Apr 14, 2018, 1:56 am
Last edit by: intuition
Longhaul menus are supposed to be visible in MMB, but it is often broken. At the time of publishing, this link works.
Collection of current longhaul J menus (finnair.com)
Collection of current longhaul J menus (finnair.com)
Finnair Long Haul Business Class Food
Nov 10, 2018, 9:47 pm
#181
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,529
By return catered, you mean catered ex-HEL, right?
In January, I was told by a CC who seemed very knowledgeable that all pax meals are catered ex-DEL. You could also see it, the tin foil packaging was different from HEL and the butter was Indian etc. All crew meals, OTOH, were catered ex-HEL and kept in dry ice. Of course, things might change over time, but it would take quite a lot of galley space to cater everything ex-HEL.
In January, I was told by a CC who seemed very knowledgeable that all pax meals are catered ex-DEL. You could also see it, the tin foil packaging was different from HEL and the butter was Indian etc. All crew meals, OTOH, were catered ex-HEL and kept in dry ice. Of course, things might change over time, but it would take quite a lot of galley space to cater everything ex-HEL.
Nov 11, 2018, 12:29 am
#182
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat (OWE)
Posts: 493
By return catered, you mean catered ex-HEL, right?
In January, I was told by a CC who seemed very knowledgeable that all pax meals are catered ex-DEL. You could also see it, the tin foil packaging was different from HEL and the butter was Indian etc. All crew meals, OTOH, were catered ex-HEL and kept in dry ice. Of course, things might change over time, but it would take quite a lot of galley space to cater everything ex-HEL.
In January, I was told by a CC who seemed very knowledgeable that all pax meals are catered ex-DEL. You could also see it, the tin foil packaging was different from HEL and the butter was Indian etc. All crew meals, OTOH, were catered ex-HEL and kept in dry ice. Of course, things might change over time, but it would take quite a lot of galley space to cater everything ex-HEL.
Nov 12, 2018, 5:12 am
#184
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: JMB
Posts: 132
Nov 12, 2018, 5:18 am
#185
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,041
You're talking about the time after 11/20th? Because until that date it's online https://www.finnair.com/fi/gb/business-class-menus
Nov 15, 2018, 12:55 am
#188
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,041
Nov 15, 2018, 1:18 am
#189
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 938
On a flight earlier this week I noticed one thing they've updated...you know how the espresso machines are not working on about 50% of the flights. They have now added a footnote on the menu card below the coffee section: Espresso, Cafe Latte *available on select flights only.
What a cunning way of saying we have an espresso machine but a) forgot to load the capsules b) didn't do the maintenance for it c) can't be bothered to turn it on cause we're not quite sure how to operate it d) to serve instant coffee is just fine for an airline that aspires to offer the best LH business class in Europe.
What a cunning way of saying we have an espresso machine but a) forgot to load the capsules b) didn't do the maintenance for it c) can't be bothered to turn it on cause we're not quite sure how to operate it d) to serve instant coffee is just fine for an airline that aspires to offer the best LH business class in Europe.
Nov 15, 2018, 2:02 am
#190
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: 14,172
Sad to hear that. Good coffee could and should be a part of any concept that wants to distinguish itself above the mediocre.
Nov 20, 2018, 5:34 am
#191
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
The panic is over! Menus from 21st November are now available on the website.
Interesting to see that the previous "leisure routes" of HKT/KBV/SGN no longer have a simplified menu: there is the normal-looking choice of 2 appetisers and 3 entrees.
Separate question - does anyone have recent experience with VLML long-haul meals? Are they any good, or is it just economy-style pasta-with-tomato-sauce? I'm on the HKT flight in a few weeks, would sometimes eat fish if the veg option is awful, but there are no meat-free breakfast options.
Thanks a lot
Interesting to see that the previous "leisure routes" of HKT/KBV/SGN no longer have a simplified menu: there is the normal-looking choice of 2 appetisers and 3 entrees.
