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 28, 2019, 12:15 am
#766
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: former MD-88 jumpseat Medallion. DL FO, AA PLT PRO. Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 752
Forgive me, I have started at the end of this thread and worked backwards as best I could 
I have a 7 hour 20 minute layover in mid-July. Flying JFK-HEL-BKK (arriving 1010, departing 1730) on a paid business class ticket, however I have NO OneWorld status whatsoever. My understanding is that I'll have access to the regular business class lounge, but will NOT have access to the Platinum Wing (if its even opened by then). I do have PriorityPass, so I could get into Plaza Premium which should be open by then.
I see the AY Business Class lounge has lockers for bag storage. Is there a charge for this? The HEL airport website shows they offer lockers starting from 5€ per H24 which isn't a bad deal, but if I could ditch the bags for free in the AY J lounge and go into town for the afternoon, I might do that. I've been to Helsinki a few times before though, and am not really sure what I'd see / do on a layover that I haven't done already. Maybe go to Suomenlinna and ride bikes, but I'd want to make sure I can grab a shower prior to the BKK flight, and it sounds like I'd have to use one of the Priority Pass lounges to do that.
I guess I have 2+ months to mull it over. 7 hours in an OK lounge with OK food offerings doesn't sound too thrilling, but sometimes its nice to not be subjected to passport checks and security re-screening again and again, and thats what would happen if I ventured into Helsinki proper. decisions!
I have a 7 hour 20 minute layover in mid-July. Flying JFK-HEL-BKK (arriving 1010, departing 1730) on a paid business class ticket, however I have NO OneWorld status whatsoever. My understanding is that I'll have access to the regular business class lounge, but will NOT have access to the Platinum Wing (if its even opened by then). I do have PriorityPass, so I could get into Plaza Premium which should be open by then.
I see the AY Business Class lounge has lockers for bag storage. Is there a charge for this? The HEL airport website shows they offer lockers starting from 5€ per H24 which isn't a bad deal, but if I could ditch the bags for free in the AY J lounge and go into town for the afternoon, I might do that. I've been to Helsinki a few times before though, and am not really sure what I'd see / do on a layover that I haven't done already. Maybe go to Suomenlinna and ride bikes, but I'd want to make sure I can grab a shower prior to the BKK flight, and it sounds like I'd have to use one of the Priority Pass lounges to do that.
I guess I have 2+ months to mull it over. 7 hours in an OK lounge with OK food offerings doesn't sound too thrilling, but sometimes its nice to not be subjected to passport checks and security re-screening again and again, and thats what would happen if I ventured into Helsinki proper. decisions!
Apr 28, 2019, 12:22 am
#767
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Forgive me, I have started at the end of this thread and worked backwards as best I could
I have a 7 hour 20 minute layover in mid-July. Flying JFK-HEL-BKK (arriving 1010, departing 1730) on a paid business class ticket, however I have NO OneWorld status whatsoever. My understanding is that I'll have access to the regular business class lounge, but will NOT have access to the Platinum Wing (if its even opened by then). I do have PriorityPass, so I could get into Plaza Premium which should be open by then.
I see the AY Business Class lounge has lockers for bag storage. Is there a charge for this? The HEL airport website shows they offer lockers starting from 5€ per H24 which isn't a bad deal, but if I could ditch the bags for free in the AY J lounge and go into town for the afternoon, I might do that. I've been to Helsinki a few times before though, and am not really sure what I'd see / do on a layover that I haven't done already. Maybe go to Suomenlinna and ride bikes, but I'd want to make sure I can grab a shower prior to the BKK flight, and it sounds like I'd have to use one of the Priority Pass lounges to do that.
I guess I have 2+ months to mull it over. 7 hours in an OK lounge with OK food offerings doesn't sound too thrilling, but sometimes its nice to not be subjected to passport checks and security re-screening again and again, and thats what would happen if I ventured into Helsinki proper. decisions!
I have a 7 hour 20 minute layover in mid-July. Flying JFK-HEL-BKK (arriving 1010, departing 1730) on a paid business class ticket, however I have NO OneWorld status whatsoever. My understanding is that I'll have access to the regular business class lounge, but will NOT have access to the Platinum Wing (if its even opened by then). I do have PriorityPass, so I could get into Plaza Premium which should be open by then.
I see the AY Business Class lounge has lockers for bag storage. Is there a charge for this? The HEL airport website shows they offer lockers starting from 5€ per H24 which isn't a bad deal, but if I could ditch the bags for free in the AY J lounge and go into town for the afternoon, I might do that. I've been to Helsinki a few times before though, and am not really sure what I'd see / do on a layover that I haven't done already. Maybe go to Suomenlinna and ride bikes, but I'd want to make sure I can grab a shower prior to the BKK flight, and it sounds like I'd have to use one of the Priority Pass lounges to do that.
