Nov 4, 2015, 9:05 am
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.
!!
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.
Finnair A350 XWB master thread
Feb 28, 2022, 3:15 am
#1381
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,789
Feb 28, 2022, 4:22 am
#1383
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,531
Feb 28, 2022, 5:04 am
#1384
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,789
Mar 18, 2022, 5:38 am
#1385
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: KrisFlyer, BAEC
Posts: 33
Moved seat -
It seems that despite booking economy comfort (HEL-SIN) in seat 22B / 22C my seat has now moved to comfort seat 32b/ 32c.
Looking at seatguru, row 32 isn’t comfort, I don’t think AY131 now has premium economy?
I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done about this, it now looks like I can’t change the booking online.
Thanks in advance
Looking at seatguru, row 32 isn’t comfort, I don’t think AY131 now has premium economy?
I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done about this, it now looks like I can’t change the booking online.
Thanks in advance
Mar 18, 2022, 7:10 am
#1386
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,757
I don't know when you're flying, but my SIN flights early April have the new seats. In that configuration, 32 is comfort. The app will say "comfort" if your new seat is a comfort one.
Seatguru is probably not up-to-date.
Seatguru is probably not up-to-date.
Mar 18, 2022, 9:57 pm
#1388
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 7,963
It seems that despite booking economy comfort (HEL-SIN) in seat 22B / 22C my seat has now moved to comfort seat 32b/ 32c.
Looking at seatguru, row 32 isn’t comfort, I don’t think AY131 now has premium economy?
I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done about this, it now looks like I can’t change the booking online.
Thanks in advance
Looking at seatguru, row 32 isn’t comfort, I don’t think AY131 now has premium economy?
I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done about this, it now looks like I can’t change the booking online.
Thanks in advance
I had the same thing happen when new seats arrived. The new PE section remained blocked. About 72hr before departure they started selling those seats as extra space seats....
I was originally in 22c and moved to 32d if I recall... oddly only the middle seats were classes as comfort but that could have just been another ay IT thing
Mar 19, 2022, 11:23 am
#1389
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: Qatar Plat OW*E, HH Diamond, Hyatt Exp, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 274
It seems that despite booking economy comfort (HEL-SIN) in seat 22B / 22C my seat has now moved to comfort seat 32b/ 32c.
Looking at seatguru, row 32 isn’t comfort, I don’t think AY131 now has premium economy?
I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done about this, it now looks like I can’t change the booking online.
Thanks in advance
Looking at seatguru, row 32 isn’t comfort, I don’t think AY131 now has premium economy?
I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done about this, it now looks like I can’t change the booking online.
Thanks in advance
Mar 19, 2022, 2:13 pm
#1390
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: KrisFlyer, BAEC
Posts: 33
Mar 19, 2022, 2:14 pm
#1391
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: KrisFlyer, BAEC
Posts: 33
Its odd as they aren't actually selling the Premium on the route now or later in the year (for the dates I checked)....
Mar 22, 2022, 5:01 am
#1392
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: KrisFlyer, BAEC
Posts: 33
Ok - a quick update from me, despite being moved from 21A to 32H, when I arrived at LHR they left me on row 21 (L / J) and seemed confused as to why the app and email said my seats had changed. The seat was indeed Premium Economy, the service / food was economy, for the now 12 hour 30 flight, the TV / entertainment system was off for the entire flight due to a technical issue.
I'll be curious to see how much more expensive the Prem Economy is on the SIN>LHR route, maybe something i'll think about when it's bookable (I believe from May)?
As an FYI - about 60 people in economy and maybe 20 in Business on AY131 on Sunday evening.
I'll be curious to see how much more expensive the Prem Economy is on the SIN>LHR route, maybe something i'll think about when it's bookable (I believe from May)?
As an FYI - about 60 people in economy and maybe 20 in Business on AY131 on Sunday evening.
Mar 22, 2022, 6:27 am
#1393
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 7,963
Ok - a quick update from me, despite being moved from 21A to 32H, when I arrived at LHR they left me on row 21 (L / J) and seemed confused as to why the app and email said my seats had changed. The seat was indeed Premium Economy, the service / food was economy, for the now 12 hour 30 flight, the TV / entertainment system was off for the entire flight due to a technical issue.
I'll be curious to see how much more expensive the Prem Economy is on the SIN>LHR route, maybe something i'll think about when it's bookable (I believe from May)?
As an FYI - about 60 people in economy and maybe 20 in Business on AY131 on Sunday evening.
I'll be curious to see how much more expensive the Prem Economy is on the SIN>LHR route, maybe something i'll think about when it's bookable (I believe from May)?
As an FYI - about 60 people in economy and maybe 20 in Business on AY131 on Sunday evening.
That must have made poeple happy NO IFE for 12.5hrs to SIN 😁
The seat in PE is comfy I would sit in it on a day flight gladly
Mar 22, 2022, 7:21 am
#1394
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: KrisFlyer, BAEC
Posts: 33
Ahh yes, the flight with no IFE was much fun....they did offer a wifi voucher for the flight, although from a previous experience the connection wasn't good enough for streaming video. Agreed, for a day flight PE was ok, I do wonder how the ticketing will work if I buy PE from SIN > LHR, PE on the long haul, business on HEL>LHR leg?
Mar 27, 2022, 12:10 pm
#1395
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 2
I just spoke to Finnair USA and they said that the seat numbers are changed. I called them because I went from 21 (paid) to 51!*
According to them, their row numbering has changed from 21ABC to "31ABC" and 41ABC to "51ABC."
You can walk through a 3D rendering of the remodeled Layout 2. Premium Economy starts at row 21 and Economy now starts at 31. finnair.com/us-en/flight-information/finnair-fleet (3D View)
*EDIT: This afternoon the flight changed to an A330. Maybe due to fuel prices and lack of interest to fly to Europe due to the current situation. The different plane is why Finnair auto-changed our seats to row 51 as that's the extra leg room/bulk head/exit, which is the equivalent upgrade as our old 21BC. So, I called back and changed from 31AC to 51AC. The row 31 seats are 1/3 the upgrade price, so I would have either needed a refund or to change seats, as we did.
According to them, their row numbering has changed from 21ABC to "31ABC" and 41ABC to "51ABC."
You can walk through a 3D rendering of the remodeled Layout 2. Premium Economy starts at row 21 and Economy now starts at 31. finnair.com/us-en/flight-information/finnair-fleet (3D View)
*EDIT: This afternoon the flight changed to an A330. Maybe due to fuel prices and lack of interest to fly to Europe due to the current situation. The different plane is why Finnair auto-changed our seats to row 51 as that's the extra leg room/bulk head/exit, which is the equivalent upgrade as our old 21BC. So, I called back and changed from 31AC to 51AC. The row 31 seats are 1/3 the upgrade price, so I would have either needed a refund or to change seats, as we did.
Last edited by Snow Drift; Mar 28, 2022 at 7:30 am