Finnair newbie questions thread (flame-free)
May 11, 2021, 2:11 pm
#2957
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
Yes. One tray hot meal with a starter and a dessert. Or a hot breakfast with cold cuts and youghurt. No options. You can preorder a special meal, though.
May 25, 2021, 2:53 am
#2958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
I booked an Economy Flex return ticket. It says " CANCELLATION (BEFORE / AFTER DEPARTURE) Yes"
Does that mean I can cancel for a full refund? Or do they still charge some admin fee? How long are refunds taking now days?
Does that mean I can cancel for a full refund? Or do they still charge some admin fee? How long are refunds taking now days?
May 25, 2021, 3:44 am
#2959
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
There usually is a handling fee for refund on a flexible ticket, but someone with more recent experience will know better than me.
As for speed of refund, I had a cancelled/rebooked flight I decided not to accept two weeks ago. I got refund notice the same day as cancellation and money registered on the card 4 days later.
The key to fast refund is to have a ticket bought from Finnair directly. (in the beginning of the crisis, status played a roll too, but not sure it does now)
As for speed of refund, I had a cancelled/rebooked flight I decided not to accept two weeks ago. I got refund notice the same day as cancellation and money registered on the card 4 days later.
The key to fast refund is to have a ticket bought from Finnair directly. (in the beginning of the crisis, status played a roll too, but not sure it does now)
May 25, 2021, 7:38 am
#2960
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, OZ Diamond, LH Silver
Posts: 553
May 27, 2021, 12:37 am
#2962
Join Date: Apr 2021
Programs: Finnair Platinum, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 33
Travelling internationally (to Spain) from HEL this week. I'm going to get a covid test via Omaolo today. Do they provide sufficient documentation around the result? This is a free test.
May 27, 2021, 3:21 am
#2963
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
If you intend to take the 24 € antigen test at AGP on your way back, make sure to book early, like a couple of weeks before, as they are very busy.
May 29, 2021, 12:02 pm
#2964
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
As two very optimistic Covid-vaccinated but plain AY platinums, I and spouse booked an overwater villa from Conrad Maldives for next November-December. We decided to try Qatar for the reasonable travel times they offer, business class (but regrettably no first class available and settled for poor man's I in QR for about 6 keur). However, which lounges in Hamad? Onwards on 787+777 and return on 777+350 up to ARN and then whateva with AY to HEL. Conrad Bora Bora would have taken almost two days each way and AF flights via LAX...
Jun 1, 2021, 3:42 am
#2965
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,601
As two very optimistic Covid-vaccinated but plain AY platinums, I and spouse booked an overwater villa from Conrad Maldives for next November-December. We decided to try Qatar for the reasonable travel times they offer, business class (but regrettably no first class available and settled for poor man's I in QR for about 6 keur). However, which lounges in Hamad? Onwards on 787+777 and return on 777+350 up to ARN and then whateva with AY to HEL. Conrad Bora Bora would have taken almost two days each way and AF flights via LAX...
here’s hoping 😎
Jun 1, 2021, 6:57 pm
#2966
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: AY+ Lumo, HH Diamond
Posts: 503
As two very optimistic Covid-vaccinated but plain AY platinums, I and spouse booked an overwater villa from Conrad Maldives for next November-December. We decided to try Qatar for the reasonable travel times they offer, business class (but regrettably no first class available and settled for poor man's I in QR for about 6 keur). However, which lounges in Hamad? Onwards on 787+777 and return on 777+350 up to ARN and then whateva with AY to HEL. Conrad Bora Bora would have taken almost two days each way and AF flights via LAX...
Re DOH: Currently OWE is kindly directed to the Al Mourjan even if they fly in economy or R. R is QR's stripped Business fare which in non-pandemic times does not entitle you to the Al Mourjan. It is unclear when this policy will come to an end; i.e. when the substitute OWE 'First lounges' will open. It's a fantastic lounge even during the pandemic, and QR's service in the premium cabin, QSuites or not, is one of the best products in the world. I wish AY could clearly stand out and win passengers over in these kind of terms too, and not just appealing to some short geographic route.
Jun 2, 2021, 7:38 am
#2967
Join Date: Apr 2021
Programs: Finnair Platinum, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 33
Congratulations on your trip.
Re DOH: Currently OWE is kindly directed to the Al Mourjan even if they fly in economy or R. R is QR's stripped Business fare which in non-pandemic times does not entitle you to the Al Mourjan. It is unclear when this policy will come to an end; i.e. when the substitute OWE 'First lounges' will open. It's a fantastic lounge even during the pandemic, and QR's service in the premium cabin, QSuites or not, is one of the best products in the world. I wish AY could clearly stand out and win passengers over in these kind of terms too, and not just appealing to some short geographic route.
Re DOH: Currently OWE is kindly directed to the Al Mourjan even if they fly in economy or R. R is QR's stripped Business fare which in non-pandemic times does not entitle you to the Al Mourjan. It is unclear when this policy will come to an end; i.e. when the substitute OWE 'First lounges' will open. It's a fantastic lounge even during the pandemic, and QR's service in the premium cabin, QSuites or not, is one of the best products in the world. I wish AY could clearly stand out and win passengers over in these kind of terms too, and not just appealing to some short geographic route.
Jun 2, 2021, 7:54 am
#2968
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
Actually, HEL-BKK is an anomaly in the (pre-covid) AY network as one of the few point-to-point routes. You only need to look at a Finnair schedule from the 1990s to see what an AY without connecting pax would look like. The current (pre-covid) network is mostly based on the Asian strategy, where HEL acts as a connecting hub and AY offers shortest and most convenient connections between more or less strange city combinations, think STR-NGO etc.
With its European cost structure, AY will never be able to compete with Middle Eastern or Asian carriers as far as service is concerned, but I still feel that pre-covid AY service was, in fact, very good when you compare it with European and NA carriers.
With its European cost structure, AY will never be able to compete with Middle Eastern or Asian carriers as far as service is concerned, but I still feel that pre-covid AY service was, in fact, very good when you compare it with European and NA carriers.
Jun 9, 2021, 5:46 am
#2969
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: EFHK - HEL
Programs: AY, LH, KL, SK, D8, Marriott, Melia.
Posts: 609
Finnair A319 first row
My first World problem: is Finnair A319 business class seat 1F a good seat or should I go for 1A. In a morning flight 1A gets all the sun when flying out of Helsinki. 🤷♂️
Jun 9, 2021, 5:54 am
#2970
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
I'm trying to figure out the same, but aisle, ie 1C or 1D. I don't remember if there's a difference in legroom.
Right now I'm booked in 1C for HEL-RHO and 10D for RHO-HEL. I don't want row 10 for HEL-RHO because at RHO, you walk from the plane to the terminal and I want to be among the first to clear immigration/whatever control they have there quickly. On the way back, though, it's going to be a bus ride anyway, so row 10 is better. Fairly in the middle, so no matter which door they use to deplane, you're always in the middle, not the last one.
Right now I'm booked in 1C for HEL-RHO and 10D for RHO-HEL. I don't want row 10 for HEL-RHO because at RHO, you walk from the plane to the terminal and I want to be among the first to clear immigration/whatever control they have there quickly. On the way back, though, it's going to be a bus ride anyway, so row 10 is better. Fairly in the middle, so no matter which door they use to deplane, you're always in the middle, not the last one.