Experiences of AY flights during COVID-19
Dec 22, 2021, 6:00 am
#2026
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,539
So errm, what are the new restrictions exactly? YLE says test is now required within 48 hours of departure from Schengen member country, but... it does not say what kind of test nor how this applies to nationals and residents who are principally allowed to enter.
I suppose airport arrival testing will be pretty chaotic and it is preferable to get tested before departure, if at all possible, but then that gets back to the first question.
FINENTRY keeps saying that I don't need to be tested at all, evidently not up to date.
I suppose airport arrival testing will be pretty chaotic and it is preferable to get tested before departure, if at all possible, but then that gets back to the first question.
FINENTRY keeps saying that I don't need to be tested at all, evidently not up to date.
As this will certainly be a discussion of interest for travelers (especially for those who are not exempt from testing), may I suggest to continue the discussion here?
Traveling to Finland - Page 19 - FlyerTalk Forums
This way people will likely find the information more quickly.
Dec 22, 2021, 9:45 am
#2027
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WC1
Programs: BAEC Gold, SK *G, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 660
As recommended in the höpö-höpö thread, I thought I'd post to say that despite reports to the contrary, priority security at HEL has not been closing at 5 pm but has been open at least until 7.30 pm (last Friday) and today at around 5.30 pm. The only thing that annoyed me today was that all priority desks except for one emerald desk were closed, leading to queues...
Dec 22, 2021, 11:44 am
#2028
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 8,006
Today I had the best norra flight ever 
purser was absolutely fantastic, no plat talk but other then that just very attentive service!
👍👍
purser was absolutely fantastic, no plat talk but other then that just very attentive service!👍👍
Dec 22, 2021, 1:21 pm
#2029
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,685
As recommended in the höpö-höpö thread, I thought I'd post to say that despite reports to the contrary, priority security at HEL has not been closing at 5 pm but has been open at least until 7.30 pm (last Friday) and today at around 5.30 pm. The only thing that annoyed me today was that all priority desks except for one emerald desk were closed, leading to queues...
Dec 22, 2021, 1:46 pm
#2030
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,802
I'll be flying tomorrow at 5 pm. I'd ask my friend to drive me to T1, but if prio security is indeed open, I might as well try the new entrance at T2. 
Let's hope they're open tomorrow, too.
Let's hope they're open tomorrow, too.
Dec 23, 2021, 5:58 am
#2032
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, LH Sen, EK & VS Gold, Amex Cent
Posts: 1,726
I was genuinely surprised by my experiences onboard and at HEL with Finnair recently. It's as though staff and crew have had a totally different training on customer services - very positive, from crew to lounge staff.
LHR however was a disaster zone. As are Finnair's web, iOS apps, call lines and Chat which are a total waste of time.
LHR however was a disaster zone. As are Finnair's web, iOS apps, call lines and Chat which are a total waste of time.
Dec 23, 2021, 7:23 am
#2033
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,802
Prio security was open at T2 today at 4 pm.
Temporary passport control booths erected at gate 22. There are five booths, and I find it hard to believe that all will be in use at the same time. I' m returning home on 04JAN during the afternoon rush hour. Let's see how long the wait is, especially if they insist on machine reading everyone's docs. A quick manual check wouldn't be too bad, but...
Temporary passport control booths erected at gate 22. There are five booths, and I find it hard to believe that all will be in use at the same time. I' m returning home on 04JAN during the afternoon rush hour. Let's see how long the wait is, especially if they insist on machine reading everyone's docs. A quick manual check wouldn't be too bad, but...
Dec 23, 2021, 8:09 am
#2034
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,802
AY now has an automated OLCI process to “check” Covid docs. This only applies to a handful of countries, Spain being one of them. The system just asked if I have the docs, and when I chose “yes”, it issued a BP. Nothing was checked at the gate. Interesting take, I’d say.
Dec 23, 2021, 8:26 am
#2035
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AY+, SK EB
Posts: 2,978
AY now has an automated OLCI process to “check” Covid docs. This only applies to a handful of countries, Spain being one of them. The system just asked if I have the docs, and when I chose “yes”, it issued a BP. Nothing was checked at the gate. Interesting take, I’d say.
Dec 23, 2021, 8:32 am
#2036
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,802
I suppose it’s understandable because you can even fill in the form after arrival if need be. But what about the covidpass?
If HEL once had a good reputation, I wonder how much is left of it at the moment. We boarded on time, boarding was completed on time, and then we waited 35 min for the baggage handlers to do their job. With deicing, my guess is we will arrive 45 min late, for no particular reason.
If HEL once had a good reputation, I wonder how much is left of it at the moment. We boarded on time, boarding was completed on time, and then we waited 35 min for the baggage handlers to do their job. With deicing, my guess is we will arrive 45 min late, for no particular reason.
Dec 23, 2021, 9:58 am
#2037
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,621
I suppose it’s understandable because you can even fill in the form after arrival if need be. But what about the covidpass?
If HEL once had a good reputation, I wonder how much is left of it at the moment. We boarded on time, boarding was completed on time, and then we waited 35 min for the baggage handlers to do their job. With deicing, my guess is we will arrive 45 min late, for no particular reason.
If HEL once had a good reputation, I wonder how much is left of it at the moment. We boarded on time, boarding was completed on time, and then we waited 35 min for the baggage handlers to do their job. With deicing, my guess is we will arrive 45 min late, for no particular reason.
AY has gone down, so is HEL as well. Just bad
Dec 23, 2021, 11:32 am
#2038
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,796
AY now has an automated OLCI process to “check” Covid docs. This only applies to a handful of countries, Spain being one of them. The system just asked if I have the docs, and when I chose “yes”, it issued a BP. Nothing was checked at the gate. Interesting take, I’d say.
Dec 23, 2021, 11:38 am
#2039
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AY+ Platinum / FlyingBlue Gold
Posts: 839
Hahahaha my god. How is it possible for a reputable airline to have such horrible IT. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong...
Dec 23, 2021, 1:00 pm
#2040
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,158
The ”solution” is a off-shelf add-on by Amadeus, used by many airlines, Lufthansa at least. I take they bought it right away when it was available, but need to get someone in charge of approving the uploaded documents before taking this tool properly into use.