Finnair newbie questions thread (flame-free)
Jan 7, 2018, 8:15 am
#976
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat and several other cards
Posts: 645
I live in HKG but taking AY132 ex SIN to HEL @ 11:35pm purely for attractive business sale, first time AY flyer (QF Emerald). to arrange positioning flight like to understand few things
1) anyone know what time AY132 open for check-in at SIN. Or is "transfer desk" always manned?
2) I know CX will interline to AY on separate ticket, BUT what if my arrival to SIN is say about 9-12 hour prior AY132 departure? i'm concerned long layover increases risk of bags misplaced and never making AY flight.
1) anyone know what time AY132 open for check-in at SIN. Or is "transfer desk" always manned?
2) I know CX will interline to AY on separate ticket, BUT what if my arrival to SIN is say about 9-12 hour prior AY132 departure? i'm concerned long layover increases risk of bags misplaced and never making AY flight.
To my experience even airside transfer check-in is not possible earlier than 3hrs before departure. On the other hand, I haven't had problems with through checked-in bags during a long layover. SIN is well managed and organized airport, so I wouldn't be worried of baggage not making my flight.
Jan 7, 2018, 8:36 am
#977
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: 14,174
...
2) I know CX will interline to AY on separate ticket, BUT what if my arrival to SIN is say about 9-12 hour prior AY132 departure? i'm concerned long layover increases risk of bags misplaced and never making AY flight. If I choose not to inter-line I will need to wait for AY checkin to open to dump my bags which is very inconvenient unless check in open early
...
2) I know CX will interline to AY on separate ticket, BUT what if my arrival to SIN is say about 9-12 hour prior AY132 departure? i'm concerned long layover increases risk of bags misplaced and never making AY flight. If I choose not to inter-line I will need to wait for AY checkin to open to dump my bags which is very inconvenient unless check in open early
...
As for having bags in the system during long layovers I wouldn't worry. Can't see there are any increased risk there.
Last edited by intuition; Jan 7, 2018 at 8:47 am
Jan 7, 2018, 6:23 pm
#978
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,170
Thanks Purjelentaja & intuition
sounds like long-layover isn't an issue. So check-in opens at 930pm but I will probably try to arrive by 6pm if same day. I'm a bit of paranoia and I have tight itinery and many destinations in Nordics with pre-paid hotels etc, so I really want to avoid missing this. which means i might need day before... i keep you posted!
very excited about my first trip on AY. still far out.
sounds like long-layover isn't an issue. So check-in opens at 930pm but I will probably try to arrive by 6pm if same day. I'm a bit of paranoia and I have tight itinery and many destinations in Nordics with pre-paid hotels etc, so I really want to avoid missing this. which means i might need day before... i keep you posted!
very excited about my first trip on AY. still far out.
Jan 9, 2018, 4:08 pm
#980
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
So I have most of a day layover at HEL and am planning to go into town. I have a list of places to visit (museums, department stores, etc.).
My HEL-SIN flight leaves at 23:45, with boarding at 23:15.
Can I return to HEL and go to the lounge at any time, or is there a 3 hour window prior?
I intend to at least shower, and probably have some snacks.
On the other hand, if I really enjoy Helsinki and want to stay as long as possible, what would be the latest I should be at HEL for the flight? I'd plan 30-45 min for the train, and I guess similar for immigration/security.
My HEL-SIN flight leaves at 23:45, with boarding at 23:15.
Can I return to HEL and go to the lounge at any time, or is there a 3 hour window prior?
I intend to at least shower, and probably have some snacks.
On the other hand, if I really enjoy Helsinki and want to stay as long as possible, what would be the latest I should be at HEL for the flight? I'd plan 30-45 min for the train, and I guess similar for immigration/security.
Jan 10, 2018, 12:18 am
#981
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 280
There's no 3 hour window when accessing the lounge with status or J ticket, only with a prepaid voucher (or if you buy yourself in at the front desk).
HEL is very quiet in the evenings, so from the train to the lounge entrance won't probably take more than 20 minutes, most of which is walking and not standing in a line.
HEL is very quiet in the evenings, so from the train to the lounge entrance won't probably take more than 20 minutes, most of which is walking and not standing in a line.
