Mar 1, 2014, 8:31 am
Last edit by: hillrider
Finnair is replacing slanted lie-flat J class seats with horizontal lie-flat seats, the Zodiak UK Vantage, on its long-haul fleet.
For more information, see Finnair's website here.
Overall upgrade program status
As of 05DEC14 the following have the new horizontal seats in J:
Routes with horizontal full-flat business class seat
As of the dates below, all flights on listed routes will normally be performed by aircraft with horizontal full-flat seat in business class. Routes not listed will mainly be served by the older A340s or a mix of old & new, supply allowing.
2014-04-01 - NRT, JFK
2014-05-01 - PEK, ICN
2014-06-01 - PVG, KIX, NGO and HAN (seasonal)
2014 winter - HKG (seasonal) *)
*) Original press release stated HKG full-flat from 2014-06-01. Some flights are indeed scheduled with new J, but current info on AY website says HKG full flat only during winter season.
Please note that AY can and will swap aircrafts due to operational reasons, and there is no guarantee a certain route will be served by a certain aircraft. It is a very small fleet and any technical issue not resolved in a few hours will lead to equipment changes, which will have a domino effect throughout the fleet.
Individual upgrade status of each plane
As of 05DEC14 (click on RegNo for seatmap)
For more information, see Finnair's website here.
Overall upgrade program status
As of 05DEC14 the following have the new horizontal seats in J:
- 57% of the 343 fleet (4 of 7 aircraft)
- 100% of the 333 fleet (8 of 8 aircraft)
- equivalent to 80% of the long haul fleet (12 of 15 aircraft)
Routes with horizontal full-flat business class seat
As of the dates below, all flights on listed routes will normally be performed by aircraft with horizontal full-flat seat in business class. Routes not listed will mainly be served by the older A340s or a mix of old & new, supply allowing.
2014-04-01 - NRT, JFK
2014-05-01 - PEK, ICN
2014-06-01 - PVG, KIX, NGO and HAN (seasonal)
2014 winter - HKG (seasonal) *)
*) Original press release stated HKG full-flat from 2014-06-01. Some flights are indeed scheduled with new J, but current info on AY website says HKG full flat only during winter season.
Please note that AY can and will swap aircrafts due to operational reasons, and there is no guarantee a certain route will be served by a certain aircraft. It is a very small fleet and any technical issue not resolved in a few hours will lead to equipment changes, which will have a domino effect throughout the fleet.
Individual upgrade status of each plane
As of 05DEC14 (click on RegNo for seatmap)
Code:
Airbus A340 RegNo Full flat since ------ ------------ OH-LQA Old slanted seats OH-LQB 2014-03-27 OH-LQC 2014-05-29 OH-LQD 2014-04-21 OH-LQE 2014-05-16 OH-LQF Old slanted seats OH-LQG Old slanted seats Airbus A330 RegNo Full flat since ------ ------------ OH-LTM 2014-11-09 OH-LTN 2014-12-05 OH-LTO 2014-02-27 OH-LTP 2014-03-11 OH-LTR 2009-12-17 OH-LTS 2010-02-11 OH-LTT 2010-04-21 OH-LTU 2010-11-26
Reports on Hard product upgrades
Jun 24, 2014, 9:49 am
#136
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www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-finnair-plus/1578177-ay5-jfk-diverts-halifax-3.html
Post#41 ff if you want some background.
Post#41 ff if you want some background.
Jun 24, 2014, 9:54 am
#137
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Thanks. Is it definitely a 787 operating for LOT, or is there a risk it could be one of their older 767s?
Any opinion whether I should call AY and ask to be rerouted on AA or BA via LHR? We are booked on award tix in business class.
Any opinion whether I should call AY and ask to be rerouted on AA or BA via LHR? We are booked on award tix in business class.
Jun 24, 2014, 10:23 am
#138
Join Date: Aug 2011
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"LOT Polish Airlines will operate the route with Boeing 787 aircraft from 1st July until 16th July. Finnair Airbus 330 aircraft is expected to return to traffic after mid-July."
Jun 24, 2014, 10:48 am
#139
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Jun 24, 2014, 12:12 pm
#140
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Thanks. So, is the consensus opinion that a LOT 787 is better than rerouting on BA or AA via LHR?
Just discovered that the new lounge is delayed and wont be open when I transit HEL. Pretty bummed about that. Was looking forward to a sauna and shower.
Just discovered that the new lounge is delayed and wont be open when I transit HEL. Pretty bummed about that. Was looking forward to a sauna and shower.
Jun 24, 2014, 1:35 pm
#141
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Jun 24, 2014, 2:27 pm
#142
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2. Assuming that you do (and I think they are using the premium ecomony as business also), then they might not allow reroute, since they are keeping the same schedule, etc.
Jun 28, 2014, 5:52 am
#143
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Would certainly be nice to end up on the 787 in biz, but can they really put you in a premium econ seat and still keep the whole business class fare of your ticket?
Jun 28, 2014, 9:30 am
#144
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 54
Can they _really_ charge the Busineas Class fee from Premium Economy seats? Essentially, the entire product offering would be different than at the time of the purchasing decision.
What are my options if the downgrade happens? Skip the flight and call AY to get the money back? Anything else. To be honest, I'd much rather skip the flight than to take it in economy..
Jul 4, 2014, 3:26 pm
#145
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Reports on Hard product upgrades
Just got off. Premium economy seats were coach seats for lucky passengers. Son and I on AA award got new seats at gate without asking.
Jul 5, 2014, 7:24 am
#146
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
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Good news indeed, and PE instead of E is definitely an "upgrade" of sorts. 
Logically thinking it would be so, so wrong to put paying biz pax in PE and expect them to accept this as something they had paid for.
Win-win situation for everyone it seems. Biz pax get a very good C product on the 787, whereas some lucky econ pax get to check out a premium economy product not available on AY.
Logically thinking it would be so, so wrong to put paying biz pax in PE and expect them to accept this as something they had paid for.Win-win situation for everyone it seems. Biz pax get a very good C product on the 787, whereas some lucky econ pax get to check out a premium economy product not available on AY.
Jul 5, 2014, 9:06 am
#147
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It was the same in January. If no business tickets were downgraded, then all is good, no?
Jul 16, 2014, 10:13 am
#148
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Today's AY 5 HEL-JFK flight appears to still be a LOT 787. My return flight on 7/19 is showing as an AY 333. Anyone know if the flight is definitely a 333 or may we get the 787? Have to say I'm hoping for the 787 again, our outbound flight on the 787 was great.
Jul 16, 2014, 10:31 am
#149
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OH-LTP, that was the culprit, is back in service since 2 days. Unless something else happened (or they are using this opportunity), I guess everything should be back to normal anyday now.