Jul 6, 2013, 8:10 am
Last edit by: intuition
This Flyertalk wiki deals with transiting in the Helsinki Airport (HEL). As the number of connections to Asia through HEL has grown, so has the number of passengers as well. This has meant more and more inquiries in the AY+ Forum regarding the transit in HEL. This wiki is meant to provide answers to the most usual questions. Providing this information in wiki format means that everyone can contribute.
HEL terminal interiors can now be viewed with Google Street view.
1. HEL Airport
Helsinki Airport is still a relatively small airport and therefore easy to navigate. The minimum connection time (MCT) is 35 minutes (40 minutes from Schengen to non-Schengen), which is usually more than enough to make the transfer, if your arriving plane is not obscenely late. At least AY flights are known to wait for their connecting passengers, if feasible (as offering connections for people travelling to and from Asia is basically that airline’s strategy).
Lately, with ongoing airport expansion and heavy reliance on bus gates, there have been more reports of missed connections and of Finnair proactively rebooking passengers on late incoming flights. MCT has not (yet) changed, but traveller should perhaps not fully rely on departures waiting on late arrivals as they used too.
The airport consists of one terminal building which until Jun 2022 had two check in/baggage halls named T1 and T2. From Jun 2022 a single check in/baggage hall opened and the terms T1 and T2 are no longer used although you might find them mentioned in old materials and on signs which have not been updated. There is a very good interactive map of the airport and its services on the web site of the airport.
There are some hidden gems in the interactive map. You can zoom to great detail and examine the different floors.By clicking on a gate number, you will get the current scheduled departures from that gate, and even gate changes. This information is very difficult to find elsewhere. It seems the map has been "enhanced" and a lot of useful stuff has been removed.
HEL is split into Schengen (gates 11 to 31) and non-Schengen (gates 32 to 55) areas. Schengen is an agreement between (most) EU countries and several non-EU European countries (Norway except Svalbard, Iceland and Switzerland) that allows travel between the countries without having to pass through passport control. (You are still required to be in possession of a valid travel document.) When thinking about transiting in HEL, it is very important to know on which side of the dividing line your arriving and departing flights are, as there is a passport control between two areas.
Transfer services
There are two transfer service desks, one "hidden" in the non-schengen taxfree-maze (before gate 32, next to Almost@home lounge) and one in the schengen area,next to gate 25. which has moved to near gate 31X.
There is also a "Hello" transfer service, primarily aimed at Chinese speaking who wants help spending money at the overpriced airport stores.
How to understand gatenumbers
All gates without a suffix are jetbridge gates. Currently only gate 53-55 are dual jetbridge gates (separating business and economy boarding), but more are to come. (Exception to the rule is gate 11, which is a tarmac boarding gate.)
Some jetbridge gates doubles as busgates.
If your gate has a letter-suffix it is a bus-gate. 50A-M is actually a newly build bus terminal, separated from main building. 23AB, 31A-E and 51A-D are other typical busgates.
The exception is 32A (aka 31X although 31X is never seen on boarding passes/departure displays). For capacity reasons, sometimes gate 31 is used for non-schengen departures, despite it being located in the schengen area. Passengers are then boarded at 32A (adjacent 32) and then led back in a long corridor to gate 31 that is then sealed off from the schengen side - this op mode is called 31X.
2. Different ways to transit
In the following it is assumed that you are really transiting in HEL. If you start your journey in HEL, you will need to go through a security check before entering airside.
2.1 Schengen to Schengen
This is the easiest option. You arrive from a country in the Schengen area and continue to another Schengen area country. Since Finland is itself a Schengen country, there is no passport control. There is also no security check. However, if you arrive at a bus gate, you will arrive at the ground floor entrance of the terminal from the bus. You will then need to take the stairs up to remain airside. If you go through the automatic doors to the baggage claim area, you can't come back. You will then need to exit the baggage claim area to the arrivals area, go to the second floor, and enter through security again.
2.2 Schengen to non-Schengen
If you arrive from the Schengen area and continue to outside the Schengen area, you need to clear the passport control before gate 32. However, if you arrive at a bus gate, you will arrive at the ground floor entrance of the terminal. You need to take the stairs up to remain airside. If you go through the automatic doors to the baggage claim area, you can't come back. You will then need to exit the baggage claim area to the arrivals area, go to the second floor, and enter through security again.
