despite the areas for improvement i have mentioned above, I have nevertheless given this a 4 rating as flying business class made an extremely positive difference to my holiday and Finnair put it within reach financially. I have thought recently that their prices might be creeping up, if they are i would have to think harder before using them again but if not i would definitely fly Finnair Buiness again.

Summary: well worth considering if you can find the right deal