May 24, 2014, 3:39 am
Last edit by: SPBanker
Possible pre-look at the new AY Premium lounge for FT regulars
UPDATE 29/7 (by SPBanker): Finnair has informed us that the date/time for the pre-visit is July 31st at 6:00 pm. This has been confirmed.
Currently we have following FT members on the list. If you are not on the list, but you think you should be (1-2 can still be accommodated), please PM SPBanker ASAP, by the latest July 30th, 11:00 am (Eastern European time). We have tried to contact everyone who expressed interest, but the holidays may have caused some interruptions in communication....
Another note from Finnair related to the current lounge renovation/lack of Schengen lounge for certain normally eligible pax:
Anyone accessing the non-Schengen departure area without non-Schengen boarding pass (=with Schengen departure) is subject to border control violation.
************************************************** **********
UPDATE 29/7 (by SPBanker): Finnair has informed us that the date/time for the pre-visit is July 31st at 6:00 pm. This has been confirmed.
Currently we have following FT members on the list. If you are not on the list, but you think you should be (1-2 can still be accommodated), please PM SPBanker ASAP, by the latest July 30th, 11:00 am (Eastern European time). We have tried to contact everyone who expressed interest, but the holidays may have caused some interruptions in communication....
- SPBanker
- remymartin
- WilcoRoger
- Helsinki Flyer
- Lappe
- kauppias
- OH-LGG
- cistavoda
- Courmisch
- giucca
- Post Scriptum
- haa
- AY0005
Another note from Finnair related to the current lounge renovation/lack of Schengen lounge for certain normally eligible pax:
Anyone accessing the non-Schengen departure area without non-Schengen boarding pass (=with Schengen departure) is subject to border control violation.
************************************************** **********
New HEL lounge - when will it open (and how can we get invited)
Jul 30, 2014, 12:36 am
#151
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
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
Hope you all have a great sneak peak!
As it turns out I am available. Family rejected my carfully planned HKG trip (with all family members achieving status) as unrealisticly expensive. They wouldn't hear about good value for money either, and summer in Asias world city was scrapped for drinks by the pool in Greece.
What isn't available is flights to HEL. AY's last flight HEL-CPH is at 1745 (!) during summer dry, so no way to fly AY in&out. No award availability either. So no matter how nice I think a sneak peak would be, it is not worth an overnighter.
(unless RemyMartin is in party mood. However rumor has it he went to an gym the other day
As it turns out I am available. Family rejected my carfully planned HKG trip (with all family members achieving status) as unrealisticly expensive. They wouldn't hear about good value for money either, and summer in Asias world city was scrapped for drinks by the pool in Greece.
What isn't available is flights to HEL. AY's last flight HEL-CPH is at 1745 (!) during summer dry, so no way to fly AY in&out. No award availability either. So no matter how nice I think a sneak peak would be, it is not worth an overnighter.
(unless RemyMartin is in party mood. However rumor has it he went to an gym the other day
Jul 30, 2014, 12:53 am
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Jul 30, 2014, 1:37 am
#153
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,786
Jul 30, 2014, 5:53 am
#155
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: AMEX Plat / AY Plat, BA GGL-CCR / Bonvoy Titanium (LTP)
Posts: 474
Close call - but maybe it would be a stretch to claim that both projects were delayed intentionally...
http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/new...ication-phase/
http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/new...ication-phase/
Jul 30, 2014, 8:01 am
#157
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), SK G(*G), BW Diamond
Posts: 810
Any top tips for parking for such a short stint, I guess 1-2 hours? From Finavia's website I find only charges for 10min-60min visits or 1 day and onwards, does the parking hall next to Hilton (P4 or whatever) has some hourly rate as well.
On a side note, will be arriving to the airport by car from Tapiola direction via KehäI and can take passengers should there be a dire need for transfer options, pm etc.
Naturally I can also hop in to someone else's car.
On a side note, will be arriving to the airport by car from Tapiola direction via KehäI and can take passengers should there be a dire need for transfer options, pm etc.
Naturally I can also hop in to someone else's car.
Jul 30, 2014, 8:08 am
#158
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
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
Jul 30, 2014, 8:14 am
#159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
I'd say P2 is the best - just follow the signs for T2 parking
Jul 30, 2014, 10:42 am
#161
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,294
Have fun and share your experience.
Jul 31, 2014, 12:37 pm
#163
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,294
First, let me thank Markku for making the visit possible! Second, let's thank all the AY, BA and JL people who participated. I personally had very nice discussions with our Japanese friends, for example.
I really did like the cool Finnish/Scandinavian vibe of lounge, obviously some thinking went into the color scheme etc. I don't how many passengers will appreciate the differences between the chairs designed by different people, but there are quite a few different chairs to try...
There are lots of sockets, but no USBs.
I really liked these.
These are in the secluded area from the quiet part of the lounge.
Quiet area.
Tomorrow noon this will be the kitchen.
The famous uni-sex sauna. It holds three people comfortably, 4-5 if you really squeeze them in tight. So, choose your sauna partners carefully.
I gotta say that the showers are much better than the ones in the old lounge.
Assortment of wines available in the new lounge.
I really did like the cool Finnish/Scandinavian vibe of lounge, obviously some thinking went into the color scheme etc. I don't how many passengers will appreciate the differences between the chairs designed by different people, but there are quite a few different chairs to try...
There are lots of sockets, but no USBs.
I really liked these.
These are in the secluded area from the quiet part of the lounge.
Quiet area.
Tomorrow noon this will be the kitchen.
The famous uni-sex sauna. It holds three people comfortably, 4-5 if you really squeeze them in tight. So, choose your sauna partners carefully.
I gotta say that the showers are much better than the ones in the old lounge.
Assortment of wines available in the new lounge.
Jul 31, 2014, 12:53 pm
#164
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
Thanks for the pictures, hope you had a great time! 
Looks very nice, love the colour palette chosen, very Finnish indeed! ^
Plenty of comfortable looking seating options, how would you say it compares size-wise with the existing lounge?
Can't wait to try it in 3 weeks time! ^
Looks very nice, love the colour palette chosen, very Finnish indeed!
^Plenty of comfortable looking seating options, how would you say it compares size-wise with the existing lounge?
Can't wait to try it in 3 weeks time! ^
Jul 31, 2014, 1:19 pm
#165
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,603
Great pictures. I can't believe that there will be such a nice lounge in Helsinki. Did you learn anything about the offerings. Will the Châteauneuf-du-Pape be free of charge? If yes, that's just great. If not, it's ok and expected. I noticed there were also representatives from BA. Will they abandon the almost@home now that there is more space at the old lounge? I know I should have joined you.