In the afternoon before the bank of Asian flights departs, the queues at passport control can be quite long. However, holders of biometric EU/EEA/Swiss, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean and US passports can use the automatic passport control machines. They are generally reliable and fast. A general description can be found here. There is no security control after the passport control.
2.3 Non-Schengen to Schengen
For most travelers arriving from a non-Schengen country and then continuing to Schengen, you need to clear both security and passport control, in that order.
If you arrive from a clean (trusted) airport in the USA or EU (UK, IE, BG, CY, HR, RO) you pass only immigration, no security, as the authorities have deemed those security checks sufficiently tight. These passengers should pay close attention to the signs after passport control since the passageway to the Schengen gate area is easy to miss. Going downstairs to the baggage claim area is a one way trip and access to the schengen gate area is then out via arrivals, upstairs to the check in area and needlessly back through security.
At security they sometimes devote the first few lines to passengers on short connections. Access is based solely on how tight your connection really is. Sometimes there is a sign with entitled flight numbers, and sometimes an airport staff member will direct you. If your incoming is late, then it might be a good idea to look for it. If you have a normal short connection, don't bother. After the security you will be airside, close to gate 32, i.e., still in the non-Schengen area.
2.4 Non-Schengen to non-Schengen
Since you are not entering into the Schengen area, you do not need to go through the passport check but the need for security depends on the trusted nature of your originating airport. If you arrive from a clean (trusted) airport in the USA, UK, non-schengen EU (IE, BG, CY, HR, RO) or some other cities like SIN then you exit the jetway directly into the non schengen departures floor (second floor) and you can proceed directly to your gate with no additional checks. If you arrive from another country (not trusted) then you must clear security before being allowed back to the non schengen departures area and this is enforced by channeling these passengers up to the third floor of the non schengen gate area and from there down through transfer security.
At security they sometimes devote the first few lines to passengers on short connections. Access is based solely on how tight your connection really is. Sometimes there is a sign with entitled flight numbers, sometimes an airport staff member will direct you. If your incoming is late, then it might be a good idea to look for it. If you have a normal short connection, don't bother. After the security you will be airside, close to gate 32, i.e., still in the non-Schengen area.
2.5 Bringing liquids through security
As a rule of thumb, the standard one-litre resealable plastic bag is valid for security. Exceptions are made for medicine and baby food.
Liquids bought during your travel from a non-EU airport or onboard a non-EU registered plane are not allowed through security. These items, including alcohol and cosmetics, will be taken away at the security control. This rule does not apply to liquids bought at international airports in the USA, Canada, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur provided that they are safely packed including a receipt stating the place of purchase.
Onboard EU airlines, however, you can buy liquid duty-free items provided that the liquids are packed into a plastic bag and sealed. At the security check for the connecting flight, show the sealed and unopened bag together with a receipt on the purchased items.
Liquids bought at an airside duty-free store at an airport within the European Union and Norway, Iceland and Switzerland may be brought through security within 24 hours of purchase (i.e., you may go to land-side and re-enter security within the time period) provided that the items are in the original sealed and unopened bag together with a receipt for the purchased items.
2.6 Minimum legal connection time MCT
As the airport is expanding, this whole section will sooner or later become outdated. Use at your own risk, do your own research.
The minimum legal connection times are (to many people surprisingly) short when you transfer AY to AY:
Many connections sold by Finnair uses this fact and that sometimes raise the question "Will I make it?". The answer is Yes. You can quite easily move from Schengen to Non-Schengen in 10 minutes, if you are in normal physical condition and hold a EU passport or a passport valid for the e-gates (see section 2.2). For others, it is suggested you go straight to passport control as the waiting can be long during peak hours.
Your bags will be tagged with a crazy-striped "Short Connection" lable and will make it too.
Also, AY will generally delay departures (within reason) to accommodate passengers from delayed incoming AY-flights. Naturally, you need to hold one (1) ticket for your complete journey for this to work, otherwise AY might not know you are transferring.
This seems to be a policy of the past, as more and more reports comes in with AY not accommodating even smaller delays.
For seasoned travellers it is possible to book separate tickets with even shorter connections and still make it. Seasoned in this case means you are fully aware of the fact that you alone has responsibility of making your flight and you are clever enough to not have checked luggage. Finnair uses a few banks (narrow time bands where almost all incoming and departing flights are coordinated) so you especially need to check if there is a later flight and/or prepare accommodations yourself.
