Finnair Plus - what are the lounge options for someone arriving from Tokyo and connecting to a Schen

what are the lounge options for someone arriving from Tokyo and connecting to a Schengen city? I've only flow from NY to Helsinkin with Helsinki as my final destination. My co-worker has several hours to kill after arriving from Tokyo. What lounges are available for her use? Basically, she just wanted to know if there's a lounge where she can shower and freshen up after the long flight from Tokyo.

THanks! :)

First I would go to the Via Spa in the non-Schengen terminal where the NRT flight arrives, a great place to fresh up and kill few hours after a long flight at HEL. There's a pool, several saunas and different treatments availabe. If your friend wants to try the Spa, she must do it before leaving the non-Schengen zone.

http://media.finnair.com/spa/site/

Panorama views:
http://media.finnair.com/spa/site/panorama/spa/via_spa1.html
http://media.finnair.com/spa/site/panorama/spa/via_spa1.html

AY has two lounges in the Schengen zone for her use, but still no showers there?

Spa could be nice, but it costs money (unless your friend is AY Plat). AFAIK, Via Lounge (with its showers) is available, if she

a) has OW business class ticket continuing from Helsinki, or
b) is OW Emerald or Sapphire and is continuing on OW carrier, or
c) has Priority Pass.

Or if she is willing to pay for the lounge access.

BTW The lounge attendants usually say that it is more convenient to use the Schengen lounges (with no showers) but one may enter the non-Schengen lounges. This is because at the time when the Asian flights arrive the queues to the passport control are long. Later they are not. It helps if you have an EU or Schengen passport. Even more so if you have an e-passport. This worry does not apply your friend. Because you say she has a long lay-over in Helsinki.

Spa could be nice, but it costs money (unless your friend is AY Plat). AFAIK, Via Lounge (with its showers) is available, if she

a) has OW business class ticket continuing from Helsinki, or
b) is OW Emerald or Sapphire and is continuing on OW carrier, or
c) has Priority Pass.

AY Plat, or has a Stockmann First card...

I am too lazy to search the direct link but for those of you unfamiliar with AY lounge please find the lounge guide in the BA executive club forum's sticky. Below the picture there is a link to Carfield's trip report to AY non-Schengen lounge. There is also a picture of the price lisy (only partly visible). You should also be able to find thid report by searching carfield and trip reports and Helsinki.

PS This post was meant to be in the Paying for drinks thread. Sorry!

BTW The lounge attendants usually say that it is more convenient to use the Schengen lounges (with no showers) but one may enter the non-Schengen lounges. .

I think there are a couple of showers recently added to the restrooms next to the Silver Wings lounge. Those are open for all passengers and probably also have to bring your own towel.

Personally I really like the Spa and am prepared also to pay for it if having at least 1-1,5 hours to enjoy there. It's that much more private and I think the number of guests at a given time is limited to ensure this.

AY Plat, or has a Stockmann First card...

Or is OW Emerald flying on a Finnair flight (AY metal and AY code on BP)

Or is OW Emerald flying on a Finnair flight (AY metal and AY code on BP)

Are you saying the Spa is free of charge for all OW Emeralds with AY flight/ticket?

If so, when did they change this..? Must be really, really quiet business..

Are you saying the Spa is free of charge for all OW Emeralds with AY flight/ticket?

If so, when did they change this..? Must be really, really quiet business..

At least according to the Finnair web page (accessed August 16) it is still free only for Finnair Plus Plats.

"Finnair Plus Platinum members have free access to the spa, but all other passengers pay an entrance fee."

Are you saying the Spa is free of charge for all OW Emeralds with AY flight/ticket?

If so, when did they change this..? Must be really, really quiet business..

At least according to the Finnair web page (accessed August 16) it is still free only for Finnair Plus Plats.

"Access to the Spa & Saunas is free for Finnair Plus Platinum members and oneworld Emerald card holders when travelling on a Finnair flight" on page 114 of the latest Blue Wings magazine 07/2011 (http://www.digipaper.fi/bluewings/71963/) published today 16 August.

For the first time this appeared in Blue Wings 06/2011 published in June.

