Last edit by: NewbieRunner
This lounge is now closed and replaced by the Finnair Premium Wing.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-finnair-plus/1973050-ay-platinum-wing-now-open.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-finnair-plus/1973050-ay-platinum-wing-now-open.html
Finnair Premium Lounge in non-Schengen area [now closed]
#1
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,256
Finnair Premium Lounge in non-Schengen area [now closed]
In a country where there's around one sauna for every three people, incorporating one into the new lounge seemed a natural thing to do.
Read more... http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/23/tr...html?hpt=hp_c5
Read more... http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/23/tr...html?hpt=hp_c5
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,772
This was posted info was already posted in October in this thread:
Last edited by JDiver; Jun 24, 2014 at 12:29 pm Reason: deleted thread url to this thread
#3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ex-Eurocheat in London
Programs: BA Silver, MUCCI
Posts: 582
Since I need some TPs and I always wanted to go to HEL, I will do so next month. Do they provide Towels and are there lockers for Hand luggage? I might go early and try the Sauna.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AY Plat
Posts: 127
I find the logistics very strange. I have seen several other kinds of unisex saunas and they normally have two separate shower cabinets with no visual from the sauna, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen, after a shower one can comfortably wear the towel and enter the sauna when ready. This sauna is very strange if you ask me. It's like my private sauna at home.
Last edited by Benzin; Oct 18, 2014 at 10:18 am Reason: typos
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ex-Eurocheat in London
Programs: BA Silver, MUCCI
Posts: 582
Thank you very much for this detailed explanation. Strange how things like leaving the clothes in an unlocked shower are not picked up those designing these things.
I don't have a problem with being naked, that's the way we do Sauna in Germany (albeit I don't live there anymore) and the Scandinavian countries (you use the towel to sit on, not to wrap yourself into it) So, I will give it a try.
I don't have a problem with being naked, that's the way we do Sauna in Germany (albeit I don't live there anymore) and the Scandinavian countries (you use the towel to sit on, not to wrap yourself into it) So, I will give it a try.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AY Plat
Posts: 127
Oh yes, another thing is that in the private shower cabinet there is of course a sink and lavatory but the toilet paper is on the opposite wall and you cannot reach it... So be prepared...
I would use a "pefletti" (single use sheet with paper on one side and plastic on the other) to sit on if available and I recall they had those in the pre-sauna shower room (and I think I used one...). And I would not wrap myself in the towel normally but that is what Finnair is wishing we do for the unisex idea I guess. As a Finn nudity is no problem for me but to keep things socially acceptable for everyone from everywhere Finnair is hoping we wrap the towel around us. But if that is the case then how come they grant us full visual from the sauna to the shower..?
Designers. Blew it. And the people who paid for this. (https://gallery.finnair.com/section/...remium_lounge/)
I would use a "pefletti" (single use sheet with paper on one side and plastic on the other) to sit on if available and I recall they had those in the pre-sauna shower room (and I think I used one...). And I would not wrap myself in the towel normally but that is what Finnair is wishing we do for the unisex idea I guess. As a Finn nudity is no problem for me but to keep things socially acceptable for everyone from everywhere Finnair is hoping we wrap the towel around us. But if that is the case then how come they grant us full visual from the sauna to the shower..?
Designers. Blew it. And the people who paid for this. (https://gallery.finnair.com/section/...remium_lounge/)
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: KUO
Programs: AY,SK,SU,M&M,HH,IHG,Le
Posts: 25
Designers. Blew it. And the people who paid for this. (https://gallery.finnair.com/section/...remium_lounge/)
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,083
Yesterday 4 pm-ish there was a 30 pax long queue in front of the reception desk (no kidding, I counted!) During the afternoons, with all the Asian flights leaving within a 1 hour window things are really, really bad.
#9
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: 5,267
I flew HEL-NRT Monday last week, and there were maybe 10 people in the line. Both old lounge and Premiun were full, not fighting-for-seats full, but full. I shudder to think how the situation would be without expansion. Happy to report that Premium lounge food offerings were still at their previous, high level.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,083
#11
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,132
Agreed and happy to hear it.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest, BT Exec
Posts: 2,249
Stayed in lounge last sunday afternoon from 2 pm to 5 pm. Entry with BA mobile BP in J was not very smooth. First was directed to AlmostHome, after explaining that I have a BA gold card next to the cattle hall with business class paxes and AY silvers (God forbid!), and only after showing the actual plastic and the green oval, hesitantly to premium lounge.
