Finnair plans to begin operating its first A350s in the second half of next year, initially serving Shanghai, Bangkok and Beijing, with Hong Kong and Singapore A350 service to be added in 2016. Finnair has 11 firm orders and 8 options for A350 aircraft, which will form the backbone of the company’s future long-haul fleet and drive expansion plans.
Finnair’s A350s will feature a 297-seat configuration consisting of 46 business class seats, 208 economy seats and, for the first time ever, 43 economy comfort seats. The above will be the standard configuration. However, the cabin is designed in such a way that when demand for business class is lower, the second business cabin can be converted into economy comfort or economy seating.
The new business class seat is, as widely expected, the Zodiac Cirrus seat, also on American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and being introduced to the Air France fleet.
There are 46 seats with a 1+2+1 configuration.
The seats offer:
- direct access to the aisle from every seat
- a 16” multi-touch screen with audio and video on demand.
- Wifi will be available
- Lumbar support and numerous stowages
- Large meal & cocktail tables
- AC & USB power outlet
There are 43 Economy Comfort seats with 35” pitch and high-quality headphones. No images are available at the moment.
The 208 economy class seats are the Zodiac Z300 slim-line type with 31”-32” pitch, 3+3+3 seating layout and 6” recline. They also offer:
- 11” multi-touch screen with audio and video on demand and journey-related services
- Wi-Fi available
- Additional wireless inflight entertainment services available for own devices
- USB power sockets
Finnair will continue its collaboration with Finnish fashion house Marimekko. The label supplies the carrier’s business class with a multitude of cabin products, including blankets, pillows and pantry items.
To accompany its new business class offerings, Finnair has also upgraded its Helsinki-Vantaa lounge facilities to include, amongst others, a sauna and a spa. The lounges were designed by Helsinki firm dSign Vertti Kivi & Co.
For more information visit www.finnair.com
Dominic Sebastian Lalk
