A lie-flat business class suite on an Airbus A321 might sound quite unusual. Air Canada is wagering that it will be perfectly sensible.

On June 9, 2026, the airline’s new A321XLR officially entered regular service. It brought its Signature Class experience to a single-aisle aircraft for the first time. These jets are built for all sorts of trips, from coast-to-coast journeys to much longer transatlantic flights out of Montreal and Toronto.

And this isn’t just your standard domestic recliner dressed up for a longer journey either. This is a genuinely serious business class product.

The Airport Experience: Signature Service Starts on the Ground

Flying Signature Class makes the premium experience start even earlier – before boarding.

Passengers get priority check-in, priority security if available, priority boarding, and entry to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges or those of our eligible partners.

Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge network has been enhancing its food and drink offerings over the past couple of years. There are now better menus and wine selections, giving the pre-flight experience itself a distinctly more premium feel.

The true prize, however, is Air Canada’s Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson Airport. Eligible international Signature Class passengers will have access to an upgraded lounge experience really centered around à la carte restaurant dining – rather than the usual airport self-service buffet.

It is set up to be quieter and more exclusive – just right for having a decent meal before getting on board. Especially if you’re thinking of sleeping very soon after take-off.

Access rules depend on your ticket and travel plans, though. So don’t just assume every A321XLR Business Class flight comes with Signature Suite access. It’s worth checking out the requirements for your particular route.

Depending on the airport and your individual travel plans, Signature Class passengers might also receive some extra concierge assistance.

The New Aurora Suite Makes Narrowbody Business Class Interesting

Really, the major change is waiting on board.

Air Canada opted for a customized version of the Collins Aerospace Aurora suite. The one that was developed in collaboration with design studio Acumen.

There are only 14 Business Class seats arranged over seven rows in a 1-1 configuration. That’s why every passenger gets a window and has direct aisle access. It is something you don’t very often come across on a narrow-body plane.

The seats themselves are angled, so your feet are pointing slightly towards the aisle instead of being directly aimed at the window. This allows Air Canada to get a fully flat bed into the quite narrow A321XLR cabin without generating the closely packed feel of some older Business Class set-ups.

Privacy is decent, though not among the best in the industry.

There are no sliding doors on the A321XLR itself. Rather, passengers have movable privacy panels and the suite partitions aren’t all that high. You’ll feel separated from your neighbor, but you won’t get the almost cocoon-like level of seclusion that you find in some of the newest international Business Class suites.

Air Canada is holding out for that type of experience for its upcoming 787-10. The larger aircraft will feature door-fitted Signature Plus suites with much higher walls.

However, the A321XLR seat does get the core things right.

There’s wireless phone charging, a designated area for laptops, additional spaces for your personal belongings, a multi-function table, extremely user-friendly seat controls, and a “Do Not Disturb” function.

There’s also a side table that really comes into its own during meal service. Your crew members can put your drink, menu, or amenity kit there without having to stretch over you continuously.

Another lovely little touch is that Business Class has its own lavatory at the front of the aircraft.

Dining Brings the Full Signature Class Experience

Air Canada hasn’t developed a completely different A321XLR menu, so passengers should expect the wider Signature Class approach to dining.

That means multi-course meals with menus inspired by flavors all over the world and the talents of Canadian cuisine.

Depending on the route and time of year, dishes may include choices such as chicken thigh with mandi rice and bzar sauce or roasted salmon served with teriyaki and Shandong noodles. Air Canada has also teamed up with well-known Canadian chefs, including David Hawksworth.

Wine remains a key element of the whole experience, with selections taken care of by award-winning sommelier Véronique Rivest.

One really useful feature is meal pre-ordering.

Eligible Signature Class passengers will be able to select their meal before departure, usually from 30 days to 72 hours before the flight. This really does take away that dreaded moment when the crew gets to your row and says that your first choice isn’t available.

The suite itself has also been designed around the meal service. The main entertainment screen can pull back when you’re eating, whilst the side table leaves room for the crew to deliver smaller things without disturbing what you’re doing.

It’s just a small design decision, but on a long flight these details really make the cabin feel far more refined.

That 19-Inch OLED Screen Is a Major Upgrade

Entertainment is a spot where the all-new A321XLR really feels part of the next generation. Every Signature Class suite comes equipped with a 19-inch 4K OLED display.

For context, that’s an enormous screen for a narrowbody aircraft. The OLED technology itself gives you great contrast and even deeper blacks – so films will look much better than they ever will on the washed-out displays still found in lots of older Business Class seats.

The main screen is retractable too – helping make more room if you’re eating or just want it completely out of sight.

There’s also a smaller secondary display that stays within your view even when you’re lying down. It can display flight information and your seat controls – all without having to sit up and grab the main screen itself.

Bluetooth connectivity lets you pair your very own wireless headphones, while every suite does include both AC and USB-C power outlets.

Then there’s Wi-Fi. Air Canada offers complimentary connectivity for Aeroplan members through their Bell-sponsored Wi-Fi program.