A recliner on the back stage was very comfortable, food and wine of good quality, and serenity remained for about one hour. After which came the rush. Had to queue to get anything to drink after that.
I would not mind further entry restrictions as suggested above + a strict enforcement of it. Sapphire card holders in only with an OW business class ticket?
OT: BA presence in the HEL check-in is very poor, only around 2 hours before their flights. Lucky to having done phone check-in and not having any luggage to check-in. I suppose AY would be handling passengers with BA-tickets flying AY-metal? And the fast track problem still persists (OT of OT: also for Lufty in Terminal 1)...
A recliner on the back stage was very comfortable, food and wine of good quality, and serenity remained for about one hour. After which came the rush. Had to queue to get anything to drink after that.
I would not mind further entry restrictions as suggested above + a strict enforcement of it. Sapphire card holders in only with an OW business class ticket?
OT: BA presence in the HEL check-in is very poor, only around 2 hours before their flights. Lucky to having done phone check-in and not having any luggage to check-in. I suppose AY would be handling passengers with BA-tickets flying AY-metal? And the fast track problem still persists (OT of OT: also for Lufty in Terminal 1)...
Last edited by TTL; Oct 22, 2014 at 5:06 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mostly EU & (SE)Asia
Programs: Various shiny cards at hotel chains and airlines
Posts: 1,038
I would not mind further entry restrictions as suggested above + a strict enforcement of it. Sapphire card holders in only with an OW business class ticket?
OT: BA presence in the HEL check-in is very poor, only around 2 hours before their flights. Lucky to having done phone check-in and not having any luggage to check-in. I suppose AY would be handling passengers with BA-tickets flying AY-metal? And the fast track problem still persists (OT of OT: also for Lufty in Terminal 1)...
OT: BA presence in the HEL check-in is very poor, only around 2 hours before their flights. Lucky to having done phone check-in and not having any luggage to check-in. I suppose AY would be handling passengers with BA-tickets flying AY-metal? And the fast track problem still persists (OT of OT: also for Lufty in Terminal 1)...
Regarding check-in, it always depends on the metal - i.e. if flight is operated by AY, then they will do the check in, regardless on which codeshare (may it be BA, CX, AF, AB... etc) it was issued.
#14
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,132
I've said it before...
Building a premium lounge and then allowing Plat, gold, Emerald and Sapphire access is a mistake.
Everywhere else in the oneworld-world you need a Emerald card to get into the premium lounges. Yes, they are often labled "first" but if AY had first on their flight, this lounge would be the place they let first class pax enter.
I understand that AY's problems start with capacity in the normal J lounge (and therefore wants to move larger amounts of travellers to the premium one), but this is something they only can blame themselves for.
Building a premium lounge and then allowing Plat, gold, Emerald and Sapphire access is a mistake.
Everywhere else in the oneworld-world you need a Emerald card to get into the premium lounges. Yes, they are often labled "first" but if AY had first on their flight, this lounge would be the place they let first class pax enter.
I understand that AY's problems start with capacity in the normal J lounge (and therefore wants to move larger amounts of travellers to the premium one), but this is something they only can blame themselves for.
#15
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,132
I'd wish AY did the math. A normal day between 17.05 and 18.05 there are 9 longhaul departures. The seating capacity in J alone on these flights is closer to 400. Add to this any travellers in Y with a silver/gold/plat/Emer/Sapph card and their guests. A very moderate guess is that that adds at least 10 travellers per flight, ie another 90 entitled pax.
Now compare this number to the combined capacity of both the non-schengen lounges: Officially 372 pax, sitting and standing.
Now compare this number to the combined capacity of both the non-schengen lounges: Officially 372 pax, sitting and standing.
Last edited by intuition; Oct 22, 2014 at 8:16 am Reason: Added the correct official number of concurrent guests