AY Platinum Wing Lounge at HEL in non-Schengen area (re-opened 1 June 22)
Jun 16, 2019, 2:12 pm
#152
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,694
I don't really know what to think. Today started off with a megaslow security queue at T2 because the priority line had closed at 9 pm. The main line was full of people who had never seen an airplane before, so each and every item of make up had to be removed separately etc.
And the lounge. It turns out that à la carte is only available five hours a day, from noon until 5 pm. The buffet was not that different from the previous Premium Lounge buffet. The bar looked nice, but with only two bartenders, it was a slow affair.
Before the midnight wave, the lounge is by no means crowded, but it's not empty either, and most seats in the seating area behind the buffet are in groups of four. Not ideal for someone travelling alone.
So, I'm not overwhelmed. But this is definitely better than the terrible school cafeteria we had to endure for so long.
And the lounge. It turns out that à la carte is only available five hours a day, from noon until 5 pm. The buffet was not that different from the previous Premium Lounge buffet. The bar looked nice, but with only two bartenders, it was a slow affair.
Before the midnight wave, the lounge is by no means crowded, but it's not empty either, and most seats in the seating area behind the buffet are in groups of four. Not ideal for someone travelling alone.
So, I'm not overwhelmed. But this is definitely better than the terrible school cafeteria we had to endure for so long.
Jun 17, 2019, 1:53 am
#154
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
Programs: BA GGL, AS, Hertz Cirque Présidentielle
Posts: 1,445
Jun 17, 2019, 2:15 am
#155
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
From another perspective, AY should attempt to compare with the best.
Jun 17, 2019, 2:59 am
#156
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
Programs: BA GGL, AS, Hertz Cirque Présidentielle
Posts: 1,445
I believe you would agree that even MH F lounge at KUL would rank behind CX F at LHR. Despite being nicely designed, outcomes from the kitchen usually quite lack some quality (yet I still like my visits there). However, it's still much better than what they present on board. AY's in-flight meals beat MH safely, and I don't think PW will struggle at least equaling the MH's quality. The only downside remains the time restriction.
From another perspective, AY should attempt to compare with the best.
From another perspective, AY should attempt to compare with the best.
The bar looks promising, although doesn't seem to beat the gin selections of QF. However I do like the Finnish options as a local flavour.As for me talking about MH, I didn't compare in-flight meals. Just mentioned the lounge at LHR T4 on a sidenote, when comparing OW lounges in Europe.
Jun 17, 2019, 11:12 am
#157
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,068
The service hours were always restricted till 00:00AM and then they send you to the "Business Lounge", I guess they will keep the Lounge open till the last flight of the "day" is ready to board - as they did before.
Jun 17, 2019, 11:13 am
#158
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
Programs: BA GGL, AS, Hertz Cirque Présidentielle
Posts: 1,445
Jun 17, 2019, 11:17 am
#159
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,068
Yeah that is not exactly great, as I said before specially if leaving late decent dinning in the lounge would be a real addition to the longhaul service, Since sometimes they need up to it takes really long till the service on board starts.
Jun 17, 2019, 11:52 am
#160
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Unio Europaea
Programs: BA GGL, AS, Hertz Cirque Présidentielle
Posts: 1,445
Jun 17, 2019, 1:57 pm
#161
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,931
It's interesting that AY has 2–3 longhauls, several Russian flights and a handful of shorthauls departing at midnight, yet they don't see the need for Priority Security and full lounge service. The ghetto wave?
When the Premium Lounge opened, they had plated hot dishes that could be ordered at the bar, but you never knew when they were ready and you were supposed to either wait somewhere or get up from your table to go and pick them up (not knowing when, though). A couple of times, I suggested beepers (like Burger King or CX noodle bar). Then they changed the system and plated the dishes while you waited, so it was basically a non-self-service buffet.
Now, with the Platinum Wing, it sounds like they're trying plated hot dishes with table service, so basically it's the same concept as originally but they bring the plate to you, which of course is an improvement.
I wonder, though, whether this hybrid system (appetizer/salad buffet, dessert buffet, à la carte main course) is worth it. Somehow I feel that either a full à la carte service, CX F style, or a three course buffet service, would be more efficient.
When the Premium Lounge opened, they had plated hot dishes that could be ordered at the bar, but you never knew when they were ready and you were supposed to either wait somewhere or get up from your table to go and pick them up (not knowing when, though). A couple of times, I suggested beepers (like Burger King or CX noodle bar). Then they changed the system and plated the dishes while you waited, so it was basically a non-self-service buffet.
Now, with the Platinum Wing, it sounds like they're trying plated hot dishes with table service, so basically it's the same concept as originally but they bring the plate to you, which of course is an improvement.
I wonder, though, whether this hybrid system (appetizer/salad buffet, dessert buffet, à la carte main course) is worth it. Somehow I feel that either a full à la carte service, CX F style, or a three course buffet service, would be more efficient.
Jun 18, 2019, 12:14 am
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,203
I'd guess a large number of RUS and Asia destination pax are in transit, thus no need to pass security anyway.
Lounge is a different issue, though,
Jun 18, 2019, 3:58 am
#164
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,931
Jun 18, 2019, 4:17 am
#165
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,068