Finnair newbie questions thread (flame-free)
Mar 28, 2024, 10:39 am
#5266
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
Interesting, that would be real life hack to not claim bags and then go pick them up...there must be some risks involved (i.e. waterboarding)? Going to FL would then be definate option, good to know. But maybe most reasonable method is to check Hilton as it has been reported to be option but sounded like off the books thing so...
Mar 28, 2024, 3:36 pm
#5267
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Panamá
Programs: AY+ Platsku, CM Silver, Frontier Elite 100K, Marriott Gold and LT Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador.
Posts: 377
I have a similar problem as well regarding ORD, asked help at other FT forum (US midwest) but so far no luck. There are no baggage storage so 11h layover is bit tricky with luggage. Also, with family and only one OWE anymore, on need to carefully think whether to go to flagship lounge alone and leave the rest to other lounge 
If the lounge is even worth it.
If the lounge is even worth it.
Mar 30, 2024, 3:52 am
#5270
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AY+, SK EB
Posts: 2,962
Mar 31, 2024, 4:28 am
#5272
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), HHonors Gold
Posts: 203
Apr 1, 2024, 8:17 am
#5273
Join Date: May 2021
Location: East Asia esp. near the Equator
Programs: AY+ (Emerald), OZ (*G), IHG (Diamond)
Posts: 122
I recently made something similar, but in my case as traveling the usual light way (carry-on only), but due to a passport issue I wasn't able to finish OLCI.
I found the food offering of the Flagship Lounge at ORD to be the best of all the network so I could really enjoy the extra time.
So I had to wait for the painfully late time (3 hours before flight departure IIRC) the counter opened.
At least you don;t have to clear security again at Terminal 5 (or even head back via the ATS), make sure to use the Terminal Transfer Bus almost hidden at gate K20 and enjoy the great ride.
I found the food offering of the Flagship Lounge at ORD to be the best of all the network so I could really enjoy the extra time.
So I had to wait for the painfully late time (3 hours before flight departure IIRC) the counter opened.
At least you don;t have to clear security again at Terminal 5 (or even head back via the ATS), make sure to use the Terminal Transfer Bus almost hidden at gate K20 and enjoy the great ride.
Hi, I will be doing a run in May to ORD and would like to give this a try.
So to confirm, we still check in at ORD Terminal 5 and then look for a Terminal Transfer Bus near T5 K20 and head to T3? How much time should we leave to head back to T5, i.e. how early should we leave the lounge in T3 assuming a 9.30pm flight time?
Apr 1, 2024, 8:54 am
#5274
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
Hi, I will be doing a run in May to ORD and would like to give this a try.
So to confirm, we still check in at ORD Terminal 5 and then look for a Terminal Transfer Bus near T5 K20 and head to T3? How much time should we leave to head back to T5, i.e. how early should we leave the lounge in T3 assuming a 9.30pm flight time?
So to confirm, we still check in at ORD Terminal 5 and then look for a Terminal Transfer Bus near T5 K20 and head to T3? How much time should we leave to head back to T5, i.e. how early should we leave the lounge in T3 assuming a 9.30pm flight time?
I'd head for the bus about 60-90min before departure as sometimes there is a wait.
1. Check in and drop bags at T5
2. Take train to T3
3. Clear TSA and head to FL
4. Take bus from K20 in T3 to T5
Apr 1, 2024, 9:15 am
#5275
Join Date: May 2021
Location: East Asia esp. near the Equator
Programs: AY+ (Emerald), OZ (*G), IHG (Diamond)
Posts: 122
You got a little mixed up with the terminals, the process is as follows:
I'd head for the bus about 60-90min before departure as sometimes there is a wait.
1. Check in and drop bags at T5
2. Take train to T3
3. Clear TSA and head to FL
4. Take bus from K20 in T3 to T5
I'd head for the bus about 60-90min before departure as sometimes there is a wait.
