AY Schengen lounge at HEL
Aug 12, 2014, 2:07 am
#121
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), Hertz PC, Sixt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 275
"normal" Lounge
when will the normal lounge be opened, is the actual date been released?
this info can only be found;
"Please note that Finnair Lounge is closed for complete renovation from 1 July until mid-autumn 2014"
this info can only be found;
"Please note that Finnair Lounge is closed for complete renovation from 1 July until mid-autumn 2014"
Aug 27, 2014, 2:11 pm
#123
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
I don't find the above statement 30.9. anywhere, but instead find the "until mid-autumn" statement on AY pages in english and finnish.
I hate to read that mid-autumn which can be anything up to Dec. I hate to wait in HEL, it is boring airport with boring narrow corridors.
I hate to read that mid-autumn which can be anything up to Dec. I hate to wait in HEL, it is boring airport with boring narrow corridors.
Aug 28, 2014, 7:06 am
#124
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
The infobox is located on this link (perhaps elsewhere as well)
https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/finna...e-travel-class
And you are not the only one upset by the current arrangement, I was shocked at how many disgruntled silvers and golds the lounge attendant had to turn away during the 30 min I was there during the afternoon rush hour. Quite surprisingly, a majority of admissions during that time were PP or Lounge Angel, everyone signing a receipt.
I'll use it since it's offered, but I would definitely not pay a cent for entry, the food options were quite shocking along with the capacity problems.
Can't wait for the new lounge to open as well! ^
https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/finna...e-travel-class
And you are not the only one upset by the current arrangement, I was shocked at how many disgruntled silvers and golds the lounge attendant had to turn away during the 30 min I was there during the afternoon rush hour. Quite surprisingly, a majority of admissions during that time were PP or Lounge Angel, everyone signing a receipt.
I'll use it since it's offered, but I would definitely not pay a cent for entry, the food options were quite shocking along with the capacity problems.
Can't wait for the new lounge to open as well! ^
Last edited by Flythe96flag; Aug 28, 2014 at 7:23 am
Sep 5, 2014, 7:45 am
#126
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), Hertz PC, Sixt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 275
The opening will be delayed from originally stated;
"The renovation is estimated to be completed by mid-October. "
https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/finna...e-travel-class
"The renovation is estimated to be completed by mid-October. "
https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/finna...e-travel-class
Sep 10, 2014, 4:22 am
#128
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
Uups. Looks like I am not good at adding pictures here.
Anyway, I visited the toilet in front of the Schengen lounge and I peered in the glass windows. The lounge definitely looked very far from ready, there was a lot of work still to be done.
There was also the above picture on the door so I thought I would post here. Gives some idea how the layout will be.
Anyway, I visited the toilet in front of the Schengen lounge and I peered in the glass windows. The lounge definitely looked very far from ready, there was a lot of work still to be done.
There was also the above picture on the door so I thought I would post here. Gives some idea how the layout will be.
Sep 10, 2014, 1:11 pm
#129
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 93
The opening will be delayed from originally stated;
"The renovation is estimated to be completed by mid-October. "
https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/finna...e-travel-class
"The renovation is estimated to be completed by mid-October. "
https://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/finna...e-travel-class
Sep 10, 2014, 10:50 pm
#130
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), Hertz PC, Sixt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 275
I have asked the compensating service from AY, but the tone of the messages have been "it is, what it is". The "solution" offered by AY was the possibility to downgrade me back to Y, so that I wouldn't have to worry about the missed lounge access no more. Nice going!
Sep 11, 2014, 12:01 am
#131
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AY Plat
Posts: 127
Finnair is happy to pay for the construction company but "forgot" to think about lounge eligible customers? They could have (would have had to) give e.g. 10 e voucher to airport cafes, not the same as lounge access but at least to show good will, "we are sorry but hope you like fresh coffee!"
But no. Very bad thinking.
But no. Very bad thinking.
Sep 11, 2014, 3:00 am
#132
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,784
Finnair is happy to pay for the construction company but "forgot" to think about lounge eligible customers? They could have (would have had to) give e.g. 10 e voucher to airport cafes, not the same as lounge access but at least to show good will, "we are sorry but hope you like fresh coffee!"
But no. Very bad thinking.
But no. Very bad thinking.
Sep 11, 2014, 3:11 am
#133
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
Sep 11, 2014, 7:05 am
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
I was at the Aspire lounge this week - the front desk must be REALLY p.ssed off by this arrangement. They must turn away about half (or even more) of pax trying to enter - AY J pax and OWR/OWS elites.
At 6:30 am the crowd is still manageblae , but by 7 it becomes REALLY overcrowded - so it is understandable, that access is very limited, BUT it is really bad show from AY to not even offer a 10€ coupon valid anywhere at the airport.
(the plat desk c/i lady said that the lounge would be opened next year - I couldn't/wouldn't believe my ears and just hope that I either misheard or she was very misinformed. So let's not take it seriously - yet)
At 6:30 am the crowd is still manageblae , but by 7 it becomes REALLY overcrowded - so it is understandable, that access is very limited, BUT it is really bad show from AY to not even offer a 10€ coupon valid anywhere at the airport.
(the plat desk c/i lady said that the lounge would be opened next year - I couldn't/wouldn't believe my ears and just hope that I either misheard or she was very misinformed. So let's not take it seriously - yet)
Sep 11, 2014, 10:43 am
#135
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
Perhaps the lounge will be opened in stages, with the first part opening in October, and the full facilities opening next year?
Or then this is Finnair's *ingenious*
strategy of postponing the opening on a monthly basis, to dilute the anger which would ensue a direct "no lounge access for the next 6-12 months" approach... 
Or then this is Finnair's *ingenious*
strategy of postponing the opening on a monthly basis, to dilute the anger which would ensue a direct "no lounge access for the next 6-12 months" approach...