(sources www.finavia.fi and www.trafi.fi)
3. Use of lounges while transiting in HEL
Since this is Flyertalk, the possibility of using lounges is obviously on many passengers’ minds. Finnair has all in all three lounges in HEL, see the Finnair page on HEL lounges.
Platinum lounge offers "upgraded food & beverage selection" and has "Gourmet snacks" (cold cuts, canapés) 10.00-24.00. During the afternoons there is also a menu service served at your table.
When transiting, you can use these lounges if your class of travel or Oneworld status permit you access. The Finnair Lounge in the non-Schengen area has several showers available and even a small sauna. There are showers also in the Schengen lounge. There is no arrival lounge as such at HEL, but at least AY Plats and occasionally OW Emeralds have been granted access to the Finnair Lounge in the non-Schengen area even if they are not transiting. This is YMMV category.
In addition, there is an Aspire Lounge (with shower) close to gate 27, which is used, e.g., by Skyteam airlines and Turkish Airlines, but also allows Priority Pass card holders in, or you can buy single entry at €35. Finnair lounges offers single entry at 48€, sometimes there is a discount in your MMB or BP or can be purchased online for €39 if your itinerary is eligible. Star Alliance has a lounge near gate 13 operated by SAS.
4. Hotels at HEL airport
GLO hotel, inside the actual terminal (landside, basement level).
Offers rooms with 10% off for Finnair plus members. Campaign code PROFP at the time of booking and show card when checking in. Benefit includes free cancellation.
Hilton, a short walk outside terminal mostly under roof. Due to expansion of the airport security, the passageway to Hilton is now more cumbersome and only accessible via stairs. Airport operator suggest taking a taxi (!). Just as before, it is also accessible by the free parking shuttle bus. Get off at parking P5 to save a few meters.
Scandic has opened an airport-hotel in H1 2018, in the TOKE building, between T2 and Hilton. Despite being closer to the airport than Hilton, the walk is actually longer as entrance is in south end of building. Around 400 m. The free parking shuttle stops at P5 which is about 100m from Scandic entrance.
Clarion opened a hotel next to Aviapolis train station in 2016, but it is a stretch to call it an airport hotel as it is not within walking distance. It is easily accessed by train though.
Take the I-train one stop to station Aviapolis, use exit Aviabulevardi and the hotel entrance is to the right at the top of escalators. The train ride takes 2 minutes, but requires a BC zone ticket (currently €2.80) sold in machines at the train station.
5. Getting around
The immediate vicinity of HEL airport is serviced by parking shuttle bus and hotel shuttle bus.
Helsinki downtown is serviced by public trains and buses, and by the "Finnair citybus" shuttle. Finnair Citybus can be paid with points (currently 2500p oneway) by simply swiping your AY+ membership card.
Tickets to public trains/busses are sold by vending machines, at R-kioski shops or via the mobile app. Tickets must be purchased before boarding. The metropolitan area is split into ticketing zones. The airport is in zone C and the city centre is zone A, meaning an airport-city centre ticket is zones ABC. Journeys close to the airport can be done solely in zone C (eg to nearby shopping mall Jumbo) although the transport authority does not sell single zone tickets, so a BC or CD ticket must be bought (with BC tickets substantially cheaper). Sadly, they have removed the map that explained the zone-system. To know what zones you will be travelling in, you need to use the in-app route planner, and a small e.g. "ABC" will be shown on each suggested route, indicating you need a e.g. ABC-zone ticket.
The "HSL" smartphone app is easy to use, works in english, accepts foreign phones and mastercard/visa. It sells single tickets, 1-7 day tickets and 30 day tickets. It no longer requires a constant internet connection, ie you can buy a day ticket using the free wifi at the airport and then go off line and still have a valid ticket.
The 1-7 day passes are better value if you take ≈3+ single trips a day or if you plan to use night time traffic as that is included in daily passes but single night time tickets are priced higher than normal single tickets.
HEL terminal interiors can now be viewed with Google Street view.
1. HEL Airport
Helsinki Airport is still a relatively small airport and therefore easy to navigate. The minimum connection time (MCT) is 35 minutes (40 minutes from Schengen to non-Schengen), which is usually more than enough to make the transfer, if your arriving plane is not obscenely late. At least AY flights are known to wait for their connecting passengers, if feasible (as offering connections for people travelling to and from Asia is basically that airline’s strategy).