1. Check in and drop bags at T5
2. Take train to T3
3. Clear TSA and head to FL
4. Take bus from K20 in T3 to T5
Hello again, you really helped me during my last run back in 2022, thanks again.
Okay so check in at T5, which is at most 3 hours before flight departure?
Train which is before TAS to T3,
Clear TSA at T3
So assuming I am at the check in counter before anyone else, and check in exactly 180 mins before, I presume the train and TSA at T3 would take at least 1 hour all in? and if I head to the bus at K20 in T3 for T5, at say 75 mins before departure, wouldn't that mean I would probably have at most 1 hour at the T3 FL and likely maybe 45mins ?
any idea what the BA lounge in T5 is like?
Apr 1, 2024, 9:27 am
#5276
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,664
Hello again, you really helped me during my last run back in 2022, thanks again.
Okay so check in at T5, which is at most 3 hours before flight departure?
Train which is before TAS to T3,
Clear TSA at T3
So assuming I am at the check in counter before anyone else, and check in exactly 180 mins before, I presume the train and TSA at T3 would take at least 1 hour all in? and if I head to the bus at K20 in T3 for T5, at say 75 mins before departure, wouldn't that mean I would probably have at most 1 hour at the T3 FL and likely maybe 45mins ?
any idea what the BA lounge in T5 is like?
Okay so check in at T5, which is at most 3 hours before flight departure?
Train which is before TAS to T3,
Clear TSA at T3
So assuming I am at the check in counter before anyone else, and check in exactly 180 mins before, I presume the train and TSA at T3 would take at least 1 hour all in? and if I head to the bus at K20 in T3 for T5, at say 75 mins before departure, wouldn't that mean I would probably have at most 1 hour at the T3 FL and likely maybe 45mins ?
any idea what the BA lounge in T5 is like?
The BA lounge denies access to AY pax and even if you got in it isn't great.
Apr 1, 2024, 9:32 am
#5277
Join Date: May 2021
Location: East Asia esp. near the Equator
Programs: AY+ (Emerald), OZ (*G), IHG (Diamond)
Posts: 122
I believe the counter opens closer to 4hrs before departure. The train I'd say is a 5 min ride and TSA usually isn't bad at ORD T3, especially as you can access the AA priority lane saving some time. If you really want to be adventurous, show your digital AY+ card to the dragon at the AA Flagship First Check in which gets you to the front of the TSA line.
The BA lounge denies access to AY pax and even if you got in it isn't great.
The BA lounge denies access to AY pax and even if you got in it isn't great.
Thanks too for the warning about the BA lounge. So it even denies access to AY pax even if we are Sapphire / Emerald?
Apr 1, 2024, 11:14 am
#5278
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,297
Unfortunately yes, and this is not the only BA lounge in outstations that does this. But AA FL is very nice!
Apr 1, 2024, 11:50 am
#5279
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Panamá
Programs: AY+ Platsku, CM Silver, Frontier Elite 100K, Marriott Gold and LT Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador.
Posts: 377
Apr 1, 2024, 6:43 pm
#5280
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TUS and BDL
Programs: AA Gold, HHonors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Global Entry
Posts: 93
Finnair First-Timer
As a newbie, I have a few questions about flying Finnair maybe you fine folks can assist.
- I am flying DFW-HEL in business this summer. I'm assuming I'm using AA lounges in DFW, but what about in HEL on way back? I am flying with my partner in business and a friend will be flying in economy. What are the best lounge options for guesting? I have Priority Pass, and points if AA lets us use them to buy a guest pass for DFW. Thoughts?
- Is Finnair good about having seat belt extenders? I am a passenger of size and may need one in J seat.
- Anyone have experience flying the no recline seats? Thoughts?
- For those of you familiar with Helsinki, what are your top things to do/places to eat?
Last edited by FromMAtoAZ; Apr 1, 2024 at 6:44 pm Reason: Errant bullet