Finnair Seat & Meal
Jan 7, 2019, 7:19 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
Just returned from TFS with Seat&Meal both ways.
I have to say that the implementation baffles me. First of all, the food is different that the regular pre-order meals. Not better or more "high end" in any way, just different dishes. This clearly added much complexity during service; at one point the FA remarked that they had 9 different meal types loaded. This seemed to be something the inbound service couldn't really afford–the night flight from TFS gets a ton of pre-ordered meals and clearly the crew was swamped.
Second, there is only one dish per meal type (fish, meat, vegetarian or kids meal) whereas the regular pre-order meals have two options to choose from. This means that you are likely to have the same food both ways, which is boring at best.
Third, it's catered separately in its own catering containers. This was especially silly with the toy that's part of the kids' meal. My son was the only child with a Seat&Meal kids' meal, and so his one small toy travelled in style–a dedicated 40x30x30cm aluminium galley box.
Overall, I really don't understand why this is not just a package price deal for the regular pre-order meal, seat selection and priority security. Why it needs to affect the service delivery at all is beyond me – it must add to the implementation cost tremendously. The only theory I can float is that they plan to differentiate it more down the line: a short haul premium economy product?
I have to say that the implementation baffles me. First of all, the food is different that the regular pre-order meals. Not better or more "high end" in any way, just different dishes. This clearly added much complexity during service; at one point the FA remarked that they had 9 different meal types loaded. This seemed to be something the inbound service couldn't really afford–the night flight from TFS gets a ton of pre-ordered meals and clearly the crew was swamped.
Second, there is only one dish per meal type (fish, meat, vegetarian or kids meal) whereas the regular pre-order meals have two options to choose from. This means that you are likely to have the same food both ways, which is boring at best.
Third, it's catered separately in its own catering containers. This was especially silly with the toy that's part of the kids' meal. My son was the only child with a Seat&Meal kids' meal, and so his one small toy travelled in style–a dedicated 40x30x30cm aluminium galley box.
Overall, I really don't understand why this is not just a package price deal for the regular pre-order meal, seat selection and priority security. Why it needs to affect the service delivery at all is beyond me – it must add to the implementation cost tremendously. The only theory I can float is that they plan to differentiate it more down the line: a short haul premium economy product?
I wonder too about that cost of differentiation vs service scalability, suspect someone/team in charge is not the sharpest needle in the stack
Jan 29, 2019, 12:36 pm
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AY+ Platinum / FlyingBlue Gold
Posts: 835
I am quite confused now...
Got about 6 returns AMS-HEL scheduled for the next few months and all bookings show a Seat & Meal price of 11K points, except for one booking where it's 5.5K points for a HEL-AMS segment.
It seems they are running tests with those.... interesting!
Got about 6 returns AMS-HEL scheduled for the next few months and all bookings show a Seat & Meal price of 11K points, except for one booking where it's 5.5K points for a HEL-AMS segment.
It seems they are running tests with those.... interesting!
Jan 29, 2019, 1:43 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
I am quite confused now...
Got about 6 returns AMS-HEL scheduled for the next few months and all bookings show a Seat & Meal price of 11K points, except for one booking where it's 5.5K points for a HEL-AMS segment.
It seems they are running tests with those.... interesting!
Got about 6 returns AMS-HEL scheduled for the next few months and all bookings show a Seat & Meal price of 11K points, except for one booking where it's 5.5K points for a HEL-AMS segment.
It seems they are running tests with those.... interesting!
Win-win-win (customer - AY - tier members)...
Jan 30, 2019, 1:10 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Germany, Bavaria
Programs: AY+ Plat, SAS Gold (butt in seat)
Posts: 350
Latest, my coming FRA-HEL flight still showed a price of 5.500 (instead11k) Points or 35€. Couldn't secure with points online, so called CS. They said, still a bug (as from OP reported) in system. 
Jan 30, 2019, 12:46 pm
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AY+ Platinum / FlyingBlue Gold
Posts: 835
Feb 3, 2019, 3:31 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AY Plat Lumo+LTG, FI Gold, DL Silver, BA, SK, AX Plat, Priority Pass, Marriott Ambassador & others
Posts: 634
Feb 17, 2019, 4:26 am
#53
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), Hertz PC, Sixt Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 275
I´m "forced" to try the Seat&Meal as my upgrade is still on waitlist and I want to ensure a warm meal on board;
AY offers seat&meal for two for 50 € which is a decent price for a hot meal and a wine.
AY offers seat&meal for two for 50 € which is a decent price for a hot meal and a wine.
Feb 17, 2019, 4:30 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo
Posts: 1,519
Feb 17, 2019, 4:31 am
#55
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), SK G(*G), BW Diamond
Posts: 810
But a win-win for AY as such, if Y loads are high and freeing up F-space doesn't seem valid -> additional revenue from status pax.
If Y-loads are low, clearing upgrade and getting rid of the points given to you.
Apr 26, 2019, 5:23 am
#57
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
On my recent trip to Rome bookers of Seat and meal were served their meal around 8:20 am soon after take off. There is no breakfast option.
Aug 15, 2019, 7:38 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: JOE
Programs: AY+ Silver
Posts: 45
Tried the Seat&Meal yesterday on HEL-ZRH.
The food was decent, the salmon starter was better than the beef which was chewy but didn't receive (and forgot to ask for) any wine with it.
As discussed already, not worth the price or points.
The promise
As served
The reality
The food was decent, the salmon starter was better than the beef which was chewy but didn't receive (and forgot to ask for) any wine with it.
As discussed already, not worth the price or points.
The promise
As served
The reality