Lately, with ongoing airport expansion and heavy reliance on bus gates, there have been more reports of missed connections and of Finnair proactively rebooking passengers on late incoming flights. MCT has not (yet) changed, but traveller should perhaps not fully rely on departures waiting on late arrivals as they used too.
The airport consists of one terminal building which until Jun 2022 had two check in/baggage halls named T1 and T2. From Jun 2022 a single check in/baggage hall opened and the terms T1 and T2 are no longer used although you might find them mentioned in old materials and on signs which have not been updated. There is a very good interactive map of the airport and its services on the web site of the airport.
There are some hidden gems in the interactive map. You can zoom to great detail and examine the different floors.
HEL is split into Schengen (gates 11 to 31) and non-Schengen (gates 32 to 55) areas. Schengen is an agreement between (most) EU countries and several non-EU European countries (Norway except Svalbard, Iceland and Switzerland) that allows travel between the countries without having to pass through passport control. (You are still required to be in possession of a valid travel document.) When thinking about transiting in HEL, it is very important to know on which side of the dividing line your arriving and departing flights are, as there is a passport control between two areas.
Transfer services
There are two transfer service desks, one "hidden" in the non-schengen taxfree-maze (before gate 32, next to Almost@home lounge) and one in the schengen area,
There is also a "Hello" transfer service, primarily aimed at Chinese speaking who wants help spending money at the overpriced airport stores.
How to understand gatenumbers
All gates without a suffix are jetbridge gates. Currently only gate 53-55 are dual jetbridge gates (separating business and economy boarding), but more are to come. (Exception to the rule is gate 11, which is a tarmac boarding gate.)
Some jetbridge gates doubles as busgates.
If your gate has a letter-suffix it is a bus-gate. 50A-M is actually a newly build bus terminal, separated from main building. 23AB, 31A-E and 51A-D are other typical busgates.
The exception is 32A (aka 31X although 31X is never seen on boarding passes/departure displays). For capacity reasons, sometimes gate 31 is used for non-schengen departures, despite it being located in the schengen area. Passengers are then boarded at 32A (adjacent 32) and then led back in a long corridor to gate 31 that is then sealed off from the schengen side - this op mode is called 31X.
2. Different ways to transit
In the following it is assumed that you are really transiting in HEL. If you start your journey in HEL, you will need to go through a security check before entering airside.
2.1 Schengen to Schengen
This is the easiest option. You arrive from a country in the Schengen area and continue to another Schengen area country. Since Finland is itself a Schengen country, there is no passport control. There is also no security check. However, if you arrive at a bus gate, you will arrive at the ground floor entrance of the terminal from the bus. You will then need to take the stairs up to remain airside. If you go through the automatic doors to the baggage claim area, you can't come back. You will then need to exit the baggage claim area to the arrivals area, go to the second floor, and enter through security again.
2.2 Schengen to non-Schengen
If you arrive from the Schengen area and continue to outside the Schengen area, you need to clear the passport control before gate 32. However, if you arrive at a bus gate, you will arrive at the ground floor entrance of the terminal. You need to take the stairs up to remain airside. If you go through the automatic doors to the baggage claim area, you can't come back. You will then need to exit the baggage claim area to the arrivals area, go to the second floor, and enter through security again.
In the afternoon before the bank of Asian flights departs, the queues at passport control can be quite long. However, holders of biometric EU/EEA/Swiss, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean and US passports can use the automatic passport control machines. They are generally reliable and fast. A general description can be found here. There is no security control after the passport control.
2.3 Non-Schengen to Schengen
For most travelers arriving from a non-Schengen country and then continuing to Schengen, you need to clear both security and passport control, in that order.
If you arrive from a clean (trusted) airport in the USA or EU (UK, IE, BG, CY, HR, RO) you pass only immigration, no security, as the authorities have deemed those security checks sufficiently tight. These passengers should pay close attention to the signs after passport control since the passageway to the Schengen gate area is easy to miss. Going downstairs to the baggage claim area is a one way trip and access to the schengen gate area is then out via arrivals, upstairs to the check in area and needlessly back through security.
At security they sometimes devote the first few lines to passengers on short connections. Access is based solely on how tight your connection really is. Sometimes there is a sign with entitled flight numbers, and sometimes an airport staff member will direct you. If your incoming is late, then it might be a good idea to look for it. If you have a normal short connection, don't bother. After the security you will be airside, close to gate 32, i.e., still in the non-Schengen area.
