Chicago flights [and Chicago lounges]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Brisbane
Programs: QF gold, HH Diamond, VA plat, Aegean Gold
Posts: 679
Chicago flights [and Chicago lounges]
Hi - was wondering whether anyone knew how the HEL - ORD flight loads are like - I think this is quite a new service and was wondering the likelihood of it coming back next summer. Also, in looking at this years dates - the flights seem to be more expensive than going to JFK, is that usual or just because I am looking closer to the time? thanks
#3
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AY Platinum Lumo (LTG) OW Emerald, SPG Platinum (LTG), UA Silver
Posts: 380
The Swissport lounge Finnair is using at ORD was packed on last Friday. The passengers were mainly from other than Finnair flights. Even though there was basically no seating available the Dragons were happily accepting new guests. The food and drinks served are not good quality.
If you arrive early and based on your OW status are able to use either the BA C or F lounge I would recommend that. However the BA lounges close by the time they board the last BA flight departing at 8.35pm.
When I went to the BA F lounge the Dragon first declined access for me as a Finnair passenger. When I said that I have access as an OWE, the Dragon stated that the lounge was full. I did point out that it is half empty. Then she said that my flight is late and they will close soon (it was still open for +45min). After I said that I know that they will close the Dragon let me in.
Lounge is relatively small. The food servings was good quality and they serve a good selection of drinks including champagne.
If you arrive early and based on your OW status are able to use either the BA C or F lounge I would recommend that. However the BA lounges close by the time they board the last BA flight departing at 8.35pm.
When I went to the BA F lounge the Dragon first declined access for me as a Finnair passenger. When I said that I have access as an OWE, the Dragon stated that the lounge was full. I did point out that it is half empty. Then she said that my flight is late and they will close soon (it was still open for +45min). After I said that I know that they will close the Dragon let me in.
Lounge is relatively small. The food servings was good quality and they serve a good selection of drinks including champagne.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Gold
Posts: 428
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North Sentinel Island
Programs: UA Gold, BONVOY TIT
Posts: 777
Don't bother. Get a sandwich at Tortas Frontera.
#7
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AY Gold
Posts: 596
What I've heard their ORD service is doing fine, looks very likely it will return next summer.
No surprise NYC flights are cheaper, that's how it usually is ex-HEL (ex-Europe generally?), summer being the high season naturally. The AA/AY/BA/IB joint venture often gives the best prices.
No surprise NYC flights are cheaper, that's how it usually is ex-HEL (ex-Europe generally?), summer being the high season naturally. The AA/AY/BA/IB joint venture often gives the best prices.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: Viking Club Member, K-Plussa Paras asiakas
Posts: 6
When I went to the BA F lounge the Dragon first declined access for me as a Finnair passenger. When I said that I have access as an OWE, the Dragon stated that the lounge was full. I did point out that it is half empty. Then she said that my flight is late and they will close soon (it was still open for +45min). After I said that I know that they will close the Dragon let me in.
To clarify, AY Plat holding BP for AY10 sold as AA
#11
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Gold
Posts: 428
I think we will try BA Terraces (C Lounge). Let's see if they try to deny access based on AY using Swissport lounge.
EDIT: No luck at BA terraces:
- all BA flights oversold and lounge packed
- lounge closes early (ok for us)
- AY doesn't pay them for visitors
I told that we would prefer BA lounge referring to OW rules. Dragon would have let me in, but didn't allow me to guest my travel companion (I am OWS).
Last edited by HJP; May 28, 2016 at 5:58 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Illinois.
Programs: Switched from UA 1K to AA so I could earn EQD's on partners. Mid-tier on most major hotel programs.
Posts: 542
I was on the ORD-HEL flight last Friday, May 27....an email from Finnair before checking in noted that the flight was oversold and that they may be looking for volunteers. I am not sure if they did try to bump anyone or not, I was in the very overcrowded Swissport lounge (not sure why! haha).
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,366
Hi, we're taking this flight next week ORD-HEL. I tried to pick a meal and could not but called and they could assign one.
Only options both ways were Salmon, Chicken of vegetarian. I was hoping for a Reindeer option... I thought it was weird same meal selection both ways. Does this make sense?
Only options both ways were Salmon, Chicken of vegetarian. I was hoping for a Reindeer option... I thought it was weird same meal selection both ways. Does this make sense?
#14
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,433
Here's the menu that was sent to me on May 26th with the following message:
"Hi!
Please find the menu attached below.
It is possible that the menu changes before your flight in July so you should contact us later again, to check the situation.
I hope you have nice flight!
Best wishes
Finnair Customer Care"
"Hi!
Please find the menu attached below.
It is possible that the menu changes before your flight in July so you should contact us later again, to check the situation.
I hope you have nice flight!
Best wishes
Finnair Customer Care"
#15
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,366
Here's the menu that was sent to me on May 26th with the following message:
"Hi!
Please find the menu attached below.
It is possible that the menu changes before your flight in July so you should contact us later again, to check the situation.
I hope you have nice flight!
Best wishes
Finnair Customer Care"
"Hi!
Please find the menu attached below.
It is possible that the menu changes before your flight in July so you should contact us later again, to check the situation.
I hope you have nice flight!
Best wishes
Finnair Customer Care"