Nov 4, 2015, 9:05 am
Last edit by: OH-LGG
Finnair (AY) company website dedicated for A350 fleet can be found HERE
!!
bold= new cabin
!!
A350 Deliveries
OH-LWA (msn 18) delivered 7th Oct 2015 is the first Finnair A350 and started long-haul operations as AY57 to PVG on 21st Nov 2015.
OH-LWB (msn 19) was delivered 14th Dec 2015, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 19th Dec 2015.
OH-LWC (msn 20) was delivered 31st Dec 2015, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 3rd Jan 2016.
OH-LWD (msn 22) was delivered 25th Mar 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 28th Mar 2016.
OH-LWE (msn 23) was delivered 29th Apr 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 1st May 2016
OH-LWF (msn 28) was delivered 25th Jun 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 27th Jun 2016
OH-LWG (msn 51) was delivered 29th Sep 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 30th Sep 2016
OH-LWH (msn 97) was delivered 04th Apr 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 5th Apr 2017
OH-LWI (msn 104) was delivered 02nd Jun 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 5th Jun 2017
OH-LWK (msn 113) was delivered 30th Jun 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 3rd Jul 2017
OH-LWL (msn 134) was delivered on 22th Sep 2017, started as AY 831 to LHR on 27th Sep 2017 and started longhauls on 29th Sep 2017 as AY89 to BKK.
OH-LWM (msn 264) was delivered on 13th Dec 2018, started long-haul operations as AY73 to NRT on 19th Dec 2018
OH-LWN (msn 273) was delivered on 13th Feb 2019, started long-haul operations as AY73 to NRT on 16th Feb 2019
OH-LWO (msn 300) was delivered on 26th Apr 2019, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 29th Apr 2019
OH-LWP (msn 392) was delivered on 10th Feb 2020, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 13th Feb 2020
OH-LWR (msn 410) was delivered on 1st Sep 2020, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 8th Sep 2020
OH-LWS (msn 516) was delivered on 29th Dec 2021, started long haul operations as AY87 to PVG (cargo only) on 24th Jan 2022, first pax service on 28th Feb 2022 as AY9
Seating
2 different configurations exists.
J/46 Y/251: Features 2 J cabins. First 8 birds and 12th(LWA-LWH, LWM) has this config
J/32 Y/304: The minicabin is removed and replaced with Y seating. Babycots in 1L and 41L. Birds 9-11, 13, 15 (LWI-LWL, LWN, LWP) has this config, a.k.a. marsuhäkki config.
Complete seatmap and layout of config 1 can be found HERE and config 2 is here.
Business Class features Zodiac Cirrus III full-flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 abreast config, all seats with direct access to the aisle. Config1 has two business class cabins, row1-8 and 9-12, while config2 only has one (row 1-8). Early reviews has preferred front cabin over minicabin, and for best window seat, row 2 or 1 may be preferable, row 1 for aisle seats.
As operations of A350 has matured, it has become practice to set the snack-bar on top of the cupboard in front of row 1, making row 1 experience a lot of foot traffic and noise.
Config2 also suffers from low toilet/pax quota (2 toilets / 32 pax) as the aft toilets has been assigned to the high density Y cabin, further contributing to high foot traffic in the front of the cabin. For these reasons, a seat further to the back may be preferable. However, all service start in the front and it will usually take a long time to get your meal in row 8.
For couples travelling together there is no clear choice. DH-seats are tilted towards each-other, but you still will not see the other person without leaning forwards. Seat across aisles (AD and HL respectively) has no barriers between them, but are tilted the wrong way and rows are also slightly misaligned.
Economy Comfort on A350 has the exact same seats as in economy, but with ≈4" inches more legroom. They also come with noise cancelling headphones, 1h internet, priority boarding and a small amenity kit.
Finnair platinums and OWE members can select these seats for free. (OWE must call to do so). Other passengers can select comfort seats for a fee, and seats are also sold after boarding.
On config1 comfort is row 21-25, while on config 2 comfort is row 21-24 + 25ABC and 25JKL. Row 21 is bulkhead and has slightly more space, as no seat reclines into the space. None of the configs has that super-space found on some retrofitted A330 though.
On config1 21AC and 21JL are the only paired seats making them preferable, but if you want to have IFE screen in the seat in front of you, pick row 22. On config2 all seats are in groups of 3, and it is also recommended to stay away from row 21 entirely, as it is entangled with the toilets.