2.4 Non-Schengen to non-Schengen
Since you are not entering into the Schengen area, you do not need to go through the passport check but the need for security depends on the trusted nature of your originating airport. If you arrive from a clean (trusted) airport in the USA, UK, non-schengen EU (IE, BG, CY, HR, RO) or some other cities like SIN then you exit the jetway directly into the non schengen departures floor (second floor) and you can proceed directly to your gate with no additional checks. If you arrive from another country (not trusted) then you must clear security before being allowed back to the non schengen departures area and this is enforced by channeling these passengers up to the third floor of the non schengen gate area and from there down through transfer security.
At security they sometimes devote the first few lines to passengers on short connections. Access is based solely on how tight your connection really is. Sometimes there is a sign with entitled flight numbers, sometimes an airport staff member will direct you. If your incoming is late, then it might be a good idea to look for it. If you have a normal short connection, don't bother. After the security you will be airside, close to gate 32, i.e., still in the non-Schengen area.
2.5 Bringing liquids through security
As a rule of thumb, the standard one-litre resealable plastic bag is valid for security. Exceptions are made for medicine and baby food.
Liquids bought during your travel from a non-EU airport or onboard a non-EU registered plane are not allowed through security. These items, including alcohol and cosmetics, will be taken away at the security control. This rule does not apply to liquids bought at international airports in the USA, Canada, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur provided that they are safely packed including a receipt stating the place of purchase.
Onboard EU airlines, however, you can buy liquid duty-free items provided that the liquids are packed into a plastic bag and sealed. At the security check for the connecting flight, show the sealed and unopened bag together with a receipt on the purchased items.
Liquids bought at an airside duty-free store at an airport within the European Union and Norway, Iceland and Switzerland may be brought through security within 24 hours of purchase (i.e., you may go to land-side and re-enter security within the time period) provided that the items are in the original sealed and unopened bag together with a receipt for the purchased items.
2.6 Minimum legal connection time MCT
As the airport is expanding, this whole section will sooner or later become outdated. Use at your own risk, do your own research.
The minimum legal connection times are (to many people surprisingly) short when you transfer AY to AY:
Code:
Domestic - Domestic 25-35 minutes Schengen - Schengen 35 minutes Schengen - Non-Schengen 40 minutes
Your bags will be tagged with a crazy-striped "Short Connection" lable and will make it too.
This seems to be a policy of the past, as more and more reports comes in with AY not accommodating even smaller delays.
For seasoned travellers it is possible to book separate tickets with even shorter connections and still make it. Seasoned in this case means you are fully aware of the fact that you alone has responsibility of making your flight and you are clever enough to not have checked luggage. Finnair uses a few banks (narrow time bands where almost all incoming and departing flights are coordinated) so you especially need to check if there is a later flight and/or prepare accommodations yourself.
(sources www.finavia.fi and www.trafi.fi)
3. Use of lounges while transiting in HEL
Since this is Flyertalk, the possibility of using lounges is obviously on many passengers’ minds. Finnair has all in all three lounges in HEL, see the Finnair page on HEL lounges.
- Finnair Business class Lounge in the non-Schengen area, opposite gate 50.
Access: Tierless business class travelers, AY Silver tier can purchase access for €25 or use 8500 AY Plus Points, oneWorld emeralds and sapphires. Must have an AY marketed ticket or flying in Business on JAL. - Finnair Platinum Lounge in the non-Schengen area opposite gate 50.
Access: oneWorld Emeralds. Ay Sapphires can access the Premium Lounge during non-peak hours until the expansion of the business class lounge is completed. - Finnair Lounge in the Schengen area above gates 23 - 26. Entry stairs and elevator close to gate 22.
Access: Tierless business class travelers on Finnair, AY Silver tier can purchase access for €25 or use 8500 AY Plus Points, oneWorld Emeralds and Sapphires. Must have an AY marketed ticket! Those who are on the AY operated flight sold by AF to CDG can use the Aspire lounge.
Platinum lounge offers "upgraded food & beverage selection" and has "Gourmet snacks" (cold cuts, canapés) 10.00-24.00. During the afternoons there is also a menu service served at your table.
When transiting, you can use these lounges if your class of travel or Oneworld status permit you access. The Finnair Lounge in the non-Schengen area has several showers available and even a small sauna. There are showers also in the Schengen lounge. There is no arrival lounge as such at HEL, but at least AY Plats and occasionally OW Emeralds have been granted access to the Finnair Lounge in the non-Schengen area even if they are not transiting. This is YMMV category.
