Finnair Spa & Sauna in Helsinki
Feb 16, 2012, 8:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AYPlat, BASilver, SQG
Posts: 454
Finnair Spa & Sauna in Helsinki
Have they closed the facilities, last week I did not see any signs and doors were closed, also cannot find any info on AY pages?? Forgot to ask the lounge people.....
If closed, is something replacing the area? No matter how nice it was and a great experience, it was more or less waist of valuable space, which would be better used as lounge extension, since the non-schengen lounge gets very crowded every afternoon.
PS. discussed also elsewhere, but no problems getting into the non-schengen lounge last week with BA Silver and you also get sparkling wine and drinks from the bar with it....
If closed, is something replacing the area? No matter how nice it was and a great experience, it was more or less waist of valuable space, which would be better used as lounge extension, since the non-schengen lounge gets very crowded every afternoon.
PS. discussed also elsewhere, but no problems getting into the non-schengen lounge last week with BA Silver and you also get sparkling wine and drinks from the bar with it....
Feb 16, 2012, 8:23 am
#2
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
I heard a rumour that they were planning to close it soon, haven't seen anything official, though..
Not a surprise the slightest...I said this the day they announceded the news about the spa..this will not be profitable and here we see the reality..
Not a surprise the slightest...I said this the day they announceded the news about the spa..this will not be profitable and here we see the reality..
Feb 16, 2012, 8:49 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 843
I always thought an airport spa is an excellent idea that has real demand under some circumstances but not in the case of AY/HEL.
Take LHR, for example. I have enjoyed BA's shower+lounge enormously in the last 10+ years when connecting from LH to SH. Typical LHR connecting times (quite often more than a couple of hours) give ample time for a relaxed shower, getting changed, some breakfast and reading morning papers. A spa could well complement these and fill even more of the long wait.
Then take HEL. Connecting times before and after the Asian wave are so good that the time needed for a relaxed spa visit just is not there. Before an ex-HEL flight, who (apart from FTers) would arrive early at the airport just to visit the spa? I have only visited once, when connecting from a morning SH to a late evening LH and doing other things in town in between.
Take LHR, for example. I have enjoyed BA's shower+lounge enormously in the last 10+ years when connecting from LH to SH. Typical LHR connecting times (quite often more than a couple of hours) give ample time for a relaxed shower, getting changed, some breakfast and reading morning papers. A spa could well complement these and fill even more of the long wait.
Then take HEL. Connecting times before and after the Asian wave are so good that the time needed for a relaxed spa visit just is not there. Before an ex-HEL flight, who (apart from FTers) would arrive early at the airport just to visit the spa? I have only visited once, when connecting from a morning SH to a late evening LH and doing other things in town in between.
Feb 16, 2012, 8:58 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: AY, SK, AF/KL + randomly others
Posts: 239
Originally Posted by http://media.finnair.com/spa/site/
You can visit Spa and book treatments until 31 January 2012 after which it will be closed for maintenance starting 1 February 2012.
Feb 16, 2012, 9:04 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
What a wasted opportunity if true.
But no wonder as marketing especially at outstations was done poorly and most AY passengers probably never knew this option actually existed. If something can be learned from the likes of Ryanair, then it's active pre-and inflight sales including these kind of services.
Japanese, Korean and Russian transit passengers all come from cultures where this concept fits in ideally, so really quite surprised how it has been allowed to fail if the news is like stated.
But then, one more reason to consider transiting at LHR, MUC or HKG en route to Asia instead of HEL as the Via Lounge really is nothing special. The Spa is and was.
But no wonder as marketing especially at outstations was done poorly and most AY passengers probably never knew this option actually existed. If something can be learned from the likes of Ryanair, then it's active pre-and inflight sales including these kind of services.
Japanese, Korean and Russian transit passengers all come from cultures where this concept fits in ideally, so really quite surprised how it has been allowed to fail if the news is like stated.
But then, one more reason to consider transiting at LHR, MUC or HKG en route to Asia instead of HEL as the Via Lounge really is nothing special. The Spa is and was.
Feb 16, 2012, 9:20 am
#6
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,163
I always thought an airport spa is an excellent idea that has real demand under some circumstances but not in the case of AY/HEL.
Take LHR, for example. I have enjoyed BA's shower+lounge enormously in the last 10+ years when connecting from LH to SH. Typical LHR connecting times (quite often more than a couple of hours) give ample time for a relaxed shower, getting changed, some breakfast and reading morning papers. A spa could well complement these and fill even more of the long wait.