In terms of space there are no seats in comfort cabin on either config that beats exit row 41A/C/J/L or 42A/L.
Economy Class features 3-3-3 abreast slimline seating with 32" pitch. The best seats are row 41 with most legroom on A/C/J/L (but they lack window), and row 42 A/L.
These are either labled "extra legroom" or "exit row" and are selectable with status or for a fee.
Economy cabin offers USB for charge - no AC outlets.
In-Flight Entertainment
IFE system is upgraded. Bigger screens, wider selection of movies and music, route mapper and control options. You can watch a movie from start to landing. You will have Bose noise-cancelling earphones in business class and in Economy comfort, and earplugs in economy class.
Wifi: you will see a code (in business class) in the screen when you open the IFE and select language. In economy class, you need to ask cabin crew for a voucher code if you are OWS/OWE, otherwise it costs you 7,95€ per hour, 11,95€ per three hours or 19,95€ for the whole flight. It may take some time until up in the air to get it started. Log in is required, once you have created an account and password, the system will recognize you next time.
Quality issues and early refurbishment
The seats in business class have had many quality issues from day one. Apart from some inherent problems with the seat design, there are also malfunctions and abnormal wear.
As every row has slightly different pitch, fittings and trimmings have had to de adopted manually. Apart from causing delays in delivery, this also has led to many things in the cabin tend to come loose, to squeak and to break.
In june 2017 it was announced that Airbus has accepted responsibility for the quality issues and will replace every seat on every plane delivered until that point in time (9 birds).
The refurbish will take place during the first round of major maintenance round, scheduled to start later this year.
There is no information if there will be any changes made at the same time (addressing complaints about cramped seats and missing stowage space for example), but most likely this is treated as a warranty action and so cabin will be equipped with the exact same seats and layout, albeit with a newer batch of seats.
More details and discussion:
FAM (Familiarization) flights were ongoing within European destinations until the first A350 aircraft was put on regular long-haul service on 21st November 2015. Here is a list of FAM flights quoted by a FT'er.
The "famous" introduction list with initial experiences can be found in THIS thread
Discussion about the first long-haul services and experiences can be found in another THREAD
Links to many trip reports can be found in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finn...ion-links.html.
!!
bold= new cabin
!!
A350 Deliveries
OH-LWA (msn 18) delivered 7th Oct 2015 is the first Finnair A350 and started long-haul operations as AY57 to PVG on 21st Nov 2015.
OH-LWB (msn 19) was delivered 14th Dec 2015, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 19th Dec 2015.
OH-LWC (msn 20) was delivered 31st Dec 2015, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 3rd Jan 2016.
OH-LWD (msn 22) was delivered 25th Mar 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 28th Mar 2016.
OH-LWE (msn 23) was delivered 29th Apr 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 1st May 2016
OH-LWF (msn 28) was delivered 25th Jun 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 27th Jun 2016
OH-LWG (msn 51) was delivered 29th Sep 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 30th Sep 2016
OH-LWH (msn 97) was delivered 04th Apr 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 5th Apr 2017
OH-LWI (msn 104) was delivered 02nd Jun 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 5th Jun 2017
OH-LWK (msn 113) was delivered 30th Jun 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 3rd Jul 2017
OH-LWL (msn 134) was delivered on 22th Sep 2017, started as AY 831 to LHR on 27th Sep 2017 and started longhauls on 29th Sep 2017 as AY89 to BKK.
OH-LWM (msn 264) was delivered on 13th Dec 2018, started long-haul operations as AY73 to NRT on 19th Dec 2018
OH-LWN (msn 273) was delivered on 13th Feb 2019, started long-haul operations as AY73 to NRT on 16th Feb 2019
OH-LWO (msn 300) was delivered on 26th Apr 2019, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 29th Apr 2019
OH-LWP (msn 392) was delivered on 10th Feb 2020, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 13th Feb 2020
OH-LWR (msn 410) was delivered on 1st Sep 2020, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 8th Sep 2020
OH-LWS (msn 516) was delivered on 29th Dec 2021, started long haul operations as AY87 to PVG (cargo only) on 24th Jan 2022, first pax service on 28th Feb 2022 as AY9
Seating
2 different configurations exists.
