Disclosure: I was invited by Finnair on a flight to Japan in return for this review.
Planning your next overseas trip and currently looking for the best flight options? How about you let Finnair take you to Japan, Thailand, or the Artic Circle?
Find out more about their great prices, amazing crew, yummy food, and an ever expanding route in my Finnair Airlines review.
Finnair Airlines review – All you need to know!
Is Finnair a good airline? After quite a few flights with Finnair and many other airlines, I like to think I am qualified to compare and can wholeheartedly answer this question with yes!
For those concerned about safety, rest assured Finnair’s is top notch as they have been awarded a 7/7 in safety rating. They also have one of the most modern fleets in Europe. I was happy to realize that the majority of their aircraft are Airbuses. If you have seen the news lately, you may appreciate this too.
When it comes to service I have been spoilt by non-European and non-American airlines to be fair. Even when flying with low-cost carriers. That said, the Finnair cabin crew is amazing. On each flight I have taken they were incredibly kind, funny, and hospitable – one had the feeling they actually love their job. I also really like their uniforms that were a bit retro, a bit “Catch me if you can”.
Another big plus is their prices. Because let’s face it: after Covid flight prices have gone a bit crazy. Actually in both directions, if you look at the silly dumping prices of some low-cost carriers.
Finnair’s prices feel fair, for a lack of better word. You can still get a roundtrip from Frankfurt to a destination in Asia for less than 800 euros! And it is up to you for which extras you want to pay like luggage or a seat selection.
Need some more details? Read on…
Finnair route map
As Finland’s flagship carrier, Finnair flies to over 80 destinations in Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. They also fly to all the domestic destinations in Finland. I remember a trip years ago when I flew from Helsinki to Rovaniemi to sleep in a glass igloo and visit Santa. Finnland is vast and especially up north flying is usually your only option unless you are a skilled driver on snow.
In addition, I was surprised to learn that they fly to many destinations worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Another trip with Finnair previously took me to Chongqing in China and now most recently to Japan where they fly to Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Osaka, and Nagoya, all directly from Helsinki.
Obviously, favorites like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, New Delhi, and Seoul are also on the flight schedule. They also offer direct connections to Dubai and Doha as well as some US cities like New York, Miami, and Chicago.
For some destinations like Bali they do code sharing with other regional airlines – chances are, they will have a flight to get you to where you need to go!
Flight delayed, cancelled, or denied boarding? In many cases, you can claim compensation from the airline, in addition to a measly airport meal or a seat that you already paid for.
Read all about AirHelp and how they can help you get compensation, and check below if you have a valid claim – absolutely free, of course!
Finnair booking classes
Finnair is one of the few airlines that now offers three booking classes on most of their long-distance flights. These include Economy and Business Class as well as a newly added Premium Economy.
Premium Economy is a great option if you can’t fork out for Business Class but need some more space. Seats are wider and offer a waterfall footrest and steeper recline. You are also right behind the Business Class section so technically second to get off the plane.
Read more:
If you are feeling fancy, there is no better way to fly than Finnair Business Class. They are newly refurbished and the first airline to offer Collins’ AirLounge seats. These are basically little shells and you don’t recline, but simply scooch down when it is time to sleep – each seat offers a length of 1,95 m.
Read more:
When booking your Finnair flight you have the option to choose between three different tariffs in all the classes (for most flights at least). These are Light, Classic, and Flex. Light does not include any luggage and offers limited flexibility with rebooking, Classic includes some luggage, and Flex offers luggage as well as seat selection. All three also offer a different number of miles to collect.
It depends a bit on the booking class whether opting for a better tariff is worth it. Once you are booking Business Class, the price difference is not very big anymore. If you are flying economy you might be better off going with a Classic tariff and paying extra for your seat.
Finnair food & amenities
What all Finnair booking classes have in common are cute Marimekko amenity kits as well as blankets and pillows, and great entertainment. None of this, paying extra to see a movie business, and enough choices to keep you entertained even for a long-haul flight.
To be honest, I am probably not the greatest judge of airline food simply because I really like airline food. Getting a “free” meal in tiny containers at 35,000 feet in the air is exciting to me and feels utterly luxurious. Yes, even in Economy! However, Finnair takes the cake when it comes to their meal service.
In their own words, they offer Nordic flavors with a destination-inspired twist. Great news if you are heading to foodie destinations like Japan or Singapore! While portion sizes can be improved upon in Economy and Premium Economy, the quality in all three classes is incredible. The food is yummy and that is not only by airline standards.
One of the best parts about flying Business Class – you are getting drinks served in their beautiful Iittala glasses. If you don’t make it all the way to the front you can still buy the glasses for your home in Finnair’s webshop.
Finnair on the ground
Like so many other airlines, it depends on where you are flying from to know whether you are getting the full Finnair experience already on the ground. Unfortunately in Germany, Finnair is definitely a bit underrepresented at Frankfurt Airport and only has 2-3 check-in counters. You also have to share a lounge with another airline.
However, Helsinki Airport is a whole other story as this is Finnair’s home. They offer the most amazing Finnair lounges that you can either use as a Business Class customer or a status member of Finnair Plus, their miles program.
Finnair has just added the option to add a stopover in Helsinki. Perfect to explore the city for a couple of days and get a 2-in-1 holiday.
Have you flown with Finnair before? Where did you go?
