CHECK-IN I arrived at Kittila airport in Lapland by coach from Levi, about 15 minutes away. As I was travelling in a group, I couldn’t check myself in online, so joined one of two very long queues at the check-in desks that were open (five and seven). One of the members of staff actually left her position for a good ten minutes, slowing the process even more. I was eventually processed after 30 minutes, at 1245, and given two boarding passes – one for this flight, and one for my connecting flight to London Heathrow (for a review, click here).
My flight (AY448) was at 1320, so this didn’t leave me much time to get through security, and boarding began at 1250. Fortunately, there were a couple of security channels operating and I was through quickly (laptops and liquids out, belts and coats off).
BOARDING There was a long snaking queue directly beyond security by Gate 3. Once my passport and boarding pass had been checked, I was free to walk across the tarmac to board the plane via steps from either the front or the back. I was in my seat by 1305 – the plane was very full.
THE SEAT I was in seat 17F, a window seat over the wing, but I would have preferred to be just in front of it so my view was unobscured. The A321 is configured 3-3 (A-B-C, D-E-F) throughout in a single economy class cabin, and seats are upholstered in turquoise blue fabric with red flecks. The cabin looked clean and in good condition, and there were small in-flight entertainment screens overhead.
WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? Measurements: Seat pitch is 30-31 inches, width is 18 inches and recline is three inches.
If you need more legroom, opt for seats in exit rows 22, eight and one. Seats 9A and 9F also have more space as there is no seat in front. Beyond this, seats are all pretty much the same, so just try and get your preferred position by the window or aisle. (Avoid middle seats B and E if you are travelling alone.)
THE FLIGHT Take-off was at 1315 and at 1350 the snack service started. As with the outbound flight, there was a choice of tea or coffee and a cheese roll. Passengers also have the option of paying for cold and alcoholic drinks.
ARRIVAL Landing at Helsinki-Vantaa airport was on time at 1445, and passengers steadily disembarked via an airbridge into the terminal building, from where I made my way through passport control, to the new business class Via lounge.
VERDICT A punctual short-haul domestic service with friendly crew and decent economy seating.
PRICE Internet rates for a return business class flight from Helsinki to Kittila started from €181 in January.
CONTACT finnair.com
Jenny Southan
