What Is It Like to Fly on Finnair’s New Business Class from Helsinki to New York?

Finnair has introduced a groundbreaking business class seat design, described as “a piece of Nordic furniture in the sky.” Alongside exquisite culinary offerings and a courteous crew, this Oneworld carrier provides a distinctive experience for travelers crossing the Atlantic, particularly on its long-standing Helsinki-New York route, which has been in operation for over five decades.

I received a gracious invitation from Finnair Tourism to visit Helsinki and other cities in Finland, and on my way back, I was able to catch a nonstop flight from the Finnish capital to my home airport.

Check-In

Terminal 1 of Helsinki Airport was quite busy on a Sunday afternoon. I stood in one of the priority lanes to check in my bag. After that, I joined another long line for the dedicated security screening designed for passengers with priority noted on their boarding passes

Boarding

As is typical in European airports, gate agents checked passengers’ passports and boarding passes before allowing them to enter the waiting area. This area was divided into two sections: one for premium cabin passengers and those with frequent flyer status, and the other for main cabin passengers.

Zone numbers were not announced, so the entire group simply walked toward the jet bridge to board through door 2L.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Upon boarding, smiling flight attendants greeted passengers and directed them to their assigned seats. They promptly offered pre-departure beverages, including champagne and blueberry juice served in elegant Iittala glasses.

The Seat

Finnair has collaborated with Collins Aerospace to create a revolutionary business class seat called the “AirLounge,” which has been installed across its entire wide-body fleet of Airbus A330-300 and A350-900 aircraft. The Airbus A330-300 features a total of 28 AirLounge pods.

Photo: Courtesy of Finnair

This seat model is both intriguing and controversial due to its lack of recline options. The shell of the seat resembles a cocoon, offering a surprisingly generous amount of shoulder room and ample privacy. My seat, 1A, located by the bulkhead, provides even more legroom thanks to a deep footwell that surpasses that of other business class seats I’ve experienced.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

The seating area includes a beige seat cover, a striped blanket, a small pillow, a lumbar cushion, a pair of slippers, and an amenity kit designed by the renowned Finnish brand Marimekko. The dark navy fabric of the seat symbolizes the Nordic night sky, while the muted faux-wood side and tray tables reflect birch, the national tree of Finland.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

A reading light and a cabinet door are integrated into the contoured shell, with the cabinet providing storage for a remote control, USB-A and USB-C outlets, and two additional cubby holes located under and across the seat.

To transform the lounge chair into a full flat mode, passengers must manually flip a lever to prop up a narrow panel. After this, a push of a button raises another cushion from underneath to bridge the gap. In addition to the three-point shoulder strap, there is an extra seatbelt located at the midpoint of the bed for when the passenger is sleeping.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Despite these features, I would still prefer a reclinable seat for relaxation, watching shows, or working on my laptop. Additionally, some passengers prefer sleeping on an angled flat bed. Unfortunately, the pillow and lumbar cushion did not provide sufficient support.

The brand-new premium economy section features 21 Haeco Vector Premium seats arranged in a 2-3-2 layout over three rows, located right behind the second galley. These seats are equipped with memory foam cushions, leg rests, six-way adjustable headrests, and 13-inch touchscreens.

The Flight

The entertainment system offered a wide range of content, and the touchscreen was quite responsive. However, the most impressive features were the downward and forward cameras that provided a real-time view of the exterior. Once airborne, the mood lighting reflected the hues of the Northern Lights, creating a calming atmosphere.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

In contrast to my outbound late-night flight from New York to Helsinki, which only served a quiche with Waldorf salad and chocolate mousse, the lunch options on this slightly delayed flight were much better.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

There were three entrées to choose from: meat, seafood, and vegetarian. I opted for the beef served over mushroom risotto after the flight attendants had poured drinks and offered cashews in ramekins.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

The breadbasket even included garlic bread, a treat usually found on Asian airlines. For dessert, passengers could enjoy a cheese plate or a square piece of blueberry cake.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

All the utensils and tableware were designed by Iittala, which is fantastic. It’s great that the flag carrier collaborates with local brands, such as SEES bath products in the lavatories, to showcase the strong design culture of this Scandinavian country.

Mid-flight snacks included reindeer and cheese sandwiches, along with sweet treats and savory chips.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Two hours before landing, another meal was served on a single tray with two bowls placed on a tablecloth draping over the retractable tray table. One bowl contained a salad with potatoes and reindeer meat. The beverage list was extensive; I sampled Finnish raspberry sweet wine and two mocktails made with fruit juice.

Wi-Fi is not free for everyone. The highest Finnair Plus elites receive complimentary Wi-Fi for the entire flight, while business class passengers get one hour for free. There are various paid packages available for other passengers.

Arrival

After landing, I spoke with a friendly flight attendant about the seating arrangement. She mentioned that she could have provided additional pillows for better reclining comfort.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

To ensure a smooth exit, other flight attendants guided premium economy and economy passengers to allow business class passengers to deplane first through door 2L.

Verdict

This was my first time flying with Finnair, and both my round-trip flights were positive experiences. It’s easy to see why Finland ranks as the happiest country in the world for the eighth time. From the friendly crew and elegantly presented meals to the spacious seating and extensive in-flight entertainment, every aspect was quite enjoyable.

Additionally, I had the privilege of dining with Eveliina Huurre, senior VP of Finnair, during a press tour in Helsinki. She shared insights about the company’s three essential aspects of sustainability: economic, environmental, and accessibility. To illustrate her point, she referred to Alva Aalto’s iconic three-legged stool, emphasizing that all three pillars must work in harmony to achieve balance.

Finnair is committed to transparency and encourages customers to contribute to the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). They also advocate for reducing plastic and waste by allowing passengers to request items that are not included in amenity kits. Beyond material conservation, the airline supports inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQ+ pride, as well as mobility and invisible disabilities.

Finally, Finnair has introduced a multi-city booking option that allows passengers to stay a few days in Helsinki or beyond before reaching their final destinations. This is essentially a free stopover program, and transit in the Finnish capital is convenient, thanks to its well-designed airport. The average flight duration between New York and Helsinki is about eight hours, which is comparable to flying to several Western and Central European hubs with other airline alliances. All of these factors make Finnair an outstanding choice for happy travelers.