Prologue:
Hello and welcome to another nostaglic TR from 2016. This time I flew on AY on its lucrative HEL-JFK route. At the time I also visited the "Finnair Premium Lounge" @ HEL which has been renovated since my last visit. I guess this makes this TR even more "nostalgic" as a reminder of the way this lounge used to be. ;)I arrived at the desk and presented my boarding pass. The receptionist invited me to go to my left and enter the Premium Lounge. To the right is the Business Lounge.
At the entrance there is a sign pointing to the right for the showers and sauna.
Upon entering the lounge you see the buffet display to your right.
The left side by the entrance there is a long table with some stools opposite the buffet.
Tucked in a corner are the chinaware and utensils. Attendants were friendly and attentive.
Hot dishes display.
Followed by cold dishes.
Desserts.
Beverages.
Dining area.
Interior.
Upper floor - small area with a few more chairs.
My snack.
Moments later I decided to take a shower and entered through a hall that connected the WC's with the shower area.
There was no attendant so I just grabbed one that was available. I found it to be very clean and well stocked with different toiletries. The shower had a sensor that was motion activated.
After I finished I exited the lounge and stopped briefly at the Business lounge to take a look.
Less food than the Premium Lounge.
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Salad bar.
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Time to go to the gate and get acquainted with the Comfort Class product. AY allows their own Platinum members and other Oneworld Emerald members to choose these seats for free.
Boarding was conducted in an orderly manner with designated priorities respected.
At the end of the jetbridge there was a cart with newspapers.
The purser was at the door greeting passengers as they entered.
First impression was positive. The bulkhead seat was very roomy and there was a blanket pillow amenity kit and bottle of water on each seat. Noise cancelling headphones were in the pockets.
Lots of legroom for the bulkhead seats.
View from my window.
FA's were making sure that nothing was placed in front of the bulkhead seats including coats. One of them asked for my coat and stored it in the overhead bin.
Taxiing out.
Once we leveled off the service started. The purser gave me a personal welcome and thanked me for flying AY. She said that I could have anything to drink including a glass of champagne which was nice. At the time I was a Oneworld Emerald.
There was a choice of meals and I had the chicken. It was served with the foil on the main dish. The appetizer was some sort of root vegetable with barley. A piece of Tomme Noire crackers cup of water and packaged cake were also on the tray. I asked for a glass of AY's signature drink - blueberry juice.
Coffee or tea after the meal. I had tea.
Galley was set up with drinks and there was a container with leftover cakes and cheeses.
I did not use much of the IFE. About 1.5 hr before arrival the second meal started and it consisted of a sandwich.
Arriving into JFK.
Taxiing to the gate.
========== Helsinki Arpt (HEL) - ==========
========== Finnair Lounge Non-Schengen ==========
========== Finnair - Airline ==========
========== NewYork JFK (JFK) - ==========
Summary:
The AY Premium Lounge at HEL was a great place to relax before the flight and never felt crowded. Catering was very good offering a nice assortment of choices. Staff was at times soliciting and one of them even recommended me a cucumber drink to try with my meal.The showers were well appointed and the availability of a sauna was an advantage, even though I did not get the chance to try it. For those that are prudish, this facility is a mixed one with access for both sexes. There are changing rooms available in addition to showers.
AY's Econcomy Comfort is a wonderful product, especially the bulkhead seats which offer plenty of legroom to stretch out. The little extras like amenity kit which is slightly different from the J ones, noise cancelling headphones and the bottle of water are appreciated. Catering is the same as the rest of the Y cabin It's pretty generous of AY to offer these seats to other Oneworld Emerald members for free.
19 Comments
ReplyWhat a lovely report. A good way to get to sleep now. Thanks Panda for sharing with us.
Thanks for your comments and I was glad that I was able to help. ;)
ReplyThanks my dear for your delightful report, the lounge looks great and now it has been refurbished since then.
I miss being Emerald. A nice journey my friend.
It would be nice to revisit this lounge to see the improvements. I also miss being Emerald. :P
ReplyWhat I like about your TRs, are the fact that we are able to see many airlines. It was a nice experience. Thanks Panda.
Variety is the spice of life they say. ;) See you.
ReplyMany thanks Adan for this ytr. Seeing all the salmon, GG would have cleared the tray ! A very good lounge with a wonderful trip. All good to me.
No doubt ^^
LOL Smoked salmon brings that reaction on some people :P Nice lounge indeed and very pleasant flight.
ReplyThanks for sharing this TR
The lounge is very comfortable and the decoration is top
The lounge spread is nothing to speak about except the salmon and the herrings
On board a very roomy seat at the first row
The meal tray looks like a AA/UA meal
Gorgeous landing pictures
See you soon
I thought that the lounge could have featured more hot dishes but the cold dishes were excellent.
The meal tray for Y is very average but the service was great.
Landing into JFK on a sunny day is quite a sight.
ReplyHello Adan!
What a very nice product!! The lounge looks great and the onboard product is good too!
Thank you for this nice review.
Take care
It was worth trying for sure. AY is pretty decent overall.
ReplyWoof ! JetSet' !
Another airline cie for a wise Panda !
A beautiful white color for this lounge. Meals and wines are worth tasting.
On board, nice catering, Clearly, you enjoyed this flight !
Thanks for sharing this new ytr, dear friend ! See u soon !
Lounge felt very relaxing with great catering.
Onboard the food can be improved. I'm not a fan of packaged desserts. :P
ReplyThank you for the report of this nice trip
seems to me that Premium lounge is better than the business one
see you soon
Yes the Premium Lounge was better than Business since it is supposed to be for Emerald members of Oneworld. I was glad at the time I was in that category. :P
See you around.
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