Finnair has today launched the airline’s new spacious, long-haul look with a brand-new Business Class and new Premium Economy cabin as part of a major investment to enhance the customer experience.
The Finnish flag carrier unveiled the €200 million investment at a press conference in Helsinki this morning.
This complete cabin renewal covers all Finnair Airbus A350 and A330 long-haul aircraft. The new cabins will be fitted over the next two years, featuring an entirely new Business Class, a brand-new Premium Economy cabin, and a refreshed Economy Class.
Customers will be able to enjoy the full experience, complete with renewed service concepts, from spring 2022 on selected routes across Finnair’s long-haul network. The routes will be announced on March 1, 2022, when the new Premium Economy cabin becomes available for customers to book.
“The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our industry, but it has not changed our ambition to offer a modern premium experience as we continue to be the first choice for travellers connecting Europe and Asia.”
Topi Manner, Finnair CEO
Finnair's New Business Class
Finnair is the launch customer for a brand-new concept in Business Class seats, developed in close collaboration with Collins Aerospace, maximising customer space and the freedom to move.
The unique fixed shell lounge space enables a wide variety of sitting and sleeping positions, allowing customers to make the space their own during a relaxing long-haul flight.
Ole Orvér, Finnair Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Space is today’s luxury, and we have put a lot of thought and attention to detail into creating the best Business Class seat for our customers.
“Both the seat and the whole new Business Class experience is centered around customer comfort, space, and choice and is the culmination of our design ethos which will appear throughout our long-haul aircraft to redefine modern premium travel.
Customers for all cabin classes board through a stylish new entry area and a refreshment bar, creating a striking first impression as well as new service opportunities for Cabin Crew.
The Business Class cabin renewal also comes complete with renewed service concepts to further enhance the customer experience.
Customers will enjoy a choice of dishes, focusing on the very best in Nordic cuisine, served on new chinaware designed by top Finnish designer Harri Koskinen and Iittala specifically for Finnair.
Finnish design house Marimekko has also designed a new collection of unique textiles to complement the warm and inviting onboard atmosphere to create a premium customer comfort experience.
These include a duvet and pillows for the Business Class, as well as a neck pillow and a woven blanket for Premium Economy.
Premium Economy
Finnair’s new Premium Economy cabin is being installed on all its long-haul aircraft for the first time, offering the airline’s long-haul customers a comfortable and stylish new cabin choice.
“Premium leisure is a trend that has been significantly accelerated during the pandemic, so we are confident our new Premium Economy travel class with its comfortable seats and more space will prove very popular with customers looking for an upgraded experience from Economy”, added Ole Orvér.
Finnair has also invested in a refresh of its long-haul Economy Class, with new seats and larger Inflight Entertainment (IFE) screens with an updated more customer-friendly interface, for its A330 aircraft and three A350s.
Economy Class
Sixteen of Finnair’s A350 aircraft will see their Economy cabins receive new seat covers and an updated IFE user experience to bring them in line with the designs of the new Business and Premium Economy cabins.
Long-haul flights are key to Finnair’s strategy, with the Finnish carrier specialising in connecting Europe and Asia via the short, fuel-efficient northern route, as well as offering excellent connections to the US.
What do you think of the Finnair new cabin product? I can't wait to see it in person later on this year.
Next week, I will share an exclusive Finnair CEO interview on the blog here.