J/46 Y/251: Features 2 J cabins. First 8 birds and 12th(LWA-LWH, LWM) has this config
J/32 Y/304: The minicabin is removed and replaced with Y seating. Babycots in 1L and 41L. Birds 9-11, 13, 15 (LWI-LWL, LWN, LWP) has this config, a.k.a. marsuhäkki config.
Complete seatmap and layout of config 1 can be found HERE and config 2 is here.
Business Class features Zodiac Cirrus III full-flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 abreast config, all seats with direct access to the aisle. Config1 has two business class cabins, row1-8 and 9-12, while config2 only has one (row 1-8). Early reviews has preferred front cabin over minicabin, and for best window seat, row 2 or 1 may be preferable, row 1 for aisle seats.
As operations of A350 has matured, it has become practice to set the snack-bar on top of the cupboard in front of row 1, making row 1 experience a lot of foot traffic and noise.
Config2 also suffers from low toilet/pax quota (2 toilets / 32 pax) as the aft toilets has been assigned to the high density Y cabin, further contributing to high foot traffic in the front of the cabin. For these reasons, a seat further to the back may be preferable. However, all service start in the front and it will usually take a long time to get your meal in row 8.
For couples travelling together there is no clear choice. DH-seats are tilted towards each-other, but you still will not see the other person without leaning forwards. Seat across aisles (AD and HL respectively) has no barriers between them, but are tilted the wrong way and rows are also slightly misaligned.
Economy Comfort on A350 has the exact same seats as in economy, but with ≈4" inches more legroom. They also come with noise cancelling headphones, 1h internet, priority boarding and a small amenity kit.
Finnair platinums and OWE members can select these seats for free. (OWE must call to do so). Other passengers can select comfort seats for a fee, and seats are also sold after boarding.
On config1 comfort is row 21-25, while on config 2 comfort is row 21-24 + 25ABC and 25JKL. Row 21 is bulkhead and has slightly more space, as no seat reclines into the space. None of the configs has that super-space found on some retrofitted A330 though.
On config1 21AC and 21JL are the only paired seats making them preferable, but if you want to have IFE screen in the seat in front of you, pick row 22. On config2 all seats are in groups of 3, and it is also recommended to stay away from row 21 entirely, as it is entangled with the toilets.
In terms of space there are no seats in comfort cabin on either config that beats exit row 41A/C/J/L or 42A/L.
Economy Class features 3-3-3 abreast slimline seating with 32" pitch. The best seats are row 41 with most legroom on A/C/J/L (but they lack window), and row 42 A/L.
These are either labled "extra legroom" or "exit row" and are selectable with status or for a fee.
Economy cabin offers USB for charge - no AC outlets.
In-Flight Entertainment
IFE system is upgraded. Bigger screens, wider selection of movies and music, route mapper and control options. You can watch a movie from start to landing. You will have Bose noise-cancelling earphones in business class and in Economy comfort, and earplugs in economy class.
Wifi: you will see a code (in business class) in the screen when you open the IFE and select language. In economy class, you need to ask cabin crew for a voucher code if you are OWS/OWE, otherwise it costs you 7,95€ per hour, 11,95€ per three hours or 19,95€ for the whole flight. It may take some time until up in the air to get it started. Log in is required, once you have created an account and password, the system will recognize you next time.
Quality issues and early refurbishment
The seats in business class have had many quality issues from day one. Apart from some inherent problems with the seat design, there are also malfunctions and abnormal wear.
As every row has slightly different pitch, fittings and trimmings have had to de adopted manually. Apart from causing delays in delivery, this also has led to many things in the cabin tend to come loose, to squeak and to break.
In june 2017 it was announced that Airbus has accepted responsibility for the quality issues and will replace every seat on every plane delivered until that point in time (9 birds).
The refurbish will take place during the first round of major maintenance round, scheduled to start later this year.
There is no information if there will be any changes made at the same time (addressing complaints about cramped seats and missing stowage space for example), but most likely this is treated as a warranty action and so cabin will be equipped with the exact same seats and layout, albeit with a newer batch of seats.
More details and discussion:
FAM (Familiarization) flights were ongoing within European destinations until the first A350 aircraft was put on regular long-haul service on 21st November 2015. Here is a list of FAM flights quoted by a FT'er.
