Helsinki lounge problems (AY refurbishment works)
Oct 11, 2018, 8:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR
Programs: BA OW Silver, Aegean *A Gold, Intercon Ambassador Gold, EY Gold
Posts: 249
Helsinki lounge problems (AY refurbishment works)
I am travelling Qatar business class HEL to NRT. However, I got refused entry to the Finnair lounge at gate 50 because it is too full as there is a refurb! I was advised by the lounge dragons that I should have gone to the Aspire lounge in the Schengen area and were surprised I hadn't been told this by the Qatar check in staff. I can't go to the Schengen zone now. What made it more annoying is JAL passengers were being given €40 compensation vouchers in front of me but I wasn't eligible.
A first world problem of course - but it is annoying - beware anyone travelling from Helsinki!
A first world problem of course - but it is annoying - beware anyone travelling from Helsinki!
Oct 13, 2018, 1:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo, SK Gold
Posts: 954
I'm on QR 308 tonight from HEL to DOH. At check-in the agent specifically told me that on the evening flight the Finnair non-Schengen lounge is available but on other flights "our own lounge must be used" (meaning the Aspire lounge, which is operated by Swissport, who also handles the ground services for QR in HEL). I'm writing this from the half-empty Finnair lounge.
Oct 13, 2018, 10:07 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: qr
Posts: 262
Was there two nights ago saw the finnair lounge as. Arrived ex London and it was packed and turning people away. When I eventually checkout ed in with qr in the evening asked which lounge and they were a bit confused at which ne I should use. Told me finnair I asked if there was space and they called and told me there was. Turned up yes lounge was half empty but really disappointing as was under rennervation - little good choice and plastic plates and cups only available and tables were filthy . Not QR fault but perhaps my expectations were too high.
Dec 17, 2018, 5:47 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,750
Same continues as update. Turned away from Finnair lounge in non area to Aspire which is quite busy .not great choice but at least it is clean .
Dec 17, 2018, 9:54 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,531
I hope it won't last too long. With regards to the vouchers, I suspect it is JL paying for it and not AY, and QR are undoubtedly too stingy to do the same...
Dec 17, 2018, 1:14 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: qr
Posts: 262
its now 2 months since I travelled through HEL and encountered this issue with the lounges seems slow progress would have thought the AY lounge would have been finished by now- wonder if they still serving food on paper plates and drinks in plastic cups ?
Dec 18, 2018, 1:29 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
In contrast QR pax still have access to a lounge. They just need to know it is the Aspire lounge and not the AY one.
Dec 21, 2018, 10:32 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tallinn
Posts: 15
Interesting...
I am writing this post from the empty lounge at HEL. Waiting to board QR304 and from check-in i was guided to Finnair lounge.
Lounge is using paper and plastic dishes, food selection limited, but tasty (at least the breakfast bite I had).
Can’t wait for the new Premium Lounge to open up
Lounge is using paper and plastic dishes, food selection limited, but tasty (at least the breakfast bite I had).
Can’t wait for the new Premium Lounge to open up