"Access to the Spa & Saunas is free for Finnair Plus Platinum members and oneworld Emerald card holders when travelling on a Finnair flight" on page 114 of the latest Blue Wings magazine 07/2011 (http://www.digipaper.fi/bluewings/71963/) published today 16 August.

For the first time this appeared in Blue Wings 06/2011 published in June.

This is good move from AY and in line with other OW carriers who very rarely separate own Emeralds from rest of the OW.

I think there are a couple of showers recently added to the restrooms next to the Silver Wings lounge. Those are open for all passengers and probably also have to bring your own towel.


Huh? Bring your own towel? :confused:

This is good move from AY and in line with other OW carriers who very rarely separate own Emeralds from rest of the OW.
I'll take my words back:

"Hei ja kiitos yhteydenotostasi.

Tiedustelin asiaa esimiehiltäni ja he vastasivat, että kylpylään pääsevät ilmaiseksi vain Finnair Plus Platinum -kortin haltijat. Kaikkien muiden, myös Oneworld Emerald -kortin haltijat joutuvat maksamaan sisäänpääsymaksun. Pahoittelemme lehdessä ollutta virheellistä tietoa.

Ystävällisin terveisin

Finnair Customer Care Center"

Quick translation:

"Sorry for the misinformation on the magazine, only Finnair Platinum members can access the Spa for free".

Another case of "never trust AY" then. Sorry for spreading that misinformation...

I'll take my words back:

"Hei ja kiitos yhteydenotostasi.

Tiedustelin asiaa esimiehiltäni ja he vastasivat, että kylpylään pääsevät ilmaiseksi vain Finnair Plus Platinum -kortin haltijat. Kaikkien muiden, myös Oneworld Emerald -kortin haltijat joutuvat maksamaan sisäänpääsymaksun. Pahoittelemme lehdessä ollutta virheellistä tietoa.

Ystävällisin terveisin

Finnair Customer Care Center"

Quick translation:

"Sorry for the misinformation on the magazine, only Finnair Platinum members can access the Spa for free".

Another case of "never trust AY" then. Sorry for spreading that misinformation...

How the hell could the company magazine get it wrong?

"Sorry for the misinformation on the magazine, only Finnair Platinum members can access the Spa for free".

Interesting. I was in the Schengen lounge on Sunday and asked the attendant whether there was a recent Spa entry policy change. Her answer: "Yes indeed, OW Emeralds such as BA Golds can now enter for free." :confused::confused::confused:

Interesting. I was in the Schengen lounge on Sunday and asked the attendant whether there was a recent Spa entry policy change. Her answer: "Yes indeed, OW Emeralds such as BA Golds can now enter for free." :confused::confused::confused:
Funny. I'll ask tomorrow morning as well from the reception, but that was the reply I got from AY Gold service desk.

And I did just that. A lovely receptionist at the Finnair Spa told me this morning that OW Emeralds get comp access when flying with Finnair.

Go figure...

I am traveling business HEL-PEK and my colleague economy can I guest h into the Finnair Lounge at HEL?

I am traveling business HEL-PEK and my colleague economy can I guest h into the Finnair Lounge at HEL?

You can, if you are OW Emerald or Sapphire. Otherwise not.

You can, if you are OW Emerald or Sapphire. Otherwise not.

Thanks mate. She is also soeone I have brand new romantic interests with with :) so this is a problem :eek:. Can I buy her access, would you know? Also there is a spa I understand, I can't find the pricing, is it horridly expensive? Grateful for any tips

Thanks mate. She is also soeone I have brand new romantic interests with with :) so this is a problem :eek:. Can I buy her access, would you know? Also there is a spa I understand, I can't find the pricing, is it horridly expensive? Grateful for any tips

You can buy the non-Schengen lounge access for EUR 45.

And the same money for the spa. If you choose some of the 'personal well-being treatments', the access fee is included in the price of treatments. The treatments can be pre-booked on line.