The "famous" introduction list with initial experiences can be found in THIS thread
Discussion about the first long-haul services and experiences can be found in another THREAD
Links to many trip reports can be found in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finn...ion-links.html.
Finnair A350 XWB master thread
Apr 8, 2017, 6:53 pm
#901
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,097
I'm booked on a LHR-HEL award ticket on the 350 two weeks out. How often does AY change aircraft on that leg? Is it likely to stick?
Apr 9, 2017, 1:03 am
#902
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat (OWE)
Posts: 493
Recent 2-month history is quite good and they will change it to A320/321 only in case of massive delays or technical issues.
Your changes to get A350 are high, much better than in horse races.
Apr 9, 2017, 1:42 am
#903
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,097
AY832 LHR-HEL has been A350 daily for 2 weeks now and not a single ac type change yet.
Recent 2-month history is quite good and they will change it to A320/321 only in case of massive delays or technical issues.
Your changes to get A350 are high, much better than in horse races.
Recent 2-month history is quite good and they will change it to A320/321 only in case of massive delays or technical issues.
Your changes to get A350 are high, much better than in horse races.
Apr 14, 2017, 3:53 am
#904
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AY Platinum
Posts: 287
Ok I am seriously becoming an A350 convert after initially hating the seat. I still dislike it when sitting due to the missing leg rest, but after yet another night flight where I slept incredibly well, I have to admit that I now prefer the A350.
Yes, the feet are a bit cramped, but the rest of the seat in bed mode feels much more fitting for my spine than the A330's seat, and then there's something else I can't put my finger on. Maybe the lower noise levels or better pressurization. I just feel so rested when I wake up.
Just booked a trip to Japan and will be flying A350 there and A330 back on the day flight. Should be a great combo.
Yes, the feet are a bit cramped, but the rest of the seat in bed mode feels much more fitting for my spine than the A330's seat, and then there's something else I can't put my finger on. Maybe the lower noise levels or better pressurization. I just feel so rested when I wake up.
Just booked a trip to Japan and will be flying A350 there and A330 back on the day flight. Should be a great combo.
Apr 14, 2017, 6:13 am
#905
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,643
Ok I am seriously becoming an A350 convert after initially hating the seat. I still dislike it when sitting due to the missing leg rest, but after yet another night flight where I slept incredibly well, I have to admit that I now prefer the A350.
Yes, the feet are a bit cramped, but the rest of the seat in bed mode feels much more fitting for my spine than the A330's seat, and then there's something else I can't put my finger on. Maybe the lower noise levels or better pressurization. I just feel so rested when I wake up.
Just booked a trip to Japan and will be flying A350 there and A330 back on the day flight. Should be a great combo.
Yes, the feet are a bit cramped, but the rest of the seat in bed mode feels much more fitting for my spine than the A330's seat, and then there's something else I can't put my finger on. Maybe the lower noise levels or better pressurization. I just feel so rested when I wake up.
Just booked a trip to Japan and will be flying A350 there and A330 back on the day flight. Should be a great combo.
Apr 14, 2017, 7:34 am
#906
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AY Platinum
Posts: 287
Apr 14, 2017, 11:23 pm
#908
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,643
Then again I assume you're Hel based and none would be a convenient option... it is just annoying that AY retorted to such a bad configuration of what is a great product in its original format.
Apr 28, 2017, 11:33 am
#909
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AY Platinum
Posts: 287
I flew HEL-LHR on OH-LWH today.
Having received an email looking for volunteers due to overbooking, I was a bit worried. To me, it sounded an awful lot like they'd had to switch to an A321. But no, they actually managed to fill an entire A350 on HEL-LHR! The flight was packed (not that I checked the rear, but still).
The box on the floor is much better, but the suppliers still haven't fixed their quality control issues. The aircraft is one month old and the spring on my screen didn't work, the seat next to me had duct tape on the storage compartment latch, and my latch worked but was cracked. Ridiculous. I hope AY can get compensated for this.
Oh, and for some reason the storage compartment is very slightly smaller and now my 12" Macbook won't fit into it anymore
Having received an email looking for volunteers due to overbooking, I was a bit worried. To me, it sounded an awful lot like they'd had to switch to an A321. But no, they actually managed to fill an entire A350 on HEL-LHR! The flight was packed (not that I checked the rear, but still).
