FINNAIR A350
As of now, the A350 aircraft are currently in use on our routes between Helsinki and Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo.
Seat Map
There are 2 versions of configuration. One has 46 business class seats and another one has 32 business class seats. Click here to Finnair’s website on seat map.
My Flight
I’ve flown the latest A350 of Finnair (10th A350) OH-LWK from Helsinki to Bangkok on flight AY89.
Prior to the flight, I’ve used the Premium Lounge of Finnair at Helsinki.
We used stairs for boarding at a remote stand. Upon entering the aircraft, I was allowed to go to the cockpit with pilot’s permission!
Seating
Finnair A350 Business Class has a 1-2-1 seating configuration so every seat has direct aisle access and every seat convert into a full flat bed.
I found the seat slightly narrow but long enough in bed position. In up-right position it is comfortable and feel private. The cabin gave a very calm ambience.
In-Flight
Our flying time to Bangkok was 9 hours 25 minutes cruising at 41,000 feet with Mach 0.85 speed.
A choice of Joseph Perrier Champagne, Blueberry juice or water is offered.
Marimekko branded amenity kit, slipper, noise cancelling headset and a comforter are placed in every seat.
The in-flight entertainment screen has the A350 tail camera view which I love watching it!
After takeoff, FA handed out a booklet with Thailand immigration form, food and drinks menu and a duty free pre-order form.
I’ve had more Blueberry juice and chose to have Crayfish soup and fish for dinner.
Later, I have ice cream, tea and biscuit.
The food on Finnair has a lot of Nordic touch, it may appear to be a bit blend but they are fresh. After all, food tasting is very subjective.
The cabin was about 60% full so the service was conducted very fast and efficiently.
The entertainment system is very easy to browse and use. I watched one film before retire to bed.
We flew over St Petersburg and Moscow then heading SE direction into Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The A350 cabin is very quiet, even quieter than on the upper deck of A380!
Breakfast was served 1.5 hours before landing. I enjoyed the breakfast with gorgeous sunrise view from my seat.
Conclusion
Finnair A350 Business Class offers excellent value and enhanced my long haul flight experience. I like many element of Nordic touch and design. It may not be the flashiest but it is certainly a very nice way to travel. Watch my video to see the experience in person!
Video
Hey Sam,
I also flew the same route on the same plane in Feb. 2016, the A350 had just been delivered a few weeks earlier and still had this typical smell of “new plane”.
It was a very good experience (I flew in business class). The flight attendants were all smiling, very attentive and professional. There was even a Thai flight attendant, a very nice and funny boy.
To celebrate the launch of the plane, Finnair had created a special cocktail whose name I have forgotten, a mix of champagne and cranberry (juice and fruit). Awesome!
The food was very “nordic” and excellent (the smoked whitefish and the reindeer were smashing). My only regret is the lack of real dessert, only ice cream, a bit disappointing after such a tasty meal). The wine list was short but the white and red wines (Côte du Rhône) I drank were both very good.
Hi Sam as you maybe aware from my recent message on Facebook, I flew with Finnair on their brand new Airbus A350-900 during the first leg of my vacation/holiday in the Far East and this was not only my first time flying with Finnair but also the first ever time I flew on both the Embraer 190 and the A350 and I was very impressed.
The route took us out over Manchester and over the north sea and then to Helsinki the first leg was about 1hrs 35minuets weather permitting and then a quick 35minuet change over at Helsinki to our onward flight to Hong Kong.
This took 9hrs 45minuets and was very good some turbulence once airborne at 45,000ft keeping in mind this was our maximum altitude due to traffic bellow at 40,000ft and allowing for the weather which was crystal clear with only broken clouds.
Once settled into the flight I order the oriental style spicy chicken with rice and vegetables and a glass or cup of orange juice which came with a vanilla sponge cake for desert and lallater during the mid way point free cheese crackers and complimentary chocolates with Orange juice as you can tell I didn’t get much sleep as I was too excited I watched a couple of movies during the flight mainly Baywatch and then Guardians of the galaxy part 2.
I was seated in row 25A which is a comfort plus seat and it was great to have a bit of extra space my father was in row 24C also a extra comfort seat I had the window seat which was great because We had a split seat in-between is that no one was occupying so it was easier to stretch out a bit and as a result I was refreshed when the breakfast came 1hrs before landing somewhere over china.
As this flight was a night flight unfortunately I didn’t get much of a view until we entered Mongolian Airspace when the sun have its familiar grow as it started to rise Our flight was AY 069 and we arrived into Hong Kong for 3pm local time.
Once we had landed and had deplaned and collected our hand luggage and then gotten to the brand-new terminal 3 at Chek lap Kok which is enormous we then rode a short train journey to the main terminal and onto imigration and baggage reclaim and we’re out of the airport and on our way to the Shamrock hotel where dad and I stayed for 2 nights before taking the next leg of our trip to the Philippines where I am now.
Finnair is amazing although sadly I didn’t get a chance to experience their lounge at Helsinki because of the quick turn around although I will be coming back in January so If we get their I will review it for you.
Yours sincerely
Kwan Ming
Thanks for sharing your Finnair experience Kwan.
Sam, you did not mention your seat number on the A380?
I have used this flight regularly, and as a tall guy 6’4″, I find the amount of leg room in the “foot box” varies. For example seat 1A in my opinion has more space than 2A, but sometimes the flight crew uses the seat front on 1A as a snack table.
Was your flight on the 5th September? I was sitting in the AY Premium Lounge and saw a guy in a pink shirt looking like you, but wasn’t sure back then. Funny coincidence!
Hi Kai
I flew it on 22 August. Given Finnair has a lot of Asian route, it may be someone look alike! Thanks for checking!
Flying often between HKT or BKK to AMS or BRU in business class, I tried two times to travel with Finnair. Be sure I won’t fly with Finnair a third time, NEVER again. My favorites airlines are Qatar and Emirates.
Hi Sam,
I just wanted to tell you that I am your biggest fan. I love your vid.s on YouTube. I just wanted to say that you are an Inspiration to me. So that is all I wanted to say. Bye
P.S. could you pls. right back?
Hi Sam!
I like your videos and reviews, but i didn’t find your finnair trip video anywhere! Your influence is making my flights only in business too, just have to book early and find cheapest way to buy those!
Thanks for all your advices, revies and videos!
It is on now!