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]
Aug 14, 2016, 3:20 am
#361
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat (OWE)
Posts: 493
Thank you, I really hope that it's how you said. I have a trip coming up for which I specifically chose to fly AY to the US (via ORD) because I wanted to spend some time at the Premium Lounge. I usually prefer going through LHR even though most people dislike that airport 
I wonder if the lounge(s) will be crowded prior to a Saturday 17:35 departure.
I wonder if the lounge(s) will be crowded prior to a Saturday 17:35 departure.
Rush hours are ~15:00-17:00 and I think ORD lands just before 15:00.
Access to Premium lounge is strictly OWE and AY+ Plat/Gold:
https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/inform...irport/lounges
That was changed this summer and don't know how strictly it's enforced, just give it a try
Aug 14, 2016, 3:31 am
#362
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 650
Not the most desirable timing
Rush hours are ~15:00-17:00 and I think ORD lands just before 15:00.
Access to Premium lounge is strictly OWE and AY+ Plat/Gold:
https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/inform...irport/lounges
That was changed this summer and don't know how strictly it's enforced, just give it a try
Rush hours are ~15:00-17:00 and I think ORD lands just before 15:00.
Access to Premium lounge is strictly OWE and AY+ Plat/Gold:
https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/inform...irport/lounges
That was changed this summer and don't know how strictly it's enforced, just give it a try
Yeah, that's a bad time to be at HEL. I hope the departure day being a Saturday will help me a bit or that the flight will be delayed for a few hours. I'll post here after finding out how it goes. Luckily I have another non-Schengen departure later this year at around 7pm, so might have better luck then.
Aug 14, 2016, 4:22 am
#363
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
It probably will. That is at the end of the afternoon wave. For instance, between 17:15 and 17:35 there are 4 flights leaving for Japan, 1 for PVG and 1 for ICN besides the ORD flight. These travellers will be looking for lounge at the same time you are.
Last edited by intuition; Aug 14, 2016 at 4:33 am Reason: Spelling
Aug 14, 2016, 1:09 pm
#364
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
The Chicago flight arrived around 3:00pm; that's when I was denied entry to the Premium Lounge (and the whole lounge area was packed.)
My connection took off at 8:30pm, so I'm thinking I returned around 5:30 or so (I don't remember exactly) and was admitted to a pretty empty, but beautiful, lounge.
My connection took off at 8:30pm, so I'm thinking I returned around 5:30 or so (I don't remember exactly) and was admitted to a pretty empty, but beautiful, lounge.
Aug 16, 2016, 11:54 am
#365
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ord
Programs: aa exp, ihg plat amb
Posts: 80
So I will be connecting in Helsinki, flying ORD to HEL, then to Tallinn. Returning Tallinn-HEL-ORD.
Since the Premium lounge is located in the non-schengen area, does that mean I can only access the lounge on the return? (I'm OW Emerald).
Since the Premium lounge is located in the non-schengen area, does that mean I can only access the lounge on the return? (I'm OW Emerald).
Aug 16, 2016, 11:58 am
#366
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,757
This is what AY hopes you'll do. However, if there's a long layover when coming from ORD, you can visit the Premium lounge before heading to passport control and the Schengen side. If i remember right, it might require some arguing with the dragon, though.
Aug 16, 2016, 1:37 pm
#367
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
i wouldn't count on it, especially with the ORD flight landing right during peaktime. Otherwise I wouldn't expect to have issues.
Aug 16, 2016, 3:18 pm
#368
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ord
Programs: aa exp, ihg plat amb
Posts: 80
Well, I have a 3 1/2 hour layover so I would like to try. If connecting, at what point do I look for the lounge before going on to passport control?
Aug 16, 2016, 3:34 pm
#369
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Aug 16, 2016, 4:25 pm
#370
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ord
Programs: aa exp, ihg plat amb
Posts: 80
Thanks to all for the answers.
Aug 17, 2016, 12:57 am
#371
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,665
It will depend on the dragons attitude.
Aug 24, 2016, 2:34 am
#372
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,665
Does a passenger flying in BA or AY C to LHR and connecting same-day to BA F, do they have access to the Premium Lounge?
Aug 24, 2016, 2:41 am
#373
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,270
Aug 24, 2016, 2:43 am
#374
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,665
Aug 24, 2016, 2:45 am
#375
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
I would test that. Most likely, there would be a premium lounge access for the presenter of such an itinerary!