Finnair Business Class Lounge HEL
Finnair has a couple of lounges at Helsinki Airport. As I was flying HEL-DFW, I was flying out of the non-Schengen area and was able to visit the lounge located by gate 52. I had access as I was flying Business Class but those with oneworld status in Economy could also gain access.
The lounge look follows Finnair’s aesthetic with bright whites and minimalist design.
As you enter the check in area, there are actually two lounges — the Business Class Lounge to the right and the Platinum Wing straight ahead. During my visit, the Platinum Wing was closed but it is only available for those with top tier Finnair elite status.
There was no need to wait in line; I scanned my boarding pass and entered the Business Class Lounge.
The first area is an open seating area with a small locker room for luggage. There is also a self service beverage bar in this area.
The seating is divided into sections but it is all open.
In the middle of the lounge is a bathroom and the shower suites.
Each suite has a touch screen that turns green when the suite is open and red when occupied. I believe you can reserve one through the screen but there is also an attendant that is available to help out.
The shower suites have a toilet and sink in addition to the shower itself.
The public restrooms have a similar look to them.
The largest part of the lounge is at the back. This is where the buffet and bar are located.
I was there during breakfast and the buffet had a number of hot and cold items. I tried the cinnamon roles and they were delicious. They also had a number of restricted diet options available.
The center bar is staffed and looked to have a wide variety of options.
In addition at a couple places in the lounge are self service beverage stations with wine, beer on tap, soda and iPad controlled juice dispensers.
In one corner is a display counting down to the 100th anniversary of Finnair with a special batch of whiskey that is aging for seven years.
The lounge reminds me a bit of the Alaska Airlines Lounge at the Seattle North Satellite. It has a great design, tons of seating, lots of beverage options and hot and cold food. All the ingredients to what a lounge should have. Finnair is pushing to create a brand identity that is unique in the world of airlines.