Lounge in HEL?
Oct 24, 2018, 12:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: HEL
Posts: 76
According to the Finnair website, OW Emerald + Sapphire can only access the AY Schengen lounge when their flight departs from the Schengen area: https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/inform...irport/lounges
I was planning on using the schengen lounge for a future non-schengen flight myself due to the renovations. I hope they don't actually enforce that.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: South East England
Programs: Status with BA Exec Club; KrisFlyer; Hilton Honors; IHG One; Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 543
I managed to squeeze into AY HEL Schengen lounge last week. It can get very busy, which is, I guess, why they try to cap the numbers. Note that AY operate their flights in ‘waves’ in and out, so sometimes it’s very busy then very quiet very suddenly! I’d definitely ask if passing, and if they say no, head to the lounge in the Schengen area. Some nice seats there too.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:19 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ/YTZ/YUL
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 1,558
According to the Finnair website, OW Emerald + Sapphire can only access the AY Schengen lounge when their flight departs from the Schengen area: https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/inform...irport/lounges.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:33 pm
#19
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,871
If you are denied access to a OW carrier lounge and you are travelling J or have the appropriate status, I would kick up a stink until they let you in. This goes for HEL as much as anywhere.
I've never been denied access to the non-schengen Finnair lounge in HEL (though have heard of it)
I've never been denied access to the non-schengen Finnair lounge in HEL (though have heard of it)
Oct 24, 2018, 2:34 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,782
If you have UK Amex Plat Priority Pass you will get 1 free guest.
Amex Gold Lounge Club is less than clear. it says any number of guests but doesn't say if any are free.
https://www.loungeclub.com/en/faq/#5
Amex Gold Lounge Club is less than clear. it says any number of guests but doesn't say if any are free.
https://www.loungeclub.com/en/faq/#5
Last edited by DeathSlam; Oct 24, 2018 at 2:35 pm Reason: added UK
Oct 24, 2018, 2:46 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 19
Never had trouble accessing the AY lounge with J on BA (as bronze) but the last time I did was in June.
I actually quite like the Almost @ Home, it has spoiled me for other Lounge Club visits which haven’t lived up to it yet. The atmosphere is certainly nicer than non-Schengen AY with the current renovations (that have been going on for a while now). Food is hit or miss depending on the time, but there’s usually a hot dish and always adequate liquid refreshments (though spirits may be payable)
I’m on course to hit silver and will be flying back in Y on Jan 1st (which will be madness) and was hoping to use the Schengen lounge so will be interested to see peoples experiences.
The only other one I’ve tried is the Schengen aspire (I think) which was nothing to write home about, but still better than some of the LHR LC offerings.
I actually quite like the Almost @ Home, it has spoiled me for other Lounge Club visits which haven’t lived up to it yet. The atmosphere is certainly nicer than non-Schengen AY with the current renovations (that have been going on for a while now). Food is hit or miss depending on the time, but there’s usually a hot dish and always adequate liquid refreshments (though spirits may be payable)
I’m on course to hit silver and will be flying back in Y on Jan 1st (which will be madness) and was hoping to use the Schengen lounge so will be interested to see peoples experiences.
The only other one I’ve tried is the Schengen aspire (I think) which was nothing to write home about, but still better than some of the LHR LC offerings.
Oct 24, 2018, 10:49 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland / Estonia
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 6,525
Dec 30, 2018, 9:18 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum, ALL Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, HHonors Gold
Posts: 384
The check-in clerk said pax on BA795 are allowed access to Finnair lounge even during renovations (as it’s dead quiet in the mornings); BA799 & other codeshares are directed to Almost@home.
As such, we got in to the Finnair non-Schengen lounge with no problem at all, and that’s where I’m now writing this, while only slightly regretting the decision to book a 7:55 am flight!
Dec 31, 2018, 2:51 am
#25
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,427
The Finnair lounge should reopen in February, asked the guy at the desk on Sunday (I was flying Finnair metal) and he seemed fairly confident that Feb was realistic although wouldn't be drawn on early or late in the month.
I guess the next question is, will they then refurbish the main lounge? That would cause some serious disruption.
I guess the next question is, will they then refurbish the main lounge? That would cause some serious disruption.
Dec 31, 2018, 7:09 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BAEC Gold; Le Club Accorhotels Plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 371
HEL lounges used to be my favourite as they offered some nice sauna retreat while not leaving the airport. Now they are the worst. Overcrowded, sub par food, patchy WiFI... now when connecting through HEL I try to plan my trips just to change from flight to flight to avoid spending time at the airport which seems to be very busy at all times. Is it operating close to its capacity? Anyone know?
Dec 31, 2018, 1:23 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,600
A new central part of the non-Schengen area will be opened in February (the independent lounge and connecting centre will be located there) The domestic wing will be opened in the summer. They are both small improvements but on the whole it will be few more years all the improvements to be ready.
Last edited by nordic; Dec 31, 2018 at 3:14 pm
Dec 31, 2018, 2:58 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BAEC Gold; Le Club Accorhotels Plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 371
A new central part of the non-Schengen area will be opened in February (the independent lounge and connecting Centre) will be located there. The domestic wing will be opened in the summer. They are both small improvements but on the whole it will be few more years all the improvements to be read.
Jan 1, 2019, 1:13 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, OZ Diamond, LH Silver
Posts: 553
The new AY premium lounge opening in February will be much larger than the old one which should tackle the overcrowding for a few years at least. It has also been hinted to have a la carte dining and much improved wifi. The question still remains what will happen to passengers of the regular non-Schengen lounge in February as refurbishments in that part of the lounge starts. Will they be allowed to use the new premiun lounge or sent to other lounges?