In addition, there is an Aspire Lounge (with shower) close to gate 27, which is used, e.g., by Skyteam airlines and Turkish Airlines, but also allows Priority Pass card holders in, or you can buy single entry at €35. Finnair lounges offers single entry at 48€, sometimes there is a discount in your MMB or BP or can be purchased online for €39 if your itinerary is eligible. Star Alliance has a lounge near gate 13 operated by SAS.
4. Hotels at HEL airport
GLO hotel, inside the actual terminal (landside, basement level).
Offers rooms with 10% off for Finnair plus members. Campaign code PROFP at the time of booking and show card when checking in. Benefit includes free cancellation.
Hilton, a short walk outside terminal mostly under roof. Due to expansion of the airport security, the passageway to Hilton is now more cumbersome and only accessible via stairs. Airport operator suggest taking a taxi (!). Just as before, it is also accessible by the free parking shuttle bus. Get off at parking P5 to save a few meters.
Scandic has opened an airport-hotel in H1 2018, in the TOKE building, between T2 and Hilton. Despite being closer to the airport than Hilton, the walk is actually longer as entrance is in south end of building. Around 400 m. The free parking shuttle stops at P5 which is about 100m from Scandic entrance.
Clarion opened a hotel next to Aviapolis train station in 2016, but it is a stretch to call it an airport hotel as it is not within walking distance. It is easily accessed by train though.
Take the I-train one stop to station Aviapolis, use exit Aviabulevardi and the hotel entrance is to the right at the top of escalators. The train ride takes 2 minutes, but requires a BC zone ticket (currently €2.80) sold in machines at the train station.
5. Getting around
The immediate vicinity of HEL airport is serviced by parking shuttle bus and hotel shuttle bus.
Helsinki downtown is serviced by public trains and buses, and by the "Finnair citybus" shuttle. Finnair Citybus can be paid with points (currently 2500p oneway) by simply swiping your AY+ membership card.
Tickets to public trains/busses are sold by vending machines, at R-kioski shops or via the mobile app. Tickets must be purchased before boarding. The metropolitan area is split into ticketing zones. The airport is in zone C and the city centre is zone A, meaning an airport-city centre ticket is zones ABC. Journeys close to the airport can be done solely in zone C (eg to nearby shopping mall Jumbo) although the transport authority does not sell single zone tickets, so a BC or CD ticket must be bought (with BC tickets substantially cheaper). Sadly, they have removed the map that explained the zone-system. To know what zones you will be travelling in, you need to use the in-app route planner, and a small e.g. "ABC" will be shown on each suggested route, indicating you need a e.g. ABC-zone ticket.
The "HSL" smartphone app is easy to use, works in english, accepts foreign phones and mastercard/visa. It sells single tickets, 1-7 day tickets and 30 day tickets. It no longer requires a constant internet connection, ie you can buy a day ticket using the free wifi at the airport and then go off line and still have a valid ticket.
The 1-7 day passes are better value if you take ≈3+ single trips a day or if you plan to use night time traffic as that is included in daily passes but single night time tickets are priced higher than normal single tickets.
Transiting in Helsinki [HEL]
Jul 7, 2016, 1:29 am
#196
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Asia
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), SK Gold (*A Gold), airBaltic VIP, Hilton Gold, PP
Posts: 377
Thanks! My experience is that when you have a tight connection, HEL suddenly gets another L to its code, with stand arrivals etc. You convinced me: I am not going to try my luck...
Btw it is amazing that the TMP flight has to leave so early, with many European connections and DEL still arriving... If it left only 10-15 minutes later, these connections would make it. What's the point?
Btw it is amazing that the TMP flight has to leave so early, with many European connections and DEL still arriving... If it left only 10-15 minutes later, these connections would make it. What's the point?
Jul 7, 2016, 2:01 am
#197
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
I guess AY has some historical data and analytics on which destinations passengers connect from to TMP and these European cities and DEL are not on that list.
Jul 7, 2016, 2:22 am
#198
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
But it is not like they couldn't allocate a later slot at TMP due to any crowding issues. The airport sees 2-5 arrivals - all day...
Quite a few times I've arrived from CPH and they've called out pax to TMP to either hurry or "contact ground staff" (ie take the bus).
Quite a few times I've arrived from CPH and they've called out pax to TMP to either hurry or "contact ground staff" (ie take the bus).