Amenities Designed for Actual Sleep

On a transatlantic flight, the quality of your bed will matter much more than yet another fancy bottle of moisturizer.

Air Canada appears to grasp this fact.

Signature Class passengers get a luxurious duvet and mattress pad. So as to transform their flatbed seat into a far more comfortable sleeping surface.

The latest amenity kits come in reusable tote-style bags and contain the very practical essentials – an eye mask, socks, dental kit, and 3M earplugs – alongside some distinctly Canadian features.

Something worth pointing out here is that previous Air Canada amenity kits have featured brands like Acqua di Parma, but travelers really shouldn’t assume these products will be part of the A321XLR’s kit. The airline’s amenity offering continues to evolve as the new cabin standard starts to be introduced.

Overall, the approach does feel decidedly practical over lavish: give your passengers the things they’ll actually need themselves on a lengthy overnight flight.

The Bottom Line

Air Canada’s A321XLR Signature Class demonstrates that flying a narrow-body aircraft across the Atlantic will no longer have to come at the cost of business class comfort.

Of course, there are some trade-offs. The lack of a door really does mean your privacy will fall short of the latest suite-style cabins. And passengers seeking the most luxurious Air Canada experience might want to hold out for the bigger 787-10 and its Signature Plus product.

But the A321XLR isn’t attempting to be a mini first class cabin itself. It is designed to give you a genuinely long-haul business class experience  – and on that point, it definitely succeeds.

If you’re looking to experience Air Canada Signature Class without having to pay the full listed price, simply Business Class (SBC) should be able to get you those premium seats at savings of as much as 50%, depending on route and availability.

Brussels Airlines Business Class doesn’t attempt to outdo those enormous suites and closing doors of some Middle Eastern and Asian airlines. Instead, it really plays to its strengths.

Expect a fully flat bed, an elegant cabin, truly excellent food, plenty of Belgian beers and chocolates – and a service style that feels rather easy-going rather than very formal indeed. Even Michelin-starred Belgian chefs help create the menus here.

The main complication is the seat itself. Brussels Airlines has different Airbus A330 configurations, so your actual Business Class experience may differ quite a bit based on the plane.

Still, if good food and a comfortable bed matter more to you than the latest high-tech suite, Brussels Airlines has plenty in its favor.

Airport Experience: Start with The Loft

If your trip begins in Brussels, consider starting at The Loft – it’s Brussels Airlines’ flagship lounge.

This space has a uniquely Belgian feel, with modern design, comfortable seating, work areas, and plenty of room to settle in before that long flight.

Your meal options are presented via a hot-and-cold buffet rather than a full-service restaurant. Selections change throughout the day, and the bar will obviously put Belgian beers in the spotlight. You’ll also find wines, spirits, soft drinks, and coffee.

Travelers finishing long journeys can also use the shower suites for a welcome chance to freshen up.

Other travelers might opt to use the Sunrise Lounge instead. It is another pleasant and comfortable area with lighter fare, a fully stocked bar, showers, some quieter spaces, and office facilities for business needs.

Business Class passengers also enjoy priority check-in, priority boarding, and two checked bags – making the entire airport experience much less complicated indeed.

Since Brussels Airlines is part of the Star Alliance and the Lufthansa Group, eligible Business Class travelers can also use partner lounges on trips outside Brussels.

Choosing the Right A330 Seat Matters

Keep this in mind when making your reservation. Brussels Airlines operates both Airbus A330-300 and A330-200 aircraft, and the business class cabins are not exactly alike.

The refurbished A330-300 has 30 business class seats arranged in a somewhat unconventional configuration. The rows alternate between 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 or 2-1-2 arrangements.

This arrangement makes certain seats even more attractive. Solo travelers should watch for the “throne” seats, including 1A, 3A, and 5A, and their counterparts on the opposite side of the aircraft.

Instead of sitting next to another seat, you occupy the space that would normally fit two people. This creates more counter space and a noticeably greater sense of seclusion.

Couples have several options themselves. Some rows offer paired window seats if sitting together matters to you, while other center seats like 3D/3F and 5D/5F give each passenger easy access to the aisle.

All business class seats convert into a fully flat bed. The combination of light wood finishes with extremely deep blue upholstery produces a very inviting boutique hotel-like atmosphere within the cabin itself – rather than a corporate one.

However, one thing to bear in mind: the footwell can be somewhat narrow.

If you move around frequently during sleep, turning over might feel somewhat restricted. Some passengers also report that the mattress padding and bedding feel marginally less luxurious than those on leading airlines from Asia or the Middle East.

The A330-200 has an older 22-seat layout with alternating 1-2-1 and 2-1-2 rows. Its pneumatic-cushion seat converts into a bed about 6 feet 5 inches long. Even so, very tall individuals might find it somewhat cramped, with 1A and 1K often being better seats to choose if you need extra room.