Jan 10, 2018, 3:53 pm
#982
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,784
There's no 3 hour window when accessing the lounge with status or J ticket, only with a prepaid voucher (or if you buy yourself in at the front desk).
HEL is very quiet in the evenings, so from the train to the lounge entrance won't probably take more than 20 minutes, most of which is walking and not standing in a line.
HEL is very quiet in the evenings, so from the train to the lounge entrance won't probably take more than 20 minutes, most of which is walking and not standing in a line.
Jan 12, 2018, 9:16 am
#983
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,141
Hiya! I'll be at HEL airport on Feb 25 and a friend is thinking of also making a trip that day. I'll be flying out on QR to DOH, whereas he'd be flying WAW-HEL-WAW. Would it be possible for him to join me in the non-schengen lounge (I'd be OWS by the time)? I know at many airports it's not an issue to cross the border to use a "better" lounge or see off a loved one (done that many times at ZRH, MUC, FRA), but some take more strict approach to this,
Jan 12, 2018, 12:36 pm
#984
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Hiya! I'll be at HEL airport on Feb 25 and a friend is thinking of also making a trip that day. I'll be flying out on QR to DOH, whereas he'd be flying WAW-HEL-WAW. Would it be possible for him to join me in the non-schengen lounge (I'd be OWS by the time)? I know at many airports it's not an issue to cross the border to use a "better" lounge or see off a loved one (done that many times at ZRH, MUC, FRA), but some take more strict approach to this,
Keep in mind that non-AY OWS has limited access to the Premium side of the non-Schengen lounge.
Jan 12, 2018, 1:27 pm
#985
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,141
With polish passports I'd there won't be any problems with the automated gates — but if they're for some reason inoperational, would he be turned away or just explaining to the guard what are we doing let him pass?
Jan 12, 2018, 2:20 pm
#986
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Huh, I thought the Premium lounge is for OWE only, so I wasn't expecting to get to that part at all — the main attraction is going into a sauna at an airport.
With polish passports I'd there won't be any problems with the automated gates — but if they're for some reason inoperational, would he be turned away or just explaining to the guard what are we doing let him pass?
With polish passports I'd there won't be any problems with the automated gates — but if they're for some reason inoperational, would he be turned away or just explaining to the guard what are we doing let him pass?
Jan 14, 2018, 4:09 am
#987
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 231
Flying mainland China to Helsinki over Hongkong. One ticket but first flight is Cathay Dragon. I have 6h30 min layover in HKG (no sharper connections available)
Will I get HKG-Hel boarding pass already in China?
Is the layover enough to visit the city or should I just dwell the lounges.
Thx
Will I get HKG-Hel boarding pass already in China?
Is the layover enough to visit the city or should I just dwell the lounges.
Thx
Jan 14, 2018, 4:27 am
#988
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: 14,174
In the past I've gotten BPs at first flight. I was however a while since I did such a trip.
Unless you hold frequent visitors status or can use the e-chanel in HKG, it can take quite some time to exit and enter HKG. Count 1h for exiting airport into HKG and exiting HKG into airport again.
Airport express train is 25 minutes to town. Add a 10 minute wait for next train, so there is 1h10min more gone.
Still a bit more than 4 hours left and you can enjoy that in HKG easily.
But lounges in HKG are nice too, I can easily spend 6h there.
Unless you hold frequent visitors status or can use the e-chanel in HKG, it can take quite some time to exit and enter HKG. Count 1h for exiting airport into HKG and exiting HKG into airport again.
Airport express train is 25 minutes to town. Add a 10 minute wait for next train, so there is 1h10min more gone.
Still a bit more than 4 hours left and you can enjoy that in HKG easily.
But lounges in HKG are nice too, I can easily spend 6h there.
Jan 14, 2018, 4:48 am
#989
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: 5,294
Flying mainland China to Helsinki over Hongkong. One ticket but first flight is Cathay Dragon. I have 6h30 min layover in HKG (no sharper connections available)
Will I get HKG-Hel boarding pass already in China?
Is the layover enough to visit the city or should I just dwell the lounges.
Thx
Will I get HKG-Hel boarding pass already in China?
Is the layover enough to visit the city or should I just dwell the lounges.
Thx