After missing my connection from Helsinki (HEL) to Los Angeles (LAX), I was rebooked home via New York (JFK). That gave me a chance to experience Finnair’s transatlantic A330 product instead of the A350.
Finnair A330 Business Class HEL-JFK – My First Impressions
We boarded about 20 minutes before departure, but the flight was not full and we still pushed back on time. If I can generalize, I love how efficient boarding is in Nordic countries…almost like Japan!
Even though the seat was similar, the A330 business class cabin seemed tighter than the A350 I just stepped off (which of course makes sense when you consider the A350 fuselage is wider). I did not bring my tape measure, but the “couch” seat felt noticeably narrower.
After a couple more flights with this seat, I rate it as below average. It’s quite comfortable when laying down, but I don’t find it particularly comfortable when sitting up…the two pillows are absolutely necessary.
And the wireless charging is so weak it’s essentially worthless…
Speaking of worthless, my Finnish seatmate decided to put his feet up…it’s not only Americans who are rude…
(While I was tempted to douse his feet with water, I just put my elbow on his foot and he got the message)
I had a biting headache (I guess from the delay in Amsterdam and stress on the ground in Helsinki) and asked a flight attendant if she had an aspirin or ibuprofen…she did and she mothered me during the flight, which was very nice.
Dinner was served after takeoff: I ordered rainbow trout. Unfortunately, the fish was very salty…it tasted like it had been smoked (preserved) and then warmed up. While nicely presented, this dish was not a winner.
Dessert (brownie with salted caramel and nuts served with raspberry sauce) was quite good, though.
I tried to rest and managed to sleep for a few hours…there were individual air vents and the bedding is excellent.
I’m still having a lot of trouble sleeping on airplanes lately.
When I woke up, thankfully my headache was gone…the aspirin had worked!
The sun had also “risen” (though it was still dusk) as we moved further south toward New York.
90 minutes before landing a second meal was served: pasta. There was no choice. It was better than the first meal!
I also had a very good cappuccino…and you know how tough I am to please when it comes to coffee.
We lost time enroute to New York, perhaps due to strong headwinds, and landed about 30 minutes late at JFK, which gave me less than an hour to make my connection to Los Angeles.
I’d call this flight “solid.” I don’t think it’s fair to say that Finnair offers an above-average product, but the bedding was excellent, the service equally excellent, and the food okay.
I’ll have more to say about the seat, lavatories, amenities, IFE, and Wi-Fi in my full review of this flight.
Sucks that you mis-connected. Luckily, it was just you and your family wasn’t in tow. Do you think you still would have made the JFK flight with family in tow?
There were 4+ seats on the HEL-JFK flight, but I got the last J seat on JFK-LAX and I would not have been willing to do that in economy class.
Would you have just taken the next direct HEL-LAX flight with the family then and had a mini-vacay out of it? Seems like the next logical option instead of searching for 4 seats.
Probably, unless my wife had to be at work.
Will you claim €600 EC261/2004 delay comp for arriving in LA more than 6 hours after the originally planned timed (as in you had been able to make the HEL-LAX nonstop instead of rooting via JFK)?
I absolutely will. I arrived 7,5 hours later than the nonstop.
@Matthew: What specifically about the boarding process in HEL or Japan is better?
It’s so efficient. People are quick. They don’t lug on the kitchen sink onboard. They quickly find their seats and step into them, so as not to block the aisle. They don’t line up to board, only to slow everyone else down. It’s a generalization, but not an unreasonable one.
An at-level footrest wasn’t enough for the guy. Sheesh.
Did they serve the main meal as a “one tray” service?
I.e., everything on the tray, starter,main course and dessert?
They did on my HEL-BKK flight.
It was like going back to the “dark ages” with regards to business class meal service.
Consequently my main.course was cold!
Asked them to reheat it.
It returned still cold!
Astounded that an experienced crew still don’t know how to serve hot food.
Starter, salad, and main served on one-tray.
No – The dessert and cheese plate are not on the tray, as you show them in another picture.
Your reviews are always fair, and balance. Your overall rating of ‘solid’ seems entirely appropriate based on what you’ve reported: some elements of the product and service were exceptional, some disappointing. Some of your compatriots in this space would’ve been scathing. You have the ability to remain a gentleman when confronted with a problem, which is likely why you’re accommodated in a more satisfactory fashion. I do wonder if your too salty main course was actually salmon, though. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Jim. I thought it was salmon too…but it definitely tasted like trout. Very odd dish.