Finnair newbie questions thread (flame-free)
Nov 11, 2019, 2:18 pm
#2581
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: BGO (Temporarily HEL)
Programs: AY+ Gold, SK EBG
Posts: 400
Nov 11, 2019, 6:36 pm
#2583
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,156
Nov 13, 2019, 12:29 am
#2585
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland / Estonia
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 6,525
Hi!
In early January the sun will go down before 4PM and you need to prepare for freezing temperatures, so not the best time for sights. It sounds you'll probably have around 4-5h to kill, I would recommend a dinner and some indoor fun. There's a big Jumbo mall & Flamingo spa 4km from the airport, easy taxi ride. https://www.flamingospa.fi/en/
If you prefer to come to the city, the comfy train ride takes 30min. If you arrive between Jan 4-8 there's Lux Helsinki going on, a light art festival in the city center. That's fun, unless it's too cold. https://www.luxhelsinki.fi/en
The same airport train takes you to an other huge mall, the new Tripla, one station (Pasila) before the city. Their speciality is indoor surfing, in tropical temperatures
https://surfhousehelsinki.com/en/
The lockers at the airport shoudn't be any problem, perhaps someone else knows the details.
In early January the sun will go down before 4PM and you need to prepare for freezing temperatures, so not the best time for sights. It sounds you'll probably have around 4-5h to kill, I would recommend a dinner and some indoor fun. There's a big Jumbo mall & Flamingo spa 4km from the airport, easy taxi ride. https://www.flamingospa.fi/en/
If you prefer to come to the city, the comfy train ride takes 30min. If you arrive between Jan 4-8 there's Lux Helsinki going on, a light art festival in the city center. That's fun, unless it's too cold. https://www.luxhelsinki.fi/en
The same airport train takes you to an other huge mall, the new Tripla, one station (Pasila) before the city. Their speciality is indoor surfing, in tropical temperatures
https://surfhousehelsinki.com/en/The lockers at the airport shoudn't be any problem, perhaps someone else knows the details.
Lockers at HEL?
Nov 15, 2019, 6:34 am
#2586
Join Date: May 2019
Location: TMP - Finland
Programs: AY platinum, SIXT platinum, IHG platinum
Posts: 47
I actually found a perfect use for the ever-so-delicious pocket-warm Becherovka. It goes surprisingly well together with glögi and you don't even have to take suojakänni to be able to drink it.
Nov 15, 2019, 7:46 am
#2587
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,591
Nov 16, 2019, 2:15 am
#2588
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (oneworld Emerald), Bonvoy/Radisson/Hilton Gold
Posts: 148
Definitely - and welcome!
A side note: a moment ago I experienced a funny feeling while reading this thread. After all this talk about mulled wine I was really enjoying the feeling of getting to taste it again after almost a year and remembering how it tastes like. And without thinking anything I took a sip of my morning coffee - and for a second I was thinking “Where is the taste?! It’s nice and warm but no taste at all!” before realizing it’s coffee, not glögi...
A side note: a moment ago I experienced a funny feeling while reading this thread. After all this talk about mulled wine I was really enjoying the feeling of getting to taste it again after almost a year and remembering how it tastes like. And without thinking anything I took a sip of my morning coffee - and for a second I was thinking “Where is the taste?! It’s nice and warm but no taste at all!” before realizing it’s coffee, not glögi...
Nov 16, 2019, 7:16 pm
#2589
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
Definitely - and welcome!
A side note: a moment ago I experienced a funny feeling while reading this thread. After all this talk about mulled wine I was really enjoying the feeling of getting to taste it again after almost a year and remembering how it tastes like. And without thinking anything I took a sip of my morning coffee - and for a second I was thinking “Where is the taste?! It’s nice and warm but no taste at all!” before realizing it’s coffee, not glögi...
A side note: a moment ago I experienced a funny feeling while reading this thread. After all this talk about mulled wine I was really enjoying the feeling of getting to taste it again after almost a year and remembering how it tastes like. And without thinking anything I took a sip of my morning coffee - and for a second I was thinking “Where is the taste?! It’s nice and warm but no taste at all!” before realizing it’s coffee, not glögi...
Time to learn some Finnish!
Nov 18, 2019, 1:50 pm
#2590
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BAEC Silver, HHonors Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 217
First longhaul business class flight coming with Finnair. I am only accustomed to QR/TK longhaul food service so I am probably set for disappointment.
- I ordered chef's gourmet menu reindeer for outbound flight. Looks rather unappetizing in pictures. Good or bad choice?
- Can I order several main courses, esp. in case I don't like this one or if it is not enough? I found it strange that soup is main course and not part of "set". So if I have this reindeer, can I also have soup?
- Anytime dining is not something Finnair practice right so it will take some time to get served?
- I ordered chef's gourmet menu reindeer for outbound flight. Looks rather unappetizing in pictures. Good or bad choice?
- Can I order several main courses, esp. in case I don't like this one or if it is not enough? I found it strange that soup is main course and not part of "set". So if I have this reindeer, can I also have soup?
- Anytime dining is not something Finnair practice right so it will take some time to get served?
Nov 18, 2019, 1:59 pm
#2591
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,660
First longhaul business class flight coming with Finnair. I am only accustomed to QR/TK longhaul food service so I am probably set for disappointment.
- I ordered chef's gourmet menu reindeer for outbound flight. Looks rather unappetizing in pictures. Good or bad choice?
- Can I order several main courses, esp. in case I don't like this one or if it is not enough? I found it strange that soup is main course and not part of "set". So if I have this reindeer, can I also have soup?
- Anytime dining is not something Finnair practice right so it will take some time to get served?
- I ordered chef's gourmet menu reindeer for outbound flight. Looks rather unappetizing in pictures. Good or bad choice?
- Can I order several main courses, esp. in case I don't like this one or if it is not enough? I found it strange that soup is main course and not part of "set". So if I have this reindeer, can I also have soup?
- Anytime dining is not something Finnair practice right so it will take some time to get served?
Nov 18, 2019, 2:12 pm
#2592
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,735
One main course per person. If you're picky, then avoid the reindeer as it will become dry and liver-like in the oven if they keep it there too long. When heated right, it's an excellent dish.
Nov 18, 2019, 3:01 pm
#2593
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BAEC Silver, HHonors Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 217
Nov 20, 2019, 3:42 am
#2595
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (oneworld Emerald), Bonvoy/Radisson/Hilton Gold
Posts: 148
First longhaul business class flight coming with Finnair. I am only accustomed to QR/TK longhaul food service so I am probably set for disappointment.
- I ordered chef's gourmet menu reindeer for outbound flight. Looks rather unappetizing in pictures. Good or bad choice?
- Can I order several main courses, esp. in case I don't like this one or if it is not enough? I found it strange that soup is main course and not part of "set". So if I have this reindeer, can I also have soup?
- Anytime dining is not something Finnair practice right so it will take some time to get served?
- I ordered chef's gourmet menu reindeer for outbound flight. Looks rather unappetizing in pictures. Good or bad choice?
- Can I order several main courses, esp. in case I don't like this one or if it is not enough? I found it strange that soup is main course and not part of "set". So if I have this reindeer, can I also have soup?
- Anytime dining is not something Finnair practice right so it will take some time to get served?
1.5 weeks ago I left BKK with the 23:00ish flight and got asked if I would like to eat right away after take off or later. I was surprised! The same has happened on longer European routes (BCN and FCO).