Separate question - does anyone have recent experience with VLML long-haul meals? Are they any good, or is it just economy-style pasta-with-tomato-sauce? I'm on the HKT flight in a few weeks, would sometimes eat fish if the veg option is awful, but there are no meat-free breakfast options.
Thanks a lot
Nov 20, 2018, 5:38 am
#192
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
Do note that ex-HEL VLML is also vegan and gluten-free, which also restricts the options they can offer.
Dec 9, 2018, 12:30 am
#194
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 938
AY102 Menu
AY102 HKG-HEL yesterday. Day flight which feels looong (just under 10 hours) so a great opportunity for AY to deliver on their promise of a 'Nordic nature signature menu with the best, fresh tastes and seasonal ingredients'
'Finnish traditions signature dishes by executive chef Jaakko Sorsa are served on Finnair's long-haul flights leaving Hong Kong'. This is a bit misleading as there was exactly one appetizer by Mr Sorsa on this flight and none of the main courses.
One of the Mains was 'Chef's Special' but not by Mr Sorsa. I asked the FA what the Chef's Special was and she said it's Chicken with rice. I said it doesn't sound very special to me. The reply came back 'Yes, but it is Chinese style'. Oh well I thought, if that makes it special I rest my case...
For starter I had the Roasted beef which was really nice. Main course Salmon was nothing to write home about.
The mid-flight Finnish coffee service 'Kahvikutsut' was a big letdown. They really should call it students' coffee party. Or what do you think of the following:
- Instant coffee only ('as the espresso machine not working today')
- Cold cinnamon rolls and some industrial looking and tasting super sweet cake that seemed like it had spent its life of several days tightly wrapped in plastic
- Savory treats consisted of dry rye crisps and potato crisps (yes the infamous Pirkka-sipsit, I saw the bag in the galley later)
Later they also served tuna sandwiches - again tigthly wrapped in plastic...the type you would have found at petrol station cafeterias 20 years ago.
The 'self-service snack bar' in the galley was the usual AY standard...cheap peanut-raisin mix, some candy, pirkka-sipsit and Fazer chocolates.
I really wish they would spend just that little bit more to raise the bar and make it feel more premium and less like the outcome of 'how can we spend the least and get away with it'. CX, QR and even BA do a much better job on the mid-flight snacks but what AY offers makes even KL look good.
OT: interestingly instead of the usual all HK cabin crew they had a spanish purser and two japanese FAs.
'Finnish traditions signature dishes by executive chef Jaakko Sorsa are served on Finnair's long-haul flights leaving Hong Kong'. This is a bit misleading as there was exactly one appetizer by Mr Sorsa on this flight and none of the main courses.
One of the Mains was 'Chef's Special' but not by Mr Sorsa. I asked the FA what the Chef's Special was and she said it's Chicken with rice. I said it doesn't sound very special to me. The reply came back 'Yes, but it is Chinese style'. Oh well I thought, if that makes it special I rest my case...
For starter I had the Roasted beef which was really nice. Main course Salmon was nothing to write home about.
The mid-flight Finnish coffee service 'Kahvikutsut' was a big letdown. They really should call it students' coffee party. Or what do you think of the following:
- Instant coffee only ('as the espresso machine not working today')
- Cold cinnamon rolls and some industrial looking and tasting super sweet cake that seemed like it had spent its life of several days tightly wrapped in plastic
- Savory treats consisted of dry rye crisps and potato crisps (yes the infamous Pirkka-sipsit, I saw the bag in the galley later)
Later they also served tuna sandwiches - again tigthly wrapped in plastic...the type you would have found at petrol station cafeterias 20 years ago.
The 'self-service snack bar' in the galley was the usual AY standard...cheap peanut-raisin mix, some candy, pirkka-sipsit and Fazer chocolates.
I really wish they would spend just that little bit more to raise the bar and make it feel more premium and less like the outcome of 'how can we spend the least and get away with it'. CX, QR and even BA do a much better job on the mid-flight snacks but what AY offers makes even KL look good.
OT: interestingly instead of the usual all HK cabin crew they had a spanish purser and two japanese FAs.