The box on the floor is much better, but the suppliers still haven't fixed their quality control issues. The aircraft is one month old and the spring on my screen didn't work, the seat next to me had duct tape on the storage compartment latch, and my latch worked but was cracked. Ridiculous. I hope AY can get compensated for this.
Oh, and for some reason the storage compartment is very slightly smaller and now my 12" Macbook won't fit into it anymore
Apr 28, 2017, 4:36 pm
#910
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,749
May 4, 2017, 12:13 am
#911
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPLAT, AS MVP 75K, Star Alliance Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, SPG GOLD, HH Gold
Posts: 108
Flying RT from HEL>HKG in July on the a350 I am currently in 3L on both legs but was thinking of trying the A side. Currently, have the option on the outbound AY 099 to try anywhere from 4A on back to 12A (flight departs at 17:25 from HEL) as well as the same options on the A side for flight AY 070 (flight departs at 00:25 am from HKG)
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I prefer 2 windows is possible and would like to maybe try both sides of the aircraft just for the heck of it. I don't have any tight connections or anything so it really doesn't matter to me other than having a window seat...
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I prefer 2 windows is possible and would like to maybe try both sides of the aircraft just for the heck of it. I don't have any tight connections or anything so it really doesn't matter to me other than having a window seat...
May 4, 2017, 1:53 am
#912
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,042
Flying RT from HEL>HKG in July on the a350 I am currently in 3L on both legs but was thinking of trying the A side. Currently, have the option on the outbound AY 099 to try anywhere from 4A on back to 12A (flight departs at 17:25 from HEL) as well as the same options on the A side for flight AY 070 (flight departs at 00:25 am from HKG)
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I prefer 2 windows is possible and would like to maybe try both sides of the aircraft just for the heck of it. I don't have any tight connections or anything so it really doesn't matter to me other than having a window seat...
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I prefer 2 windows is possible and would like to maybe try both sides of the aircraft just for the heck of it. I don't have any tight connections or anything so it really doesn't matter to me other than having a window seat...
Take a seat as far in front as possible, if you want to have a quicker service. And in my opinion it makes no difference which seat you choose since the windows are far away anyway, looking outside is quite complicated. If its the daylight you looking for then a seat with two windows may be a little brighter. On the return flight you will fly in darkness more or less the whole time, so two windows won t help either.
May 4, 2017, 2:07 am
#913
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 938
In July the return (AY70) is in daylight with the exception of the first couple of hours of the flight...however you're likely expected to keep the window blinds closed because most people will want to sleep.
May 4, 2017, 5:00 pm
#914
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPLAT, AS MVP 75K, Star Alliance Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, SPG GOLD, HH Gold
Posts: 108
Take a seat as far in front as possible, if you want to have a quicker service. And in my opinion it makes no difference which seat you choose since the windows are far away anyway, looking outside is quite complicated. If its the daylight you looking for then a seat with two windows may be a little brighter. On the return flight you will fly in darkness more or less the whole time, so two windows won t help either.
May 5, 2017, 1:04 am
#915
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
Call it Stockholm syndrome, but the more I fly the A350, the more I like it (or just get used to it)
BUT:
My two main issues with the seats are the same as before, though - lack of storage space and non-moving tables. These are both design issues (who on earth designed and accepted this?), so I don't see any improvements coming soon.
The SOP of stowing EVERYTHING at take-off & landing is plain ridiculous - even the printed menus? Really? (and where should you stick it? They won't fit the triangular bin, and the only other place you (or the crew) can put them is the magazine slot, which is already full with the Blue Wing, and differerent shopping catalogues. And I full-heartedly agree with ffay005 - that small place became more or less useless by the omission of that front plastic, value 0,01 cents
BUT:
My two main issues with the seats are the same as before, though - lack of storage space and non-moving tables. These are both design issues (who on earth designed and accepted this?), so I don't see any improvements coming soon.
The SOP of stowing EVERYTHING at take-off & landing is plain ridiculous - even the printed menus? Really? (and where should you stick it? They won't fit the triangular bin, and the only other place you (or the crew) can put them is the magazine slot, which is already full with the Blue Wing, and differerent shopping catalogues. And I full-heartedly agree with ffay005 - that small place became more or less useless by the omission of that front plastic, value 0,01 cents