Finnair Unveils New Regional Cabin Design with Nordic Comfort
The Embraer E190 jets will operate on routes from Helsinki to Edinburgh, Manchester, and Dublin
by George Gomez
October 30, 2024
Finnair is continuing its investment in cabin design and passenger experience with the launch of its new short-haul Embraer 190 cabin, providing travelers with a consistent and modern Scandinavian experience across both regional and long-haul routes.
The first updated aircraft, operated for Finnair by Nordic Regional Airline, has re-entered service this week after a thorough refurbishment at Exeter Airport in the UK. The cabin’s new look matches the design found in Finnair’s long-haul fleet and lounges, showcasing signature dark blue and grey tones with accents of wooden laminate.
Cabin Details
Passengers in Business Class will find upgraded seats in rows 1-9, designed with added cushioning and recline functionality for enhanced comfort. Economy passengers, seated in rows 10-25, also enjoy newly designed seats, while the cabin features LED lighting throughout for a welcoming ambiance.
According to the airline, this cabin refresh reflects Finnair’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Both Business and Economy seats are made from lightweight materials, helping to cut the aircraft’s weight by around 150 kilograms and reducing fuel burn and emissions on short-haul routes.
Eerika Enne, Head of Inflight Customer Experience at Finnair, explains, “After receiving positive feedback on our long-haul cabin, we wanted to enhance comfort on our regional flights within Europe. Our aim was to create a harmonious and inviting environment with colors that our customers associate with Finnair.”
Long-Haul Transformation
In June 2024, Finnair completed its ambitious €200 million long-haul cabin project, transforming its Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class offerings across its A350 and A330 fleets.
This overhaul introduced an innovative new Business Class seat, a premium economy cabin, and refreshed economy seats, providing travelers with a consistent and high-quality experience on all Finnair long-haul routes between Helsinki and destinations in the US, Middle East, and Asia.
The award-winning Business Class seats, created with Collins Aerospace, feature a fixed shell lounge seat that allows passengers to tailor their space for ultimate comfort. “Since its launch, customer feedback on our revolutionary Business Class seat and Premium Economy cabin has been excellent,” said Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer of Finnair. “Offering a uniform cabin concept across our fleet is a huge step forward in our customer experience journey.”
Praised by industry experts, Finnair’s long-haul upgrade received accolades, including “Best Cabin Innovation” from APEX and “Cabin Concept of the Year” from Onboard Hospitality, reinforcing the airline’s reputation for stylish innovation.
Increased Network
Travelers departing from the airline’s seven U.S. gateways via its Helsinki hub will have the chance to experience the new inflight product alongside Finnair’s new lounge in the Schengen area of the airport.
Next summer, Finnair will operate its largest-ever schedule of flights to the U.S. The number of flights to North America will reach unprecedented levels, with a remarkable 46 percent increase compared to the previous summer.
Likewise, despite Russian airspace limitations and increased distances, Finnair is enhancing its service to Asia, starting with Japan, giving customers more opportunities to test out the new cabins unveiled by the carrier this year.
With both short-haul and long-haul transformations complete, Finnair now delivers a cohesive, elevated travel experience on all its routes, meeting passenger expectations for comfort, style, and consistency.