General information:
http://media.finnair.com/spa/site/

360-panoramas:

Lounge
http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/files/helsinki-airport/Panoraamakuvat_flash/Via_Lounge.swf

Spa
http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/files/helsinki-airport/Panoraamakuvat_flash/Via_Spa.swf

Thanks mate. She is also soeone I have brand new romantic interests with with :) so this is a problem :eek:. Can I buy her access, would you know? Also there is a spa I understand, I can't find the pricing, is it horridly expensive? Grateful for any tips

Is your profile up to date? You list BA Executive Club Silver there, which is OW Sapphire and thus should provide access for your guest to the lounge (if she is flying OW).

Lounge is 45EUR, Spa is 45EUR and both together are 70EUR.

Thanks mate. She is also soeone I have brand new romantic interests with with :) so this is a problem :eek:. Can I buy her access, would you know? Also there is a spa I understand, I can't find the pricing, is it horridly expensive? Grateful for any tips

You will find prices under the link "General information" 2 posts above (go to "Treatments", because "Opening times and Prices" shows only entry fee, which is waived if you buy a treatment).
I find the treatments pricey but nice. As stated above in this thread there seems to have been a change in policy, so OW emeralds have free entrance to SPA. (Finnair site still claims that only AY+Plat have free of charge entry). But if you profile is correct, you don't have free access to the SPA, so if you like to go there, you need to pay. In that case I think it is better to buy treatments instead of just SPA access. (entry €45, treatments incl entry €60+)
Or you can relax in the suana section while she gets pampered. Not a bad start for any romantic plans!

Thanks for all the helpful info ... You nice people have converted a potential embarrassment into an opportunity. I thought BA silver= finnair silver, clearly not so all good! I think to buy the spa with treatments is also a good idea!

Thanks for all the helpful info ... You nice people have converted a potential embarrassment into an opportunity. I thought BA silver= finnair silver, clearly not so all good! I think to buy the spa with treatments is also a good idea!
In OneWorld terms, BA Silver = OneWorld Sapphire = Finnair Gold so you can indeed guest your friend in.

Enjoy the lounge!

In OneWorld terms, BA Silver = OneWorld Sapphire = Finnair Gold so you can indeed guest your friend in.

Enjoy the lounge!

Not sure if it is clear, but there are two sections (the VIA lounge and the VIA spa) and they have different rules. Maybe I am overdoing this, but better safe than sorry? To summarize:

Non-schengen lounge ("VIA lounge")
OW emerald and sapphire have access and guest privilege. J-class passengers have access, no guesting.
As for BA as in this case, silver and gold may visit lounge and also guest someone.

Note
There have been reports (on FT) that Via lounge have denied entry to arriving passengers, referring them to the schengen lounge ("silver wings")



The spa ("VIA spa")
The written rules say only AY+ platinum may enter without fee, but reports above state that OW emeralds also have this privilege. Any other non-schngen passenger may enter for a fee. NO guesting whatsoever to the spa, not even plat/emeralds may guest someone.
As for arriving passengers, I have personally asked this at the SPA desk, they were gladly accepting me as an arriving passengers.

As for arriving passengers, I have personally asked this at the SPA desk, they were gladly accepting me as an arriving passengers.

And you were able to order drinks etc. from the lounge itself?

The written rules say only AY+ platinum may enter without fee, but reports above state that OW emeralds also have this privilege. Any other non-schngen passenger may enter for a fee. NO guesting whatsoever to the spa, not even plat/emeralds may guest someone.
As for arriving passengers, I have personally asked this at the SPA desk, they were gladly accepting me as an arriving passengers.

In October, I'm flying into HEL on an AA flight and then on to TLL on a Fincomm operated flight. I'm OW Emerald. I've got a 3 hour layover and would like a shower. Will let you guys know if they let me in!

In October, I'm flying into HEL on an AA flight and then on to TLL on a Fincomm operated flight. I'm OW Emerald. I've got a 3 hour layover and would like a shower. Will let you guys know if they let me in!

But why would you need to get in the Spa, if you just need a quick shower?
The non-Schengen lounge has several comfy showers. Just remember to do that before you leave the non-Schengen zone, your gate to TLL is on the other side.

Technically FinnComm don't exist anymore, it's now FlyBe Nordic, a joint venture of FlyBe and Finnair. But that hardly effects your flight any way.

And you were able to order drinks etc. from the lounge itself?

I have confirmation on this both from the SPA ladies and Finnair management.