Finnair Plus - LHR-HEL-NRT - liquids & security

When I fly LHR-HEL-NRT next week, will I need to clear security when in transit through HEL? I'm not planning on going landside, but wanted to know if any soft drinks/water etc I buy when airside at LHR will be confiscated at HEL?

Thanks in advance

There's no security screening in HEL on your way from LHR to NRT, however there is security screening in HEL on your way back.

Cheers, that's good to know

There's no security screening in HEL on your way from LHR to NRT, however there is security screening in HEL on your way back.

I do not do transits at HEL but what's the difference as both arrivals are outside Schengen so at least in theory they should be treated the same way?

Just curious to know..

I do not do transits at HEL but what's the difference as both arrivals are outside Schengen so at least in theory they should be treated the same way?


There are some EU regulations stating that passengers originating from outside the EU (I don't think this includes Norway, Switzerland and Iceland though so I guess it is outside the EU and the Schengen zone) should be rescreened when entering the EU or something similar. That's why you also have to pass security if you do something like LHR-HEL-TLL or SVO-HEL-ARN but not the other way around. It's not needed at the first case, but since the check point just happens to be at the non-Schengen to Schengen transfer point you can't help it.

That's why you also have to pass security if you do something like LHR-HEL-TLL --- but not the other way around.

No security check is done in Helsinki when flying LHR-HEL-TLL because it is from EU-non-Schengen to Schengen. Just passport check.

No security check is done in Helsinki when flying LHR-HEL-TLL because it is from EU-non-Schengen to Schengen. Just passport check.

There at least used to be a security check point when transferring from Non-Schengen to Schengen - just on the left hand side after the passport control where the stairs lead down to the arrivals hall. I had to pass it once when I was going to LHR and the currency exchange point at the non-Schengen side was still closed so I had to go back to the Schengen side to get some Sterling.

Maybe they have removed it since when the new measures for Asian arrivals were introduced - this was a few years ago.

I was wondering about this too because I'm following in Worthing Scottish's footprints and doing the same route next week. I was hoping to pick up some booze at LHR on my way. Now that I'm thinking about it, I have €40 in coins I need to get rid of before I leave town. Think duty free in HEL would let me get away with this?

I was wondering about this too because I'm following in Worthing Scottish's footprints and doing the same route next week. I was hoping to pick up some booze at LHR on my way. Now that I'm thinking about it, I have €40 in coins I need to get rid of before I leave town. Think duty free in HEL would let me get away with this?
What do you mean? Whether or not they accept coins? I can see no reason why you'd have any trouble, at least if they come in somewhat reasonable denominations (read: it's not like you have a huge pouch of 1c coins).

And as said there is no security when connecting in HEL no matter where you're going, as long as you're coming from EU/Schengen.
Even if there was (or if you exit to the landside and come back), you could still pick up booze in LHR and carry it through security in the sealed tax-free bag.

Oh yes, they took the coins. Just spent a whopping 27 euro in change on booze in HEL duty free. The checker was kind enough to take another 10 and give me paper money. Phew. That's a weight off my mind.

Just to verify, at least based on my experiences of doing LHR/MAN-HEL-PVG/PEK and return a few times over the last year, that there is no security check or even passport check when flying from the UK to Asia via HEL. Liquids you buy in the UK can be carried onto the flight to Asia without a problem. There is however a full security check when returning from Asia to the UK, so if you buy liquids in, say, PVG you will have to give them up at HEL or else go landside and check them in as checked luggage.