Sep 15, 2016, 3:24 am
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
This lounge is now closed and replaced by the Finnair Premium Wing.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-finnair-plus/1973050-ay-platinum-wing-now-open.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-finnair-plus/1973050-ay-platinum-wing-now-open.html
Finnair Premium Lounge in non-Schengen area [now closed]
Mar 28, 2016, 6:57 am
#286
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AY Plat Lumo+LTG, FI Gold, DL Silver, BA, SK, AX Plat, Priority Pass, Marriott Ambassador & others
Posts: 634
A bit OT, but it would be also interesting to know how would the Schengen rules bend in a case of someone having a non-Schengen (eg London) flight connecting to another non-Schengen (eg HKG) flight, where the passenger does not hold a Schengen visa but the connecting flight is severely delayed due to a technical problem etc.? I suppose the airline would have to pay for a hotel, but how would the passenger ever get there? Or is this why the sleeping pods arrived to the airport 
Mar 29, 2016, 3:56 am
#288
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
The airline would probably have to arrange transit visas?
Mar 29, 2016, 4:14 am
#289
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: TK *G, BA Gold
Posts: 592
A bit OT, but it would be also interesting to know how would the Schengen rules bend in a case of someone having a non-Schengen (eg London) flight connecting to another non-Schengen (eg HKG) flight, where the passenger does not hold a Schengen visa but the connecting flight is severely delayed due to a technical problem etc.?
It seems the rules don't bend but the airline might arrange something for some passengers (although I think finnair is quite poor in irrop situations)
Mar 29, 2016, 5:14 pm
#290
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: AMEX Plat / AY Plat, BA GGL-CCR / Bonvoy Titanium (LTP)
Posts: 474
Or then not. I was once rerouted due to a strike from HEL-JFK-SFO to HEL-PEK-SFO so no China visa whatsoever. Almost denied boarding, but got to PEK to find out I'm not allowed through transfer documents check before checked in on the UA final leg... Which did not open until several hours.
I'd guess the airline would try to arrange for accommodation and care as required by any relevant legislation if the number of people is large, but visas might just be out of reach in a many situations. There have been cases where passengers have been escorted to and monitored in a nearby hotel.
I'd guess the airline would try to arrange for accommodation and care as required by any relevant legislation if the number of people is large, but visas might just be out of reach in a many situations. There have been cases where passengers have been escorted to and monitored in a nearby hotel.
Mar 30, 2016, 2:08 am
#291
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 517
At HEL pax stay overnight at the non-schengen area if no valid visa for schengen.
Mar 30, 2016, 2:54 am
#292
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
Or then not. I was once rerouted due to a strike from HEL-JFK-SFO to HEL-PEK-SFO so no China visa whatsoever. Almost denied boarding, but got to PEK to find out I'm not allowed through transfer documents check before checked in on the UA final leg... Which did not open until several hours.
I'd guess the airline would try to arrange for accommodation and care as required by any relevant legislation if the number of people is large, but visas might just be out of reach in a many situations. There have been cases where passengers have been escorted to and monitored in a nearby hotel.
Originally Posted by esledo
At HEL pax stay overnight at the non-schengen area if no valid visa for schengen.
Mar 30, 2016, 3:48 am
#294
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London/Bangkok
Posts: 5
Access to Premium Lounge at HEL
Was a bit surprised that access is limited to Finnair Plus Platinum & Gold members, as well as Oneworld Emerald & Sapphire members.
Yes, I can appreciate the fact that someone flying a couple of L/H with AY in C would already qualify for AY+ Gold, so the more profitable business class passengers would be in premium lounge anyway.
But I still feel that business class passengers should be allowed access. I have a feeling they are more profitable than a Oneworld Sapphire traveling in Economy Class.
Just my 5€.
Yes, I can appreciate the fact that someone flying a couple of L/H with AY in C would already qualify for AY+ Gold, so the more profitable business class passengers would be in premium lounge anyway.
But I still feel that business class passengers should be allowed access. I have a feeling they are more profitable than a Oneworld Sapphire traveling in Economy Class.
Just my 5€.
Mar 30, 2016, 4:13 am
#296
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
If the Schengen agreement collapses due to the refugee crisis, we can safely that this Schengen/non-Schengen lounge issue will go away.
Finnish border guard has a weird interpretation of the law.
They do not accept EU ID cards, when leaving Finland. They often want to see a passport and visa for the next country.
This is actually a violation of EU rules.
In my eyes the Finnish border guard service violates the freedom of movement clauses of the EU.
The UK is (still) part of the EU. Hence, as EU citizen I can cross between Finland and the UK as often as I wish. I am not a threat to national service.
So why the Finnish border guard service thinks it can restrict freedom of movement?
Finnish border guard has a weird interpretation of the law.
They do not accept EU ID cards, when leaving Finland. They often want to see a passport and visa for the next country.
This is actually a violation of EU rules.
s. They replied quickly and briefly that it is not allowed to pass schengen border at Vantaa without a ticket, not even in a situation where you are accompanying someone else to the gate.
The UK is (still) part of the EU. Hence, as EU citizen I can cross between Finland and the UK as often as I wish. I am not a threat to national service.
So why the Finnish border guard service thinks it can restrict freedom of movement?
Mar 30, 2016, 4:21 am
#297
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: 14,182
Business class flyers, Platinums, Golds, Emeralds and Sapphires are (soon) the only ones allowed into the lounges, and you are suggesting that all are packed into the 400 sqm "premium" lounge that has a 122 people maximum?
Or did you mean that only business class pax were to go to premium and status holders were to go to business class lounge?
Mar 30, 2016, 4:39 am
#298
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, TP Silver
Posts: 888
I don't have trouble with my Finnish ID card when travelling to the UK.
Mar 30, 2016, 4:49 am
#299
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY GOLD, HH GOLD
Posts: 411
If the Schengen agreement collapses due to the refugee crisis, we can safely that this Schengen/non-Schengen lounge issue will go away.
Finnish border guard has a weird interpretation of the law.
They do not accept EU ID cards, when leaving Finland. They often want to see a passport and visa for the next country.
This is actually a violation of EU rules.
In my eyes the Finnish border guard service violates the freedom of movement clauses of the EU.
The UK is (still) part of the EU. Hence, as EU citizen I can cross between Finland and the UK as often as I wish. I am not a threat to national service.
So why the Finnish border guard service thinks it can restrict freedom of movement?
Finnish border guard has a weird interpretation of the law.
They do not accept EU ID cards, when leaving Finland. They often want to see a passport and visa for the next country.
This is actually a violation of EU rules.
In my eyes the Finnish border guard service violates the freedom of movement clauses of the EU.
The UK is (still) part of the EU. Hence, as EU citizen I can cross between Finland and the UK as often as I wish. I am not a threat to national service.
So why the Finnish border guard service thinks it can restrict freedom of movement?
EU ID card is not valid travel document outside
Last edited by aama; Mar 30, 2016 at 5:09 am
Mar 30, 2016, 4:50 am
#300
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655