Jul 18, 2016, 3:57 am
#199
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,601
haven't been to non-Schengen for a little while and now I read that they have added new passport control gates and even a special handling for short connections, has anyone experienced how special is that?
Also, the new bussing gate 36 they tell that they plan to add a special priority bus that allows people to board first, anyone with experience? I find that hmmm...I would prefer to sit in premium lounge and have a last boarding bus called up
Also, the new bussing gate 36 they tell that they plan to add a special priority bus that allows people to board first, anyone with experience? I find that hmmm...I would prefer to sit in premium lounge and have a last boarding bus called up
Jul 25, 2016, 3:50 pm
#200
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
Hello all,
Im sure you've been asked this before so I apologise but isn't it easier to type than read through the pages?!
I have a 50 minute connection from LHR onto BKK. booked with Finnair but incoming flight on BA. My worry is not myself making the connection but the checked bag. Do the collective think that HEL can get the bags to the plane within that time?
Im sure you've been asked this before so I apologise but isn't it easier to type than read through the pages?!
I have a 50 minute connection from LHR onto BKK. booked with Finnair but incoming flight on BA. My worry is not myself making the connection but the checked bag. Do the collective think that HEL can get the bags to the plane within that time?
Jul 25, 2016, 3:57 pm
#202
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
I was just about to write I've never had a bag failure at HEL, but realised it would be a lie. Just 2 weeks ago, 1 bag of 4 didn't make a normal short connection. So that is one time in seven years for me.
Jul 26, 2016, 1:50 am
#203
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
A few years back, my sister was on KTT-HEL-BUD with 40 minutes time to change in HEL. Her suitcase did not make it on the same flight to BUD, but was delivered to her the next day. But that is the only time I have experience baggage not being transferred in HEL in time for the connecting flight...
So I wouldn't worry about it.
So I wouldn't worry about it.
Jul 26, 2016, 3:02 am
#204
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
My worries should be unfounded then. The only time I've ever had bags not make it was less than 1hr connections. However most of the time it's been through MAD. The Finnish should be more efficient than the Spanish!
Jul 26, 2016, 2:05 pm
#205
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
Well, HEL airport is going through one of its more chaotic periods with an expansion program running over several years. And this summer they are supposed to take an new temporary "luggage hall" online (a place where loaders unload bags onto the conveyer system - since this is new it must be the premium place for a bag to be;-). And it is busy season and with new capacity introduces, they at least have ASK all time high, so maybe take some precaution. If there are stuff you must have with you at all times, bring them in carry on.
But in general, I wouldn't worry.
But in general, I wouldn't worry.
Jul 27, 2016, 5:47 am
#206
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
Well, HEL airport is going through one of its more chaotic periods with an expansion program running over several years. And this summer they are supposed to take an new temporary "luggage hall" online (a place where loaders unload bags onto the conveyer system - since this is new it must be the premium place for a bag to be;-). And it is busy season and with new capacity introduces, they at least have ASK all time high, so maybe take some precaution. If there are stuff you must have with you at all times, bring them in carry on.
But in general, I wouldn't worry.
But in general, I wouldn't worry.
Thanks for the advice
Aug 4, 2016, 2:49 am
#207
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
I wanted to put a report of a recent transfer experience in this thread (the initial discussion was held in the meet-up thread)
So this is what happened:
I called Finnair and asked them to arrange assistance for the transfer. After asking the age of the traveller they said OK. In practice, what they did was to add a "Service Request" section in the Amadeus booking record. I was given no instructions other than someone will help the traveller. I naturally assumed someone would show up at the arrival gate and help the traveller find the way though passport control and to the departure gate.
When traveller arrived HEL, no assistance showed up. The traveller is a pensioner that does not speak any english and was flying alone for the first time in his life. This is really really bad. We trusted them, they failed.
When I now try to find out why this didn't work, I can read on the Finavia page that it is the airport staff that provides assistance. It has to be booked via the airline, but then you also have to register for it at the airport. Register points are located landside and seems to consist of automated telephones where your call is routed to the assistant which you then need to negotiate the assistance with.
This procedure is naturally totally impossible for a transfer passenger to complete. If someone can't navigate the airport for a transfer, how could they be able to go landside to find a certain telephone? If they are on a 50 minute connection, how can this procedure with registering even work?
The conclusion I draw from this is that transfer assistance might be offered on paper but can never work in real life. Very convenient for the staff hired to do the work.
