HEL Premium Lounge [now closed]
Nov 3, 2018, 6:06 am
#121
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,042
Nov 3, 2018, 8:46 am
#122
Join Date: May 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 143
Ok, so my first time in HEL and currently in the premium lounge non-schengen.
My impressions are it's clearly not what it is supposed to be, but still decent enough and compared to the Aspire lounge in Manchester this morning could be much worse....
Beatroot soup is good, decent rye bread and just about prompt enough bar service for spirits. Beer and wine you can pour yourself.
Nice chocolates and sweets.
We aren't missing the school dinner like hot foods we are used to from BA...
The worst thing is the crowding. It's quiet (again compared to the hen do this morning in Manchester). But it's very cramped. Ms GLABA and I have a table four three to ourselves and feel lucky.
My impressions are it's clearly not what it is supposed to be, but still decent enough and compared to the Aspire lounge in Manchester this morning could be much worse....
Beatroot soup is good, decent rye bread and just about prompt enough bar service for spirits. Beer and wine you can pour yourself.
Nice chocolates and sweets.
We aren't missing the school dinner like hot foods we are used to from BA...
The worst thing is the crowding. It's quiet (again compared to the hen do this morning in Manchester). But it's very cramped. Ms GLABA and I have a table four three to ourselves and feel lucky.
Nov 3, 2018, 9:35 am
#123
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 621
Premium lounge is currently closed. The one that is open normal business lounge and yes it is very packed usually.
Nov 4, 2018, 7:21 am
#124
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tallinn / Isle of Man
Programs: Finnair Platinum; Intercontinental Ambassador
Posts: 578
I am sorry, but as I sit (sorry stand) at the moment in the nonschengen lounge I have to be blunt about this... 6 months of THIS!!!??? Sorry. Totally unacceptable. And these wraps?? Any person that has had 2 weeks of vocational training could do better than that. How about opening up a supply of cheeseburgers from next door?
Not a single available seat and about 30 people standing.
Not a single available seat and about 30 people standing.
Nov 4, 2018, 7:44 am
#125
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: VA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 293
I am sorry, but as I sit (sorry stand) at the moment in the nonschengen lounge I have to be blunt about this... 6 months of THIS!!!??? Sorry. Totally unacceptable. And these wraps?? Any person that has had 2 weeks of vocational training could do better than that. How about opening up a supply of cheeseburgers from next door?
Not a single available seat and about 30 people standing.
Not a single available seat and about 30 people standing.
Nov 4, 2018, 9:07 am
#126
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
What is the rationale of a lounge more congested than a regular hallway - and more entitled folks. Free booze only? Please, do get some differentiation both at Schengen and non-Shengen side! Emeralds and international First Class passengers deserve better!!! Sapphires and plain businetic passengers be happy with that zoo!
Nov 4, 2018, 9:44 am
#127
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,685
What is the rationale of a lounge more congested than a regular hallway - and more entitled folks. Free booze only? Please, do get some differentiation both at Schengen and non-Shengen side! Emeralds and international First Class passengers deserve better!!! Sapphires and plain businetic passengers be happy with that zoo!
Nov 4, 2018, 11:41 am
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Nov 5, 2018, 6:59 am
#129
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
Many... via major hubs nearby onboard AA, BA, CX, JL, and QR.
I think OW has done the required mathematics. Regular customers should get the benefits. And could you perhaps elaborate on "easy" BAEC gold and estimate the cost for that?
Finnair main hub should gradually get on par with other OW carriers...
Finnair main hub should gradually get on par with other OW carriers...
Last edited by TTL; Nov 5, 2018 at 7:10 am Reason: Added JL (LHR and CDG to Tokyo)
Nov 5, 2018, 7:27 am
#130
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
I'd like to see who wants to fly HEL-LHR-TYO only to be able to sit in JL F when there's JL J and AY J available HEL-NRT. 
My guess is the number of pax transferring to real F is minimal.
My guess is the number of pax transferring to real F is minimal.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:36 am
#131
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
Each to their own - but there are INTL 1ST PAXs to/from HEL - no denial. AY Long Haul biz used to be the requirement to gain entry to the better AY lounge au lieu de Almost Home nowadays. HND would be a better alternative in TYO anyway.
Last edited by TTL; Nov 5, 2018 at 7:44 am
Nov 5, 2018, 7:41 am
#132
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
Yeah, I know a couple who flies BA F to the Caribbean every year. So there's definitely some.
As far as AY is concerend, I think they should value (1) their own paid J pax, (2) AY Plats flying AY, (3) AY Golds & OWEs flying AY, (4) OWSs flying AY, (5) anyone flying another OW airline either in J (or F) or with status.
As far as AY is concerend, I think they should value (1) their own paid J pax, (2) AY Plats flying AY, (3) AY Golds & OWEs flying AY, (4) OWSs flying AY, (5) anyone flying another OW airline either in J (or F) or with status.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:45 am
#133
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: 14,175
While it is true that F cabin class is getting more and more rare, it is decidedly so that Finnair promotes HEL as an excellent transfer airport and offering a premium lounge is a big part of that package.
When they do so, they should also actually offer a premium experience. Number of passengers with F on ticket has very little to do with this.
When they do so, they should also actually offer a premium experience. Number of passengers with F on ticket has very little to do with this.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:46 am
#134
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
Yeah, I know a couple who flies BA F to the Caribbean every year. So there's definitely some.
As far as AY is concerend, I think they should value (1) their own paid J pax, (2) AY Plats flying AY, (3) AY Golds & OWEs flying AY, (4) OWSs flying AY, (5) anyone flying another OW airline either in J (or F) or with status.
As far as AY is concerend, I think they should value (1) their own paid J pax, (2) AY Plats flying AY, (3) AY Golds & OWEs flying AY, (4) OWSs flying AY, (5) anyone flying another OW airline either in J (or F) or with status.
as has been implied valuewise and ehtically somewhere read in between the lines? Emerald is the ethical and rational distinction.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:55 am
#135
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,752
How is Emerald the distinction, as it, too (the tickets needed to acquire OWE) can be bought either by oneself or someone else? I can't see what difference it makes who pays the bill. Having said that, there actually is one clear distinction; if you fly AY on (discounted) corporate fares, you're among the first ones to be downgraded or denied boarding if irrops occur. I'd say that's quite a disadvantage.