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]
Jan 30, 2018, 2:01 am
#556
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,160
I guess it was a mix of two things for me. Being that close to the window when it is just a window to a wall, and then suddenly all the arriving passengers walking past you. I am sure they can rearrange it and keep the privacy of the settings reasonably intact.
Feb 4, 2018, 10:51 pm
#557
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), Hertz PC, Sixt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 275
On a friday morning the Premium lounge was very quiet, but I must say that the brekkie wasn´t anything to write home about.
Actually the sandwiches on the schengen side were better as the were "made" ; you didn´t have to compile them yourself.
Coffee though was significantly tastyer on the premium side.
Actually the sandwiches on the schengen side were better as the were "made" ; you didn´t have to compile them yourself.
Coffee though was significantly tastyer on the premium side.
Feb 16, 2018, 11:27 pm
#558
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 938
The Premium lounge no longer serves omelettes or anything else made to order by a chef at breakfast. Instead they now offer a ready made frittata (anyone who's ever been to a Cumulus or Scandic hotel breakfast will know what it looks like). I asked the waitress about it and she said this is what we have now...oh well, why am I not surprised 
On a more positive note, service was very friendly, wine selection appears to have been improved and the lounge was really nice and quiet at 8am. The QR morning flight has a great departure time of 9:40am.
On a more positive note, service was very friendly, wine selection appears to have been improved and the lounge was really nice and quiet at 8am. The QR morning flight has a great departure time of 9:40am.
Feb 17, 2018, 9:24 am
#559
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,603
The must be a very recent change. A week ago when I asked they first offered the frittata, but when I asked once more a choice of tomato, cheese and/or chives) was offered
Feb 17, 2018, 9:34 am
#560
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
The Premium lounge no longer serves omelettes or anything else made to order by a chef at breakfast. Instead they now offer a ready made frittata (anyone who's ever been to a Cumulus or Scandic hotel breakfast will know what it looks like). I asked the waitress about it and she said this is what we have now...oh well, why am I not surprised
On a more positive note, service was very friendly, wine selection appears to have been improved and the lounge was really nice and quiet at 8am. The QR morning flight has a great departure time of 9:40am.
On a more positive note, service was very friendly, wine selection appears to have been improved and the lounge was really nice and quiet at 8am. The QR morning flight has a great departure time of 9:40am.
Oh well let's see next week there how it is again.
Feb 18, 2018, 1:33 pm
#561
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: HEL, SIN, LON
Posts: 120
Just arrived at the non-Schengen lounges at HEL and was told that there has been a recent change and prem lounge is "always Emerald-only". I wonder if it's really so or just the usual BS they tell you if they don't feel like letting a Sapphire in or has there really been a change of policy?
Feb 18, 2018, 1:44 pm
#562
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Just arrived at the non-Schengen lounges at HEL and was told that there has been a recent change and prem lounge is "always Emerald-only". I wonder if it's really so or just the usual BS they tell you if they don't feel like letting a Sapphire in or has there really been a change of policy?
This is what finnair.com says about Premium Lounge:
" Available exclusively for Finnair Plus Platinum and Gold members (+ one guest), and oneworld Emerald cardholders (+ one guest), when the departure flight is operated and marketed by a oneworld airline. Access may be limited during peak hours. "
Feb 18, 2018, 4:15 pm
#563
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
Just arrived at the non-Schengen lounges at HEL and was told that there has been a recent change and prem lounge is "always Emerald-only". I wonder if it's really so or just the usual BS they tell you if they don't feel like letting a Sapphire in or has there really been a change of policy?
Feb 18, 2018, 10:17 pm
#564
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Yeah, I was really hoping Gold access would have been removed..looks like not..
Feb 18, 2018, 11:14 pm
#566
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
But, easiest would be to kill Gold access completely and make it a proper Emerald lounge from OW perspective also.
Feb 19, 2018, 1:18 am
#567
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Bonvoy Gold, HH Diamond, PriorityPass, AX Plat
Posts: 526
Premium lounge has been Emerald-only with the only exception being AY Gold (no other Sapphires) for definitely more than a year. So the staff was right. I'd just not call it a recent change. They probably didn't mention AY Gold access as you clearly had a different airline's card. No BS here.
Feb 19, 2018, 8:34 am
#568
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: BA G; AY Basic; HHonors G; Marriott S
Posts: 141
BA OWS (not myself) was allowed in the lounge last Friday. Entry 9 PM. So no peak hour.
Food offering was not premium at all at that time.
Food offering was not premium at all at that time.
Feb 19, 2018, 11:17 am
#569
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat and several other cards
Posts: 645
Food offering late at night is not very special, as made-to-order dishes are not available after 21.00 anymore, even though the midnight long haul flights have very limited food service. More clever solution would be offering a good proper dinner in the lounge as that would justify the limited onboard service much better.
Feb 19, 2018, 12:38 pm
#570
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
As they did looong time ago (10-15 years) at the old gold/plat lounge...back then they ofcourse had full dinner onboard as well for late departures..