When I first heard about Finnair’s one-of-a-kind business class seat, I was skeptical. The idea of a business class seat that doesn’t lie flat seemed like a nonstarter.
In reality, it’s genius.
Flying business class on Finnair from Helsinki to Chicago felt like zooming across the Atlantic Ocean in my very own private pod. Spacious seats, ample privacy and exactly the right chargers make it perfect for a working flight. The bed conversion? The best I’ve experienced in the air.
I found Finnair’s business class product notably more comfortable than traveling business on code-share and Oneworld Alliance partners American Airlines or British Airways. I couldn’t even see other passengers from my seat, a level of privacy that’s hard to get in most other business class cabins.
Finnair has a fleet of Airbus A350s and A330s and all have been updated. That’ll make it easier to ride comfortably to and from Finnair’s global hub at Vantaa Airport in Helsinki. The Airbus A330 business class cabin consists of a total of 28 seats, spread across seven rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The A350, which I flew between Helsinki and Chicago, had 43 seats spread across 10 rows. There are single seats on each side of the plane and a row of double seats down the middle. There are no overhead bins above the middle section, which made the cabin feel especially spacious.
The aircraft also offers premium economy with comfortable seats offering 38 inches of seat pitch, but just 18 inches of width between rigid armrests. For a fidgety sleeper like me, that just doesn’t work.
Finnair’s Custom Business Class Seat
The more I thought about it over my nine-ish hours in the sky, the more I appreciated Finnair’s unique design. The hardshell seat back never comes down, giving the seat the feel of a comfortable recliner within a 1970s egg chair when you’re upright. Large Marimekko pillows help. The footrest extends toward the seat and feels more like a living room ottoman than a aircraft footrest. A middle section folds up and down to create a cozy bed. There’s also an additional seatbelt designed to go over your legs when you’re sleeping.
Designed by Collins Aerospace especially for Finnair, the so-called AirLounge is where the airline has an edge over partners like BA and American. The legrest design makes it more convenient to get into and out of than the average lie-flat business class seat and leaves a spot for your shoes underneath. The second seatbelt is reassuring in this era of turbulence. Seat operation was much easier to figure out than business class chairs.
I tried not to sleep through my flight, but failed for a few hours. Falling asleep in what felt like my own private cocoon was far easier than I expected, especially with the soft mattress pad and comfortable bedding.
There’s an at-seat reading light as well as every kind of charger you could need. There are USB-C and USB-A ports and a plug for your laptop. There’s even a Magsafe wireless charger on the side table.
Scandinavian Menus & French Champagne
Long-haul flights in business class include two meal services: one a multi-course dinner and another, lighter meal. Nordic-inspired menus feature fish, beef and shrimp prominently. Meals are served on Finnish-made dishware, a nice local touch.
There are typically two starters and three main course choices, with one being vegetarian. When I flew, I opted for the vegetarian stir-fry noodles, which were a pleasant surprise. The salad tasted fresher and crisper than the average airplane salad, and there’s no need to choose between cheese and dessert on a flight where you can have both. Meals start with warm nuts, which may be my absolute favorite airline snack.
The lighter meals may not be vegetarian, so you’ll want to request vegetarian or other special meals ahead of time. I didn’t do that and opted for the extra crew meal I was offered: a spicy channa masala-style curry. There are snacks available in the galley throughout the flight.
In between meals, I sipped one of Finnair’s custom canned cocktails. It was light and not too sweet, making it perfect for in-flight imbibing. I started with a Joseph Perrier Champagne. The airline also serves wines, spirits, a few cocktails and its signature blueberry juice.
Lounges, Entertainment & Comfort
Finnair uses Marimekko, a Finnish brand, for its onboard amenity kits. It includes a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, ear plugs and a premium eye mask.
The large touchscreen entertainment system upgrades the in-flight viewing exponentially and you’ll find noise-canceling headphones at each seat. There are enough movie, television and music options to make a nine-hour flight feel like it flew by. Business class tickets come with an hour of free WiFi. One of the most helpful details may be the in-flight schedule. It displays the times for in-flight service and the local time at your origin and destination.
Business class fares also include access to the international lounge at Vantaa, which is one of the nicest and most spacious clubs I’ve experienced. It felt a lot less crowded than other airport lounges I’ve been in lately–and the bar is its best feature. Bartenders here have moves and they’ll remember your drink by your second round.
Finnair used to provide a key link to Russian destinations until Russian invasions of Crimea and Ukraine. Several airlines won’t fly over Russian territory, and Finnair is trying to make up for its lost revenue with a unique approach to business class pricing.
You pay for seat assignments even in business class. The cheapest up front fares don’t include checked luggage, either.
But the bottom line remains: Finnair business class offers a comfortable long-haul ride and the most personal space you can get without a private suite in the sky. And you can expect to pay just under $3,000 for roundtrip business class flights on Finnair between Helsinki and the U.S.
