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]
Apr 30, 2018, 2:16 am
#616
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,188
While that was my favourite explanation so far, I guess unlikely. 
I think previously this has been the case, but not anymore. As they are now instructed to go find seats and reserve them for Lumos, all staff must now be painfully aware of the situation. And when everyone in the staff knows the lounges are crowded at certain times of day, it is very much likely that there have been a discussion around how to manage that and maybe even a policy to be aware of load and to deny access based on full lounge when needed.
I think previously this has been the case, but not anymore. As they are now instructed to go find seats and reserve them for Lumos, all staff must now be painfully aware of the situation. And when everyone in the staff knows the lounges are crowded at certain times of day, it is very much likely that there have been a discussion around how to manage that and maybe even a policy to be aware of load and to deny access based on full lounge when needed.
The challenge will be when they have 3-4 Lumos members with each 4 guests showing up..... They should really have addressed the lounge situation before creating Lumos.
Apr 30, 2018, 4:26 am
#617
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,757
Well, there are 100 Lumos, so how many will you have showing up on any given day during the afternoon peak at the non-Schengen lounge? Hardly a problem.
Apr 30, 2018, 4:33 am
#618
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
With 100 lumos flying 150 segments there are 20,5 lumos in the air any given day. Just saying..
(yes I know not all are flying segments and not all are in HEL non-schengen lounge. I'm just saying numbers quickly add up)
(yes I know not all are flying segments and not all are in HEL non-schengen lounge. I'm just saying numbers quickly add up)
Apr 30, 2018, 4:49 am
#619
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
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You'd be surprised Was flying NRT-SFO on United with a friend who is GS recently, there were 6 GS members on that one flight. I know United has far more GS members than AY has Lunos members, but they also have a massively larger network to spread them over.
Apr 30, 2018, 6:06 am
#620
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,757
If they qualified by segments, they are more likely to be seen hanging around gate 15 in OUL than in the non-Schengen lounge, I reckon.
Apr 30, 2018, 6:56 am
#621
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
I'd say the staff most likely overlooked the OWE status and led you to the non-premium lounge just based on the class of service. Easy-to-make mistake. If they ignore your OWE status on purpose, then it's time to show them their own webpage and / or the webpage of OneWorld. If this doesn't help with the staff at desk, let them call a supervisor. If the lounge is full, it's full (an alternative could be to form a queue outside and let people in as soon as others leave; I'd say the non-premium lounge entry is then much better option). Otherwise, stand your position if they disobey OneWorld rules - it helps.
This is a good point. Maybe we've got a super attentive lounge staff member. Kind of a revenger.
This is a good point. Maybe we've got a super attentive lounge staff member. Kind of a revenger.
I did take my BA OWE card out this last time but it made no difference. Since the first denial happened some time ago I just make a habit of showing up to HEL shortly before the flight so I never have much lag time. The person who turned me away from Premium was a manager of some sort and with 20 minutes to go before boarding I just got a drink from the business side and left, no point in arguing.
May 5, 2018, 6:41 am
#622
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
In the Wiki it says "Must be departing from the non-Schengen side of Terminal 2 (Although exceptions can be made)."
What are these exceptions?
What are these exceptions?
May 5, 2018, 8:28 am
#623
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), TK Elite (*G), BT VIP, HH D, BW DS
Posts: 484
As AY+ Plat, I've been able to use the Premium lounge when connecting from non-Schengen to Schengen. AFAIK there is no official policy on this, and don't know what is the case for AY+ Gold or OWEs from other programs.
May 14, 2018, 5:41 am
#624
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
Reporting back on two separate issues/questions:
I was allowed entry to premium lounge even though I arrived from non-schengen and was connecting to schengen. Not sure if it was the good old "platinum-policy" applied or if lounge attendant was just friendly/confused.
When entering I see 2-3 seats with sign "reserved for lumo". Not exactly sure how many seats are reserved, it was in a group of 6 chairs and some were already taken.
I was allowed entry to premium lounge even though I arrived from non-schengen and was connecting to schengen. Not sure if it was the good old "platinum-policy" applied or if lounge attendant was just friendly/confused.
When entering I see 2-3 seats with sign "reserved for lumo". Not exactly sure how many seats are reserved, it was in a group of 6 chairs and some were already taken.
May 14, 2018, 7:12 am
#625
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
Another observation: Staff is actively trying to guide people to free seats, so they'll walk people to areas where they know they just cleared a table.
I also overheard staff saying "We will get a bigger lounge, but it will be at year end". No idea how well informed they are, but there's a date anyway.
I also overheard staff saying "We will get a bigger lounge, but it will be at year end". No idea how well informed they are, but there's a date anyway.
May 14, 2018, 11:46 am
#626
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo, SK Gold
Posts: 954
Jun 10, 2018, 4:37 am
#627
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MIA
Programs: AY+ Gold
Posts: 248
Apologies if I've missed it, but are there any options for lounge access from a non-Schengen flight (ORD) on arrival with no onward connections? I'd like to jump into the sauna on arrival to clean up before I continue from the airport. I'll be coming in booked in J with AY Gold status.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jun 10, 2018, 4:54 am
#628
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
Apologies if I've missed it, but are there any options for lounge access from a non-Schengen flight (ORD) on arrival with no onward connections? I'd like to jump into the sauna on arrival to clean up before I continue from the airport. I'll be coming in booked in J with AY Gold status.
Jun 18, 2018, 6:49 pm
#630
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,757
Disappointed with the Premium lounge offerings today before AY5.
Warm items solely consisted of the buffet, where the fish soup had hardly any fish and looked like it came straight from a school cafeteria. The beef burgundy wasn’t much better, and the rice wasn’t rice, but a mix of barley and brownish rice. And there’s no room where to place the kettle lids on the petite table while you're helping yourself.
The dining area was crowded with only one table free. And as cramped as ever. The architect probably never realised that people who travel have carry-ons with them. Those huge lamps, while perhaps nice design items, make it look and feel even more cramped than it is.
Warm items solely consisted of the buffet, where the fish soup had hardly any fish and looked like it came straight from a school cafeteria. The beef burgundy wasn’t much better, and the rice wasn’t rice, but a mix of barley and brownish rice. And there’s no room where to place the kettle lids on the petite table while you're helping yourself.
The dining area was crowded with only one table free. And as cramped as ever. The architect probably never realised that people who travel have carry-ons with them. Those huge lamps, while perhaps nice design items, make it look and feel even more cramped than it is.