Whether you are visiting Helsinki, want a visa free way to visit St Petersburg or are simply starting your ex EU in Helsinki, (see the great Cathay deal to Australia here), the overcrowding and lack of lounges is hopefully fixed with the final part of Finnair’s new lounges complete. There are two lounges in the non-Shengen area. One is for status passengers, the Platinum Wing, and the other is the business class lounge. Both are equally impressive.
In this post:
Finnair Business class lounge
Finnair unveiled the final phase of its non-Schengen lounge expansion with the opening of its new Business Class Lounge. The new Platinum Wing Lounge was opened in June of this year. Showcasing contemporary Nordic design throughout, the lounge offers a series of new spaces to explore and upgraded food and beverage options.
“With more passengers flowing through Finnair’s home hub of Helsinki Airport, the new lounge complex increases seating capacity and space,” says Karim Al-Soufi, Vice President of Ground Experience at Finnair. “Together, the new combined lounge complex provides 200 additional seats over the lounges they replace.”
“Throughout the design process, we spent a lot of time to really understand how our customers use our lounges and what their needs are. This, in turn, informed the design of the spaces and services,” says David Kondo, Finnair’s Head of Customer Experience Product Design. “The result is a lounge that offers a variety of different zones and seating styles, providing our customers with different options on how they want to spend their time.”
The new lounge complex marks Finnair’s new design style which centres on Nordicness, simplicity, clean lines, natural materials and texture to provide a warmer and more “human” experience.
The furniture selection includes both modern and classic design pieces from esteemed Nordic brands that stand the test of time. For example, the entrance area features Eero Aarnio’s ball chairs.
Alongside the previously opened Platinum Wing Lounge, the Business Lounge was designed as a collaboration between Helsinki-based KOKO3, London-based Tangerine and Finnair’s internal design team.
The Nordic style menu features the best local produce in season. The lounge is operated in partnership with Finnish food provider Fazer, who will be preparing food in a new open kitchen concept which is coupled with a dedicated dining area. The rotating menu consists of a choice of three main courses with meat, fish and vegetarian options, six salads and a wide selection of desserts.
A new full-service bar will operate at peak times offering an enhanced range of beverages including premium alcohol and speciality coffees. Several drinks stations are dotted throughout the lounge, alongside a “quick coffee” area at the front of the lounge for those who are in a hurry.
The new lounge is broken up in a variety of smaller “pockets” aligned to different customer needs and activities. The deeper you go into the lounge, the quieter and more private it becomes. Several different seating options are available, ranging from social open banquet style seating suitable for groups through to more private solo seating. A new family area stocked with games and activities is available for those travelling with children.
There are power outlets at almost every seated position. Soundproof phone booths and printing facilities are also available. I love the fact that is you want to freshen up, there are five newly refurbished shower suites stocked with L:a Bruket cosmetics that can be booked with a touchscreen reservation system.
Platinum Wing
The Platinum wing offers:
Facilities and services
- Seats for 155 guests
- Different spaces for working, relaxing and dining
- Private phone booth
- Living room area for even more comfortable lounging
- Private shower suites and a Finnish sauna
- Bar area
- Printing facilities
- Free internet access
- Newspapers and magazines available
Food and drinks offering
- Hot breakfast from 5.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
- A high-quality food selection: à la carte dining, salad bar, desserts and snacks from 10.30 a.m. to 12 midnight
- Upgraded beverage selection
- Barista coffee, tea
Entrance eligibility and operating hours
The Business Lounge is available to all Finnair Business Class customers, Finnair Plus Gold and oneworld Sapphire members when the departure flight leaves from the non-Shengen area and is operated and marketed by a oneworld airline. All other customers can purchase lounge access for off-peak hours either in advance or at the lounge reception.
The Platinum wing is available for
- Finnair Plus Platinum and above members (plus one guest)
- Oneworld Emerald members (plus one guest)
The lounge is open daily from 5:30am to 12 midnight.
You can find more information on Finnair lounges here.
