BACKGROUND Finnair flies from London Heathrow Terminal 3 to Helsinki Vantaa Terminal 2 three times daily, at 1020, 1610 and 1805. A fourth 0730 service runs from Monday to Sunday, and a fifth flies on Sunday at 1805, effectively giving us four daily flights with a slightly different Sunday schedule. This does not include all the daily code shares with British Airways. The number of flights gives anyone travelling from London a great range of onward connection options via its Helsinki hub. My flight, AY3666 departing at 0730, is an Airbus A320. The official flight time is 2 hours 50.
This was the outbound leg. To see a review of the return journey, click here.
CHECK-IN Finnair allows seat selection free of charge well in advance of the actual flight through the “manage my booking” facility (separate to online check-in), so I choose 5A, a window seat on an exit row. I then checked in online the day before my flight and rather than print off a ticket, I decided to test the mobile boarding pass option, brave considering the age of my handset. At three years old it’s almost an antique by today’s standards, but even so downloading the boarding pass was extremely easy. The boarding pass is opened as a webpage, not downloaded and stored as an image, so it all depends on whether your internet settings are in order and that you have either a GPRS or 3G signal. And make sure your battery isn’t about to die.
I arrived at Heathrow T3 by taxi at 0530, but if I’d been closer to Paddington I could have taken the Heathrow Express at that time of the morning saving myself some time and money. Upon arrival, you’re met by a courtyard surrounded by entrances leading to the various check-in zones, with large screens telling you where to go for your airline. If you, like me, already have your boarding pass, and no checked luggage to drop off, then just head for any entrance - though the first is advisable as the escalator up to departures is immediately inside.
With trepidation I approached the security zone, mobile phone in hand. The image of the boarding pass scanned perfectly, and I was directed on to a quiet security lane.
BOARDING From the bagel shop where I had my breakfast, it was quite a walk to Gate 32. Allow about ten minutes. I was called to the gate at 0700, slightly later than the 0655 time specified in my text message (part of the mobile boarding pass). When I got to the gate, I found a sizeable queue, however as I was travelling in business I was allowed to use the much shorter priority queue. As such boarding, when it began at about 0715, was fairly painless and I was soon in my seat.
THE SEAT As with many airlines flying the smaller Airbus types (A319, A320 and A321) in two classes, a moveable curtain separates the two cabins. As such the seats aren’t actually that different, but in business the middle seat is unsold and the armrests are moved across to provide more seat width. An extra table occupies the middle seat instead, which is incredibly useful if you have books, newspapers, music players etc. Lower the middle seat’s table, as well as your own, and you have quite a large space on which to eat or work.
To see the seat plan, click here.
WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE Being an exit row, I had a lot of legroom. Row 5 is the only exit row in business, and in my opinion preferable to Row 1 which is against a bulkhead. If your neighbour has had the same idea as you with regards to lowering every table possible, you might find yourself boxed in against the window. An aisle seat might be preferable.
THE FLIGHT Once we were all sat, magazines and newspapers were offered – the English language offering consisted of the Financial Times and Time magazine. The flight pushed back at 0730, departing ten minutes later, putting us slightly being schedule but nothing to panic over. Such small delays are often made up during the flight, favourable weather conditions allowing of course. The food service began about 30 minutes into the flight once everyone had finished their first round of drinks, and I was very impressed with what was on offer. Being a morning flight, we were served a small but tasty breakfast of sausage, egg and tomato, with cheese and warm rolls.
The cabin crew was extremely attentive, and would frequently walk up and down the small business class cabin asking whether we wanted anything. At no point did I feel they were neglecting their duties.
ARRIVAL Despite the slight delay we landed a little ahead of schedule, at 1210, and with only a few others in business class I was soon off the plane. With no luggage to collect, having brought hand luggage only, I was soon in the arrivals hall and looking for directions to my hotel. I stayed at the Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport hotel, for a review click here.
VERDICT The only painful thing about this flight was the early start from Heathrow, otherwise an excellent level of service for such a short trip.
PRICE A mid-week return in November, from Finnair’s website, starts at £781.
CONTACT finnair.com
Andrew Gough