I guess I have 2+ months to mull it over. 7 hours in an OK lounge with OK food offerings doesn't sound too thrilling, but sometimes its nice to not be subjected to passport checks and security re-screening again and again, and thats what would happen if I ventured into Helsinki proper. decisions!
Apr 28, 2019, 12:23 am
#768
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Vantaa, Finland
Programs: BAEC GGL, Lounge Key, Accor basic, AY basic, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 163
Forgive me, I have started at the end of this thread and worked backwards as best I could
I have a 7 hour 20 minute layover in mid-July. Flying JFK-HEL-BKK (arriving 1010, departing 1730) on a paid business class ticket, however I have NO OneWorld status whatsoever. My understanding is that I'll have access to the regular business class lounge, but will NOT have access to the Platinum Wing (if its even opened by then). I do have PriorityPass, so I could get into Plaza Premium which should be open by then.
I see the AY Business Class lounge has lockers for bag storage. Is there a charge for this? The HEL airport website shows they offer lockers starting from 5€ per H24 which isn't a bad deal, but if I could ditch the bags for free in the AY J lounge and go into town for the afternoon, I might do that. I've been to Helsinki a few times before though, and am not really sure what I'd see / do on a layover that I haven't done already. Maybe go to Suomenlinna and ride bikes, but I'd want to make sure I can grab a shower prior to the BKK flight, and it sounds like I'd have to use one of the Priority Pass lounges to do that.
I guess I have 2+ months to mull it over. 7 hours in an OK lounge with OK food offerings doesn't sound too thrilling, but sometimes its nice to not be subjected to passport checks and security re-screening again and again, and thats what would happen if I ventured into Helsinki proper. decisions!
I have a 7 hour 20 minute layover in mid-July. Flying JFK-HEL-BKK (arriving 1010, departing 1730) on a paid business class ticket, however I have NO OneWorld status whatsoever. My understanding is that I'll have access to the regular business class lounge, but will NOT have access to the Platinum Wing (if its even opened by then). I do have PriorityPass, so I could get into Plaza Premium which should be open by then.
I see the AY Business Class lounge has lockers for bag storage. Is there a charge for this? The HEL airport website shows they offer lockers starting from 5€ per H24 which isn't a bad deal, but if I could ditch the bags for free in the AY J lounge and go into town for the afternoon, I might do that. I've been to Helsinki a few times before though, and am not really sure what I'd see / do on a layover that I haven't done already. Maybe go to Suomenlinna and ride bikes, but I'd want to make sure I can grab a shower prior to the BKK flight, and it sounds like I'd have to use one of the Priority Pass lounges to do that.
I guess I have 2+ months to mull it over. 7 hours in an OK lounge with OK food offerings doesn't sound too thrilling, but sometimes its nice to not be subjected to passport checks and security re-screening again and again, and thats what would happen if I ventured into Helsinki proper. decisions!
There is no charge for lockers.
Schengen lounge has two showers, usually there is no waiting even if lounge was busy.
Apr 28, 2019, 12:30 am
#769
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: former MD-88 jumpseat Medallion. DL FO, AA PLT PRO. Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 752
good deal, kiitos paljon to you both for the quick replies!
Apr 28, 2019, 7:13 am
#770
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
May 3, 2019, 1:30 am
#771
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: AY+ Plat, TK *A Gold
Posts: 94
The Amex NYT app mentioned that the Plaza Premium lounge opens today. Couldn’t find info anywhere else though.
May 3, 2019, 2:19 am
#774
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
Unfortunately, the only time I tried it to get to the Premium Lounge, the lounge dragon sent me back to Schengen and mentioned that it was even disallowed to proceed to that non-Schengen area with a Schengen BP. I think if it was disallowed, it would have been observed, but at the same point, since there was no chance to visit the better lounge, I have never tried it again.
May 3, 2019, 2:22 am
#775
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 170
You can go through the automatic machines which have never asked me about the destination Unfortunately, the only time I tried it to get to the Premium Lounge, the lounge dragon sent me back to Schengen and mentioned that it was even disallowed to proceed to that non-Schengen area with a Schengen BP. I think if it was disallowed, it would have been observed, but at the same point, since there was no chance to visit the better lounge, I have never tried it again.
Unfortunately, the only time I tried it to get to the Premium Lounge, the lounge dragon sent me back to Schengen and mentioned that it was even disallowed to proceed to that non-Schengen area with a Schengen BP. I think if it was disallowed, it would have been observed, but at the same point, since there was no chance to visit the better lounge, I have never tried it again.
May 3, 2019, 4:25 am
#777
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,749
May 3, 2019, 7:49 am
#779
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo
Posts: 1,519
I went ahead and tried to enter anyway. Looked 99% complete and plenty of staff bringing in furniture etc. so it looks like the Plaza Premium might open tonight!