Then take HEL. Connecting times before and after the Asian wave are so good that the time needed for a relaxed spa visit just is not there. Before an ex-HEL flight, who (apart from FTers) would arrive early at the airport just to visit the spa? I have only visited once, when connecting from a morning SH to a late evening LH and doing other things in town in between.
Take LHR, for example. I have enjoyed BA's shower+lounge enormously in the last 10+ years when connecting from LH to SH. Typical LHR connecting times (quite often more than a couple of hours) give ample time for a relaxed shower, getting changed, some breakfast and reading morning papers. A spa could well complement these and fill even more of the long wait.
Then take HEL. Connecting times before and after the Asian wave are so good that the time needed for a relaxed spa visit just is not there. Before an ex-HEL flight, who (apart from FTers) would arrive early at the airport just to visit the spa? I have only visited once, when connecting from a morning SH to a late evening LH and doing other things in town in between.
Well, on the serious side, you are quite right. I never though there was a back side to short connections, but there you have it! I have been a bit disturbed that I have not been able to use it as much as I'd like. I actually have skipped first connection so that I would have a few hours to relax at HEL (the NRT-HEL-sweden will work for that, as it arrives to HEL in daytime.)
But for most asian flights, they are nighttime and outside the opening hours of the SPA.
Short connections and night flights are ++ in my book, and SPA sadly then comes in second place. But, I hope it is maintenance, and it will be back in march or so!
Feb 16, 2012, 9:27 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
Maybe a day spa without the saunas and showers but with massage chairs and some manual massage modeled after LHR and other airports? Or a sort of rest area within the lounge?
Feb 16, 2012, 9:31 am
#8
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,163
What a wasted opportunity if true.
But no wonder as marketing especially at outstations was done poorly and most AY passengers probably never knew this option actually existed. If something can be learned from the likes of Ryanair, then it's active pre-and inflight sales including these kind of services.
Japanese, Korean and Russian transit passengers all come from cultures where this concept fits in ideally, so really quite surprised how it has been allowed to fail if the news is like stated.
But then, one more reason to consider transiting at LHR, MUC or HKG en route to Asia instead of HEL as the Via Lounge really is nothing special. The Spa is and was.
But no wonder as marketing especially at outstations was done poorly and most AY passengers probably never knew this option actually existed. If something can be learned from the likes of Ryanair, then it's active pre-and inflight sales including these kind of services.
Japanese, Korean and Russian transit passengers all come from cultures where this concept fits in ideally, so really quite surprised how it has been allowed to fail if the news is like stated.
But then, one more reason to consider transiting at LHR, MUC or HKG en route to Asia instead of HEL as the Via Lounge really is nothing special. The Spa is and was.
Lately, there have been spa-invites in the amenity kits onboard with 30% off entrance fee. But other than that? Haven't seen any marketing lately, sadly.
BTW the 30% discount vouchers have a valid until of june 30 2012, if that is to be taken as any sign of the son return of the spa
Feb 16, 2012, 10:02 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 49
Wow...this would be a huge downgrade if they decide to do this. I use this spa almost everytime, it's a great place for privacy and to relax. It's mostly dead empty though and I guess most passengers skip to use it because of the 35€ fee. I'm only using it frequently because I can get in there free as AY Platinum.
I've mailed their customer support to see if this is actually true.
Feb 16, 2012, 12:42 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AYPlat, BASilver, SQG
Posts: 454
Wow...this would be a huge downgrade if they decide to do this. I use this spa almost everytime, it's a great place for privacy and to relax. It's mostly dead empty though and I guess most passengers skip to use it because of the 35€ fee. I'm only using it frequently because I can get in there free as AY Platinum.
I've mailed their customer support to see if this is actually true.
But if it would only be maintenance, why have ALL the signs been removed, there is absolutely nothing that even remotly indicates there has been or ever will be a spa.....
Only used it once due to delayed NYC flight - and even being in J, they didn't give any discount on entrance fee....
Feb 16, 2012, 3:11 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tallinn / Isle of Man
Programs: Finnair Platinum; Intercontinental Ambassador
Posts: 578
Seriously. I loved the premises, but €45 for entry????? So should you travel with the wife - €90? I would love to smoke from the same pipe with the people, who thought this was good value. €20 and I probably would have used it a few more times.
