Old Nov 4, 15, 9:05 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: OH-LGG
Finnair (AY) company website dedicated for A350 fleet can be found HERE
!!
bold= new cabin

!!

A350 Deliveries
OH-LWA (msn 18) delivered 7th Oct 2015 is the first Finnair A350 and started long-haul operations as AY57 to PVG on 21st Nov 2015.
OH-LWB (msn 19) was delivered 14th Dec 2015, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 19th Dec 2015.
OH-LWC (msn 20) was delivered 31st Dec 2015, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 3rd Jan 2016.
OH-LWD (msn 22) was delivered 25th Mar 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 28th Mar 2016.
OH-LWE (msn 23) was delivered 29th Apr 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 1st May 2016
OH-LWF (msn 28) was delivered 25th Jun 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 27th Jun 2016
OH-LWG (msn 51) was delivered 29th Sep 2016, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 30th Sep 2016
OH-LWH (msn 97) was delivered 04th Apr 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 5th Apr 2017
OH-LWI (msn 104) was delivered 02nd Jun 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 5th Jun 2017
OH-LWK (msn 113) was delivered 30th Jun 2017, started long-haul operations as AY89 to BKK on 3rd Jul 2017
OH-LWL (msn 134) was delivered on 22th Sep 2017, started as AY 831 to LHR on 27th Sep 2017 and started longhauls on 29th Sep 2017 as AY89 to BKK.
OH-LWM (msn 264) was delivered on 13th Dec 2018, started long-haul operations as AY73 to NRT on 19th Dec 2018
OH-LWN (msn 273) was delivered on 13th Feb 2019, started long-haul operations as AY73 to NRT on 16th Feb 2019
OH-LWO (msn 300) was delivered on 26th Apr 2019, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 29th Apr 2019
OH-LWP (msn 392) was delivered on 10th Feb 2020, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 13th Feb 2020
OH-LWR (msn 410) was delivered on 1st Sep 2020, started long haul operations as AY141 to BKK on 8th Sep 2020
OH-LWS (msn 516) was delivered on 29th Dec 2021, started long haul operations as AY87 to PVG (cargo only) on 24th Jan 2022, first pax service on 28th Feb 2022 as AY9

Seating
2 different configurations exists.
J/46 Y/251: Features 2 J cabins. First 8 birds and 12th(LWA-LWH, LWM) has this config
J/32 Y/304: The minicabin is removed and replaced with Y seating. Babycots in 1L and 41L. Birds 9-11, 13, 15 (LWI-LWL, LWN, LWP) has this config, a.k.a. marsuhäkki config.

Complete seatmap and layout of config 1 can be found HERE and config 2 is here.

Business Class features Zodiac Cirrus III full-flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 abreast config, all seats with direct access to the aisle. Config1 has two business class cabins, row1-8 and 9-12, while config2 only has one (row 1-8). Early reviews has preferred front cabin over minicabin, and for best window seat, row 2 or 1 may be preferable, row 1 for aisle seats.

As operations of A350 has matured, it has become practice to set the snack-bar on top of the cupboard in front of row 1, making row 1 experience a lot of foot traffic and noise.
Config2 also suffers from low toilet/pax quota (2 toilets / 32 pax) as the aft toilets has been assigned to the high density Y cabin, further contributing to high foot traffic in the front of the cabin. For these reasons, a seat further to the back may be preferable. However, all service start in the front and it will usually take a long time to get your meal in row 8.

For couples travelling together there is no clear choice. DH-seats are tilted towards each-other, but you still will not see the other person without leaning forwards. Seat across aisles (AD and HL respectively) has no barriers between them, but are tilted the wrong way and rows are also slightly misaligned.


Economy Comfort on A350 has the exact same seats as in economy, but with ≈4" inches more legroom. They also come with noise cancelling headphones, 1h internet, priority boarding and a small amenity kit.
Finnair platinums and OWE members can select these seats for free. (OWE must call to do so). Other passengers can select comfort seats for a fee, and seats are also sold after boarding.
On config1 comfort is row 21-25, while on config 2 comfort is row 21-24 + 25ABC and 25JKL. Row 21 is bulkhead and has slightly more space, as no seat reclines into the space. None of the configs has that super-space found on some retrofitted A330 though.

On config1 21AC and 21JL are the only paired seats making them preferable, but if you want to have IFE screen in the seat in front of you, pick row 22. On config2 all seats are in groups of 3, and it is also recommended to stay away from row 21 entirely, as it is entangled with the toilets.

In terms of space there are no seats in comfort cabin on either config that beats exit row 41A/C/J/L or 42A/L.



Economy Class features 3-3-3 abreast slimline seating with 32" pitch. The best seats are row 41 with most legroom on A/C/J/L (but they lack window), and row 42 A/L.
These are either labled "extra legroom" or "exit row" and are selectable with status or for a fee.
Economy cabin offers USB for charge - no AC outlets.


In-Flight Entertainment

IFE system is upgraded. Bigger screens, wider selection of movies and music, route mapper and control options. You can watch a movie from start to landing. You will have Bose noise-cancelling earphones in business class and in Economy comfort, and earplugs in economy class.
Wifi: you will see a code (in business class) in the screen when you open the IFE and select language. In economy class, you need to ask cabin crew for a voucher code if you are OWS/OWE, otherwise it costs you 7,95€ per hour, 11,95€ per three hours or 19,95€ for the whole flight. It may take some time until up in the air to get it started. Log in is required, once you have created an account and password, the system will recognize you next time.

