I'd say it's also a matter of cultural understanding and misunderstanding.

For example JAL is a completely different experience if you speak at least passable Japanese and are their own elite. The same goes for Asiana in regards of Korean ability and their elite membership. The service can be truly outstanding as you suddenly "belong" to the group they are told to especially care for.

Cathay and Singapore are more equalitarian from an ethnic point of view but function like well oiled machines without overtly hearty service. The Japanese FAs on CX tend to be more friendly and personal in their service, IMHO Cantonese, mainland Chinese and SE Asian staff maybe a bit tougher and not so subtle.

BA is fine as long one accepts the distance and peculiar British ways of the staff. Don't know if it's the remnants of a class society but service in ET and WT is sometimes the worst of any major airline. Their upper classes are something different, of course.

As for Finnair, I'd still rate them as the top airline in Europe for shorthaul in both classes but not comparable to the Asian heavyweights on longhaul. I've had some extraordinary good flights with Finnair in Europe in J and even a great Y flight with my GF last Christmas time.