Finnair AirLounge Business Class Review: Nordic Design Meets a Completely Different Kind of Seat
Finnair’s AirLounge Business Class is one of those products that make you pause and think, “Wait… the seat doesn’t recline?”
That’s right. Finnair took one of the most fundamental concepts in premium travel – the reclining Business Class seat – and discarded it.
Instead, the airline developed a fixed, nest-like shell that will feel much more like your personal lounge chair or a compact sofa. You may sit upright, curl up, stretch out, or turn the space into a very wide flat bed if you wish to sleep.
It sounds a bit unorthodox and indeed is. However, that’s precisely what makes Finnair’s AirLounge one of the most intriguing Business Class products in Europe.
Add stylish lounges in Helsinki, Nordic cuisine, Marimekko details and a tranquil Scandinavian ambiance, and you have a premium experience which will feel quite distinct from the regular Business Class format.
The Journey Starts in Helsinki
Finnair’s home base at Helsinki Airport is really a key element of your experience.
The airport itself will seem spotless, highly effective and incredibly easy to get around, which actually sets you up for success right before an extended flight. Business class passengers get priority check-in, fast-track security at those airports where it’s available, priority boarding and lounge access.
The Schengen Lounge close to gate 21 will be bright and ultra-modern, with huge windows, silent work pods, comfortable seating and a really fresh buffet. It’ll really feel very Nordic – quite simple, very functional and rather peaceful.
For those going on very long-haul trips, the even more crucial area is the non-Schengen business lounge close to gate 52.
This lounge will offer you both hot and cold Nordic-inspired food items, self-serve beverages, shower suites, quiet areas and loads of room to either be productive or simply take it easy. The showers will be equipped with natural Finnish SEES products – another wonderful local touch.
If you hold Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo or oneworld Emerald status, then you could get into the Platinum Wing. This is really where things become so much more exclusive.
There’ll be a fully-staffed cocktail bar, quieter dining areas and also one particular feature that just feels perfectly Finnish: an actual sauna.
Indeed, you may sit down in a sauna right before boarding your flight.
That on its own really sets the lounge experience apart from virtually all other airports.
The AirLounge Seat Is Nothing Like a Normal Business Class Seat
Now for the part everyone’s really interested in. Collins Aerospace’s AirLounge seat doesn’t mechanically recline – not at all.
Instead, you’re seated within a very deep, permanently fixed shell with very high sides, creating an intimate, almost cocoon-like area. Imagine this being more akin to a built-in lounge chair rather than just another aircraft seat.
Initially, it will take some getting used to.
You won’t be able to press a button and recline the seat easily. Rather, you’ll adjust your own position right inside the shell itself. You could be sitting upright with cushions supporting you, stretching out your legs, curling up at an angle, or even resting against the corner – similar to when lounging on your sofa back home.
That real freedom is really what it’s all about.
When it’s time for bed, you simply slide out an infill panel bridging the space between the seat and the footrest. This forms a completely flat sleeping surface measuring about 78 inches long and approximately 21 to 22 inches wide.
Your bed will really feel quite roomy due to having far fewer moving parts beneath you.
Bulkhead seats are extra popular since they feature much wider, more exposed footwells. Standard seats are going to have more enclosed foot lockers that might feel a bit more cramped for travelers who are taller.
Storage is also pretty functional.
There’s a very deep side pocket for a laptop, a slightly smaller upper-body storage compartment, wireless smartphone charging capabilities, and both USB-A and USB-C ports available.
The overall design has an extremely peaceful and very tidy appearance, one that aligns perfectly with Finnair’s Scandinavian identity.
Is the Non-Reclining Seat Comfortable?
This is the major question. And the answer really will depend on how you want to sit.
If you love continually readjusting the seat angle, then the AirLounge may take a bit of getting used to.
But if you find yourself curling up, stretching out to one side or moving about during an extended flight, it could actually feel far more natural than a conventional recliner chair.
The shell provides enough room so that you can develop your own position – rather than being forced into one specific one.
For sleeping purposes, the arrangement works really well indeed. When the bed insert is securely in place, the sleeping surface itself becomes very wide, flat and extremely stable.
It has more the feel of a padded bench than a complicated mechanical chair seat.
That level of simplicity is truly part of what makes the design interesting.
Nordic Dining at 35,000 Feet
Finnair’s food follows the same philosophy as the cabin itself – simple, seasonal and distinctly Nordic.
Meals are served on signature Iittala tableware with Marimekko napkins – which instantly gives your dining experience that unmistakably Finnish flavor.
The menu frequently features fresh ingredients, seasonal vegetables, fish, meats, and sauces all inspired by Scandinavian cuisine itself.
You may see salmon, beef, root vegetables, rye bread, or lighter dishes made with fresh herbs and very clean flavors.
The meal service itself is streamlined more than overly formal – which works out perfectly on those long-haul flights.
Drinks are quite another strong point of Finnair’s.
They serve their world-famous blueberry juice – which has become nearly a trademark of the airline itself – right alongside wines, spirits, beer and Joseph Perrier champagne.
Overall, the dining experience isn’t trying out any grand theatrics itself.
Rather, it is both elegant and relaxed – and very Finnish indeed.
Entertainment Is Solid, Even If It Is Not the Main Attraction
Each AirLounge seat has an 18-inch HD touchscreen display.
You can operate it yourself or use the portable remote control. The system includes films, television programs, music, flight maps, and external aircraft cameras.
There are over 100 films and about 50 television series available. So there’s plenty to see during a long journey. Noise-canceling headsets are supplied. And business class travelers normally receive an hour’s worth of free Wi-Fi while top-tier elite members may have unlimited access.
The entertainment system itself performs well enough but isn’t the main attraction of the show.
It’s the design of the seats, the ambiance of the cabin, and the quality of your night’s sleep that will really stay with you when flying with Finnair.
Marimekko Amenities Add a Finnish Touch
Finnair’s amenity kits have been developed in collaboration with the renowned Finnish design house Marimekko.
The pouches themselves display classic Marimekko patterns – very recognizable at first glance.
Inside you’ll usually find an eye mask, earplugs, and a toothbrush with a bio-plastic handle.
Skincare products like lip balm and moisturizer will be found in the lavatories or provided separately, depending on your route.
The kit itself is quite simple, but the design really gives it character.
This theme carries over into the entire cabin through use of Marimekko textiles, Iittala tableware, and all sorts of smaller details which create the impression of being part of a genuine Finnish experience – rather than a generic one.
The Bottom Line
Finnair’s AirLounge isn’t going to be every person’s cup of tea. If you are looking at dozens of seat settings and a traditional reclining chair, then this product might seem a bit off-beat.
However, that’s precisely what will make it interesting.
The fixed-shell design offers you an incredibly broad and very private area in which to sit, curl up, get some work done, or sleep however you please. Your flat bed will be comfy. The cabin itself is rather peaceful. And the Nordic style really sets the scene from beginning to end.
Add exceptional Helsinki lounges, seasonal dining choices, Marimekko amenities and that unique Scandinavian service. Finnair will present a Business Class experience that really stands out from the crowd.
And if you’d like to book it but don’t want to pay the full listed price, Simply Business Class (SBC) might just be able to point you towards premium seats at some quite substantial savings – sometimes up to 50 % – all dependent upon your route and availability.