Quality issues and early refurbishment
The seats in business class have had many quality issues from day one. Apart from some inherent problems with the seat design, there are also malfunctions and abnormal wear.
As every row has slightly different pitch, fittings and trimmings have had to de adopted manually. Apart from causing delays in delivery, this also has led to many things in the cabin tend to come loose, to squeak and to break.

In june 2017 it was announced that Airbus has accepted responsibility for the quality issues and will replace every seat on every plane delivered until that point in time (9 birds).
The refurbish will take place during the first round of major maintenance round, scheduled to start later this year.

There is no information if there will be any changes made at the same time (addressing complaints about cramped seats and missing stowage space for example), but most likely this is treated as a warranty action and so cabin will be equipped with the exact same seats and layout, albeit with a newer batch of seats.

More details and discussion:
FAM (Familiarization) flights were ongoing within European destinations until the first A350 aircraft was put on regular long-haul service on 21st November 2015. Here is a list of FAM flights quoted by a FT'er.
The "famous" introduction list with initial experiences can be found in THIS thread
Discussion about the first long-haul services and experiences can be found in another THREAD

Links to many trip reports can be found in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finn...ion-links.html.










Print Wikipost

Finnair A350 XWB master thread

Old Feb 8, 16, 11:40 am
  #121  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lincolnshire
Programs: BAEC Bronze, IHG Priority Club Platinum, SPG, Tufty Club
Posts: 199
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
Now first 350-service to HKG is 16MAR.
Looks as if they've maybe taken it off PEK and put it onto HKG then.
Englishlee0710 is offline  
Old Feb 8, 16, 12:09 pm
  #122  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 584
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
Now first 350-service to HKG is 16MAR.
I saw that too. and running every second day.
illico is offline  
Old Feb 8, 16, 12:13 pm
  #123  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 13,563
Originally Posted by Englishlee0710
Just heard that PEK-HEL on 19th March is now an A340. Although it still shows as an A350 on the seatmap in the PNR. Guess they're playing catch-up with that type of thing.
My booking changed today from A350 to A340 on the 17th March for AY52
WilcoRoger is offline  
Old Feb 8, 16, 12:43 pm
  #124  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 5,847
AY changes plans every week.

Those flights in March to Asia can be everything between cancelled and some Airbus. To NA -destinations it is something between cancelled and Boeing.
OH-LGG is online now  
Old Feb 8, 16, 12:53 pm
  #125  
Moderator, Finnair
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 13,737
You forgot one, and this is the truest one!

Flights to TMP can be cancelled or ATR. Most likely the former!
intuition is offline  
Old Feb 8, 16, 12:55 pm
  #126  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,340
All this sounds like an everyday lottery game to optimize your seat choice. Unless you only select 1A always
FFlash is offline  
Old Feb 8, 16, 1:13 pm
  #127  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 46,661
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
AY changes plans every week.

Those flights in March to Asia can be everything between cancelled and some Airbus. To NA -destinations it is something between cancelled and Boeing.
Hifly Boeing?
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Feb 8, 16, 2:26 pm
  #128  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 5,847
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Hifly Boeing?
Could be.

BTW, today AY51 again: CANCELLED.
OH-LGG is online now  
Old Feb 9, 16, 2:15 pm
  #129  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Things aren't looking good w/ the A350 over in Toulouse either...

https://twitter.com/flightradar24/st...64453431877633
Steve_Hun is offline  
Old Feb 10, 16, 12:44 am
  #130  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 46,661
That airport is used for training purposes, the A359 was probably on a line check / training mission for a customer, hence the mistake in turning the aircraft at the end of the runway. Not really indicative of the state of the A350 programme.
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Feb 10, 16, 12:57 am
  #131  
Moderator, Finnair
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 13,737
I don't think anyone is making general statements about the A350 program just yet.
I belive the B787 has set the bar pretty high for when a launch is considered disasterous...
But for a small airline like AY, even minor mishaps and on site trimmings make major disruptions. There just isn't room in the fleet and the scedule to accommodate even a few hours of downtime. I can feel the frustration growing.

As for A350 related incidents, one of VN's A350 had a major incident a week ago losing cabin pressure inflight and had to divert.
intuition is offline  
Old Feb 10, 16, 1:43 am
  #132  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 46,661
Evidently AY is billing Airbus for the extra cost of adhoc lease of EuroAtlantic and Hifly replacement aircraft.
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Feb 10, 16, 2:36 am
  #133  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Originally Posted by oliver2002
That airport is used for training purposes, the A359 was probably on a line check / training mission for a customer, hence the mistake in turning the aircraft at the end of the runway. Not really indicative of the state of the A350 programme.
LOL, Didn't necessarily mean anything serious, it was more of an interesting side note
Steve_Hun is offline  
Old Feb 10, 16, 11:24 am
  #134  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 5,847
Well well well, now AY95 is cancelled.
OH-LGG is online now  
Old Feb 12, 16, 11:29 am
  #135  
Moderator, Finnair
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Platinum, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 13,737
Finnair have updated schedules due to the delays in delivery

http://airlineroute.net/2016/02/12/ay-359-mar16/

Notworthy: HKG daily A350 from 7 April (A350 on alternating days from 16 March.)
intuition is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.