HEL Lounge/Shower on Arrival?
Jun 9, 2013, 6:01 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), SAS Diamond (*G)
Posts: 584
I usually go with the border guards rather than the automatic gates, unless there is a queue. They are much faster! As an EU citizen, I've ever been asked to show a boarding pass.
I have gone back and forth several times in the space of a few minutes when I've forgotten to do some shopping on the other side. This has never been remarked upon.
I have gone back and forth several times in the space of a few minutes when I've forgotten to do some shopping on the other side. This has never been remarked upon.
Jun 9, 2013, 8:13 am
#17
Join Date: May 2012
Location: GVA (HEL)
Programs: AY Plat (OWE)
Posts: 536
Providing you're EU citizen (or have otherwise no Schengen related immigration issues, like visa, etc) you may just walk back to the non-Schengen area. If you have a biometric passport, you won't even see a border guard (and anyway they check only passports, not b/p's afaik)
Jun 9, 2013, 12:03 pm
#19
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: 14,178
OP, Just turn right, no problem.
(There has been some debate on wether or not AY likes us to use it as arrival lounge. But there shouldn't be a problem. )
There isn't any detailed map, just this:
http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/more-i...ges/servicemap
The red arrow between G32 and 33 is where you enter arriving from asia.
(There has been some debate on wether or not AY likes us to use it as arrival lounge. But there shouldn't be a problem. )
There isn't any detailed map, just this:
http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/more-i...ges/servicemap
The red arrow between G32 and 33 is where you enter arriving from asia.
Jun 10, 2013, 2:39 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London/Helsinki
Programs: BA GGL, AA Lifetime Gold, AF Silver
Posts: 10
Hi, I was in J on the JFK-HEL flight last week (OW Emerald but not AY) and was told that unless I were AY Plat, I could not use the showers in the non-Schengen lounge without a connecting flight. So you might be ok with your GVA BP.
Jun 10, 2013, 10:28 am
#22
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: 14,178
If you have a connection, they sometimes still ask for the plat card, because they are not used to be presented with schengen boarding passes. Then the advice is to stand your ground and friendly remind them that you have an onward OW flight and you have access to any lounge run by Finnair under OW rules.
Apr 11, 2014, 6:29 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ORD
Posts: 835
Is this now available?
Hi, I see it is almost a year since this thread was last updated. We are flying AY J JFK-HEL, then flying HEL-ZRH also in J...but considering taking that leg the next morning to allow us a day to visit Helsinki.
Taking a shower upon arrival would make this a much more doable option. We are both US citizens, in case that makes a difference. Besides using the lounge, is there a recommended airport hotel that might allow an early morning check-in?
Thank you!
Taking a shower upon arrival would make this a much more doable option. We are both US citizens, in case that makes a difference. Besides using the lounge, is there a recommended airport hotel that might allow an early morning check-in?
Thank you!
Apr 11, 2014, 9:47 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: KBOS
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 921
Yes, I've been able to use the showers in the lounge upon arriving from JFK even when HEL is my final destination. You can try Hilton Vantaa (walking distance but just outside the airport terminal) or Glo (inside the terminal) and ask for day rates; this will allow you to use the room from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can't book these rooms through the Internet but you can call the hotels directly or just walk in.