Finnair Plus - Passport reading machines at Helsinki-Vantaa airport

It is really frustrated when the new Portugal made passport reading machines does not work properly in Helsinki-Vantaa airport. I never had any problems with the earlier (test) models, those always worked fine.

Arrived today to Helsinki after 22h travelling time from Buenos Aires. Tried 5 different machines, those were not able to read my passport that I have used successfully earlier. The 5 machine was able to read the passport, opened the door for picturing my face with no success. Same face, same hear style as earlier.

Also the new machine type, once read your face, opens the door much slower than the previous model.

It really makes difference how machines are working, once you have been in the passport control area were there may be passangers from 3-4 Airbus 340 arrival plains.

Wondering who made the decision on changing the supplier after, from passangers point of view, fully functioning test machines?

Hoping Finavia insists the supplier to make needed approvements or change the supplier.

I haven't had any problems with them in the past. Are they recently changed? I am not sure wich model I have used. Well, I will be passing HEL next week so I will find out.
Anyway, I don't think Finnavia make them worse on purpose. I mean, the machines are there to mimimize pressure on the manned gates. So bad machines will not make anyone happy.

Just reporting back from my last transfer at HEL. On the way out they felt normal, but returning into schengen last sunday the machines felt very speedy. The time to scan the passport was about the same, but the time to scan my face was very quick, around 2 seconds!

Anyway, there is an electronic survey at the gates, so anyone can rate the gates. It is just a machine with a few (5?) buttons (from sad face to happy face). Just hit the right button on if you liked or disliked the gates.

I have written the feedback to Finavia how the machines have been working.
Great if they have been able to improve the overall machine service and specially the service time on reading the face and opening the door.

I have written the feedback to Finavia how the machines have been working.
Great if they have been able to improve the overall machine service and specially the service time on reading the face and opening the door.

I flew to Moscow (and back!) earlier this week, and used the passport reading machine on the way out. IMO it did operate significantly faster than last spring.

Have not tried them in HEL but used one in FRA and it was love at first sight. Will use the machines every time in future if they are available.

I have used them a few times. I often carry my computer in a backpack and have to take it off in order to utilize the machines. Also I still face the challenge of which way to enter my passport into the machine.

Is that for Finnish Passports only or open for all EU passports?

Is that for Finnish Passports only or open for all EU passports?
It is for biometric passport holders of the EU and Schengen countries, Switzerland and Lichtenstein included. Unlike some other airports, it requires no advance registration.

Last weekend I tried it at HEL - worked well, though for first time user it seemed a bit sluggish.

Last weekend I tried it at HEL - worked well, though for first time user it seemed a bit sluggish.

I timed this on Friday. Nine seconds from reaching to the pocket for my passport to being on the other side of the gates. So if there are any lines at the passport control, this is my preference.

I was there last friday as well and felt they were slower than usual.... I didn't time them, but my travel companion beat me through using the manual gates and a non-schengen passport...
anyway, SPBanker are right, if there is a line then go automatic gates. If no line, then have your pick.

Okay, used the machines at HEL and i would say that they are harder to use and not so intuitive than in FRA. You have to turn to the right inside the "booth" when in FRA you just look straight in front of you. This saves time.