The fact that they offer shopping assistants (in several languages including chinese) but not transfer help is quite telling.
Luckily, I had made a fallback plan.
First, I had booked an award ticket for a second relative who is more travel savvy, to go with him on the shorthaul connection.
No economy awards were available, so it had to be in J. And that forced me to upgrade traveller 1 to J as well, so that they could sit together.
Also, since AY won't sell same day return awards, I had to book a hotel in HEL for the relative who did the assistance.
All in all, this costed 36 500 points and 39€ for the flights and 92€ for hotel and transfer to the city for the assistant. The assistant wasted 2 workdays.
I don't care about the costs and such and the assisting relative was happy to make a detour to help.
What really makes me angry is the total service failure and that Finnair and Finavia can't be trusted with something that is a common and very simple task and that works flawlessly at many other airports.
Actually, this is to Asia, CPH-HEL-CAN.
I've looked into transfer service. Finavia decided to offer multi lingual staff to assist with shopping, but not with transfers. They have their priorities - people come to HEL to shop, not to fly...
Finavia claims they have multi lingual staff "all over the airport to assist" but I have never seen any of them ever.
I've looked into transfer service. Finavia decided to offer multi lingual staff to assist with shopping, but not with transfers. They have their priorities - people come to HEL to shop, not to fly...
Finavia claims they have multi lingual staff "all over the airport to assist" but I have never seen any of them ever.
I called Finnair and asked them to arrange assistance for the transfer. After asking the age of the traveller they said OK. In practice, what they did was to add a "Service Request" section in the Amadeus booking record. I was given no instructions other than someone will help the traveller. I naturally assumed someone would show up at the arrival gate and help the traveller find the way though passport control and to the departure gate.
When traveller arrived HEL, no assistance showed up. The traveller is a pensioner that does not speak any english and was flying alone for the first time in his life. This is really really bad. We trusted them, they failed.
When I now try to find out why this didn't work, I can read on the Finavia page that it is the airport staff that provides assistance. It has to be booked via the airline, but then you also have to register for it at the airport. Register points are located landside and seems to consist of automated telephones where your call is routed to the assistant which you then need to negotiate the assistance with.
This procedure is naturally totally impossible for a transfer passenger to complete. If someone can't navigate the airport for a transfer, how could they be able to go landside to find a certain telephone? If they are on a 50 minute connection, how can this procedure with registering even work?
The conclusion I draw from this is that transfer assistance might be offered on paper but can never work in real life. Very convenient for the staff hired to do the work.
The fact that they offer shopping assistants (in several languages including chinese) but not transfer help is quite telling.
Luckily, I had made a fallback plan.
First, I had booked an award ticket for a second relative who is more travel savvy, to go with him on the shorthaul connection.
No economy awards were available, so it had to be in J. And that forced me to upgrade traveller 1 to J as well, so that they could sit together.
Also, since AY won't sell same day return awards, I had to book a hotel in HEL for the relative who did the assistance.
All in all, this costed 36 500 points and 39€ for the flights and 92€ for hotel and transfer to the city for the assistant. The assistant wasted 2 workdays.
I don't care about the costs and such and the assisting relative was happy to make a detour to help.
What really makes me angry is the total service failure and that Finnair and Finavia can't be trusted with something that is a common and very simple task and that works flawlessly at many other airports.
Last edited by intuition; Aug 4, 2016 at 2:54 am
Aug 4, 2016, 6:30 am
#208
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Aug 4, 2016, 6:47 am
#209
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
Well, YMMV. I guess having HEL as final destination is slightly easier than doing a transfer (however there is the challenge of understanding what baggage hall to go to).
Now, Finavia seems focused on disabled passengers, since there is a law and a supervisory authority (trafi) for that. I guess someone local with energy can always escalate a service failure for disabled pax to them but I won't bother. (Complaining to Finavia is always pointless IME)
Now, Finavia seems focused on disabled passengers, since there is a law and a supervisory authority (trafi) for that. I guess someone local with energy can always escalate a service failure for disabled pax to them but I won't bother. (Complaining to Finavia is always pointless IME)
Aug 4, 2016, 8:01 am
#210
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 517
At HEL Finavia has subcontracted assistance to Lassila & Tikanoja and they will meet arriving passengers by the aircraft, given that the information has been correct in airlines system and appropriate PSM (Passenger Service Message) has been sent by the DCS. If no assistance in sight, the gate personnel (or flight crew) should deal with the problem and call the assistance.