Dec 9, 2018, 9:39 am
#195
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: AFKL PLT, BA Gold, SK Gold, AY Gold, A3 Silver, LH FTL, IHG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 408
AY 142 BKK-HEL
DEC 18
As this was my first long haul flight on AY as Plat, I was curious to see how the service and catering would be. Some parts were really nice, some felt bit underwhelming.
The purser came to greet me at the beginning of the flight. She was one of those old-school-type pursers with quite weird choice of words “Your personal server (palvelija) will be xxxxx”! Alrighty! My personal server was really nice, younger guy, who was very attentive and remembered all the requests I had.
Double Bilberry cocktail with salmon canapé. The cocktail was surprisingly refreshing, not too sweet at all. I could have easily had second one!
On with the meal. One of the major surprises was that there were no trays used, so the service felt a notch upgraded. Appetizer was shrimp and scallops, tiny portion but tasty.
Main course of salmon with potatoes. Salmon tasted ok, potatoes not so much. Presentation was above the Finnair average, maybe the dill garnish made the trick.
Cheeses. Pretty plain, ice wine was nice.
Ice cream and chocolates. The presentation is cheap, other airlines offer the same kind of tubs in Y.
Kahvikutsut. I like the idea that AY has some distinctively Finnish elements on their service. However, the selection was not properly presented and it seemed that there were no savory items. So no chips. The cinnamon bun was warmed but quite tasteless, the cookie was forgettable but the cake was surprisingly nice. Tea was quite bitter.
Service before landing. I think this was a positive surprise, as the menu stated tuna salad, I was expecting canned tuna. But the tuna was fresh and tasty as were the other parts of the salad.
MId flight snacks seemed to be only some candy and nutmix which was put on offer in front of the seats on row one. I saw the famous Pirkka potato chips bag on the counter in the mid-galley, but was I really supposed to help myself directly from the bag? So as far as I see, there really was no snacks as I don't count the candy and nuts. It seemed that the meal service was on-demand, as my personal servant asked me, when I would like to have my lunch and several people opted to eat later.
DEC 18
As this was my first long haul flight on AY as Plat, I was curious to see how the service and catering would be. Some parts were really nice, some felt bit underwhelming.
The purser came to greet me at the beginning of the flight. She was one of those old-school-type pursers with quite weird choice of words “Your personal server (palvelija) will be xxxxx”! Alrighty! My personal server was really nice, younger guy, who was very attentive and remembered all the requests I had.
Double Bilberry cocktail with salmon canapé. The cocktail was surprisingly refreshing, not too sweet at all. I could have easily had second one!
On with the meal. One of the major surprises was that there were no trays used, so the service felt a notch upgraded. Appetizer was shrimp and scallops, tiny portion but tasty.
Main course of salmon with potatoes. Salmon tasted ok, potatoes not so much. Presentation was above the Finnair average, maybe the dill garnish made the trick.
Cheeses. Pretty plain, ice wine was nice.
Ice cream and chocolates. The presentation is cheap, other airlines offer the same kind of tubs in Y.
Kahvikutsut. I like the idea that AY has some distinctively Finnish elements on their service. However, the selection was not properly presented and it seemed that there were no savory items. So no chips. The cinnamon bun was warmed but quite tasteless, the cookie was forgettable but the cake was surprisingly nice. Tea was quite bitter.
Service before landing. I think this was a positive surprise, as the menu stated tuna salad, I was expecting canned tuna. But the tuna was fresh and tasty as were the other parts of the salad.
MId flight snacks seemed to be only some candy and nutmix which was put on offer in front of the seats on row one. I saw the famous Pirkka potato chips bag on the counter in the mid-galley, but was I really supposed to help myself directly from the bag? So as far as I see, there really was no snacks as I don't count the candy and nuts. It seemed that the meal service was on-demand, as my personal servant asked me, when I would like to have my lunch and several people opted to eat later.
Last edited by DALtoAAL; Dec 9, 2018 at 9:45 am