Finnair Plus - Booking on BA.com and MFU question

I'll be bringing some people over to Finland in August and as I have a BA ExecAccount (Gold) and a bunch of miles, I was thinking it would be nice if I could use those miles to upgrade an economy ticket to business.

But this is where I need some help...

I currently see decently priced flights with Finnair from GVA to HEL and the other people travelling with me are elderly, thus this 3 hour flight would go down better with them than if we were flying through London (makes it a long day for them).

So would it be possible for me to book the Finnair flight and use BA miles to upgrade the class of booking and still do the direct GVA to HEL flight, and can I do it all online or do I need to call an agent?

Thank you gents

So would it be possible for me to book the Finnair flight and use BA miles to upgrade the class of booking and still do the direct GVA to HEL flight, and can I do it all online or do I need to call an agent?


No dice. BA miles can only be used to upgrade BA flights. If GVA-HEL on AY would be codeshared by BA and you were booked under the BA code this might be possible (don't know the Executive Club rules that well), but alas the flight does not carry a BA code, so it's all pure speculation.

To upgrade an AY flight, you need to use either AY upgrade (electronic-)certs handed out to AY elites on requalification or AY Plus points. Or just get lucky for an op-up.

If you want to fly in business with your miles you have two options: buy the BA flights via LHR (or in a worst case scenario via both LGW and LHR) and upgrade with the BA miles or use the miles to get biz class award seats on the AY non stops. If your entourage is large, then there might not be enough award seats available, but it's worth giving a shot if you have the miles.

Thank you, it's kind of what I thought.

Second question about code shares. I did try a few flights GVA-LHR-HEL, and whilst it shows a BAxxxx (xxxx being flight number) on some of the LHR-HEL-LHR sections of the flight, it clearly says that the flight is being operated by Finnair. Does this mean that it is a Finnair plane with Finnair crew and the flight number just happens to shwow BAxxxx because of the code share thingie?

Sorry for the noob question :)

Too bad the Finnair flights are ~1800 chf (direct) whilst via LHR it's closer to 1200 chf (which I would mind paying as it gives more points and miles and costs less).

Never tried Finnair in Business, could be a fun experience, but maybe not at those prices (unless I splash out for the codeshare flight via LHR).

Second question about code shares. I did try a few flights GVA-LHR-HEL, and whilst it shows a BAxxxx (xxxx being flight number) on some of the LHR-HEL-LHR sections of the flight, it clearly says that the flight is being operated by Finnair. Does this mean that it is a Finnair plane with Finnair crew and the flight number just happens to shwow BAxxxx because of the code share thingie?


Yes, this is exactly the case. Airlines generally try to sell you tickets with their own flight numbers due to increased revenue, so even if the fare rules would allow both AY and BA for LHR-HEL (but for cheap European fares this is rarely the case) booking with BA you tend to only get BA flight numbers. Usually this is OK, but there are a few things to be aware of:

- If you want to upgrade using your BA miles, first check with EC how codeshare upgrades are handled, if any. You definitely have better changes for upgrade availability on real BA metal. And depending on the rules it might even be impossible on a codeshared flight.

- If you have the possibility of choosing between AY and BA flight number, check the mileage earning tables as the same booking class can earn different mileage amounts depending on which flight number it is booked under.


Never tried Finnair in Business, could be a fun experience, but maybe not at those prices (unless I splash out for the codeshare flight via LHR).

AY European business is very good indeed most of the time - that is if you are on an Airbus plane with the middle seat blocked. This is the case for all LHR flights. However GVA-HEL is operated by Embraer 170 and 190s with 2+2 seating ALSO in business class - frankly not worth it. The only advantages over economy are a hot meal instead of a sandwich and a more extensive drinks selection (hard liquor, champagne and more upscale wines).

Thank you for the information. It's been a while since I did GVA-HEL (might have been well over ten years ago with my parents... and yes, I'm a Finn).

I booked the flights and will by flying GVA-HEL with the 10:50 to 14:50 flight, and back with a 16:10 to 18:10 flight.

This leaves me with a question...

I was able to snatch the Exit row (11) seats for the four of us. I understand the window seat is occasionally a little colder, and this being an Embraer 190, is also supposedly cooler than other flights. Is this true? (so that I can advice those travelling with me to pack a sweater just in case).

Secondly, I've been doing some looking, and according to other threads in here, we can expect a Salad or some kind of sandwich. Can someone confirm this and maybe tell me if this is filling enough? Otherwise I may recommend a proper breakfast for us first.

Finally, is alcohol served on board free of charge? I read somewhere it might cost a few euros for a beer and the like...

Thank you all

I understand the window seat is occasionally a little colder, and this being an Embraer 190, is also supposedly cooler than other flights. Is this true? (so that I can advice those travelling with me to pack a sweater just in case).

I am not sure if the exit seats are colder but there are few blankets available so make sure that you board early

we can expect a Salad or some kind of sandwich. Can someone confirm this and maybe tell me if this is filling enough? Otherwise I may recommend a proper breakfast for us first.

I think you survive the flight having the cold snack but I would still prefer a proper breakfast at the hotel/airport/home.

Finally, is alcohol served on board free of charge? I read somewhere it might cost a few euros for a beer and the like...

Beer, white wine and red wine are free and unlimited. If they don't offer more than one drink round you are welcome to order more or fetch from the galley. Sparkling wine and anything stronger are charged 5 € / mini bottle.

Thanks!

Knowing my GF and her mother, they will prefer the idea of taking sweaters as they both tend to get "cold" (like all women...).

I have a feeling they'll be able to snug in a few drink rounds since it's a 3 hour flight ;) I guess a few wines/beers with my GF's father will be in order ^

Cheers

Upgrading an existing booking is possible only if the BA flight was booked from the ba.com. Bookings from anywhere else can not be upgraded using the miles. It is always possible to book flights to Club using a double amount of miles, which is hardly ever clever. The best use of miles would IMHO be to upgrade from WTP to CW and in particular from CW to F with itineraries involving outbound from T5. Never from AY SH coach to AY SH business.