Airplanes may vary because Brussels Airlines has operated jets originally belonging to other airlines. If knowing the exact seat is crucial to you, looking up the aircraft configuration before you book is definitely worth doing.

On newer A330-300 cabins, you’ll find a self-service bar behind business class, so you can grab a drink or snack without waiting for the next cabin service.

Dining Is Where Brussels Airlines Shines

If the seat is positioned slightly behind the latest Business Class offerings, the food really makes up for it.

Brussels Airlines really takes its Belgian identity very seriously.

On quite a few long-haul flights, catering is supplied by Do & Co while the airline’s Belgian Star Chefs program brings Michelin-starred Belgian chefs on board – at least creatively.

Previous participating chefs include Peter Goossens, Stephanie Thunus, and Mario Elias, with menus changing seasonally.

Service may start with champagne, kir royale, or another aperitif, accompanied by spiced nuts. Dinner then progresses through individual appetizer, main course, and dessert services.

Depending on the current menu, you might come across smoked trout with daikon and sour cream, slow-cooked chicken with barley and seaweed salad, or dishes that really highlight seasonal Belgian ingredients.

But the Belgian theme doesn’t end with dinner itself. Local beers, pralines, waffles, and cookies appear throughout your journey, giving the whole experience a special sense of place that so many larger airlines really lack.

The wine program is yet another real strength. Brussels Airlines has been recognized before for its truly international Business Class wine selection, with wines selected using real professional knowledge rather than merely filling the menu with well-known names.

It gives the meal that unmistakably Belgian flavor without turning the entire cabin into a theme park.

Entertainment Is Good, But Where’s the Wi-Fi?

Every Business Class seat will have a large personal touchscreen. It offers a choice of Hollywood films, international films, documentaries, TV shows, music, games, and even a moving flight map.

The screens themselves actually feel quite big enough for comfortable viewing – especially if you’re reclining.

The entertainment collection is perfectly acceptable for a long-haul trip itself.  Though it won’t challenge the massive libraries available from carriers like Emirates.

Really though, the bigger issue is connectivity.

Brussels Airlines doesn’t yet offer in-flight WiFi on these flights. It feels out of step with modern long-haul Business Class standards.

If you’re going to spend eight hours sending emails or working online, that’s probably something you should know before you board.

On the bright side, though, the lack of connectivity provides a perfect reason to take a little time out. Download whatever you need first, pick your movie, and enjoy being completely out of touch.

Free digital papers and the airline’s in-flight magazine will also be there for offline entertainment options.

Belgian Touches Continue with the Amenity Kit

Your amenity kit is simple yet very practical.

Depending on your route and the aircraft you’re on, you’ll usually find earplugs, eye masks, a dental kit, a pen, lip balm, and moisturizer.</p>

Brussels Airlines has used brown leather pouches made by Aesaert – a leather goods company from Ghent. This is a tiny detail. But it perfectly complements the airline’s broader policy of promoting Belgian businesses, chefs, beers, chocolates, and design itself.

Instead of stuffing the bag with dozens of products you will probably leave behind, the kit focuses on the essentials you will actually need during your flight.</p>

The Bottom Line

Brussels Airlines’ Business Class isn’t one of the most technologically advanced first-class cabins in Europe.

There are no closing suite doors. Older A330 seats can look really old-fashioned. The footwells are narrow, and the lack of Wi-Fi really stands out. But focusing too much on these shortcomings will make you miss what Brussels Airlines really excels at.

The flatbed seat is comfy enough for that long overnight trip. “Throne” seats offer great space for solo travelers, and the newly refurbished cabin looks stylishly inviting.

Most importantly, the outstandingly Belgian-inspired food, wine, beer, chocolates, and genuinely helpful service lend the whole experience a unique character all their own.</p>

And if you want to have a go at Brussels Airlines’ Business Class without having to pay the full listed price tag, Simply Business Class (SBC) could help you save up to half the cost of those top-tier fares – all dependent on your route and how available the seats are.</p>

Virgin Atlantic has never attempted to make flying really quite formal. Its premium cabins are stylish, social, and just a bit more playful than those found on many traditional airlines.

The Retreat Suite takes that personality and adds something business class travelers are ever more frequently looking for. Expect real privacy and lots of space.

Available on certain Airbus A330neo aircraft, the Retreat Suite is located right at the very front of the Upper Class cabin. Think of it as Upper Class taken to a higher level.

You’ll be given a larger suite, a fully closing privacy door, an extremely large entertainment screen, additional storage facilities, and one feature particularly fun: quite enough space to invite another passenger over for dinner. Let’s explore.

The Premium Experience Starts at the Airport

When you’re flying out of London’s Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic, if you’re seated in Upper Class, you’ll find yourself enjoying one of the smoother airport experiences around.

Instead of losing themselves in the usual terminal crowds, eligible passengers are able to use the Upper Class Wing situated inside Heathrow Terminal 3. There, they will find a specially created check-in area and direct entry into a separate security channel.

Once you’ve crossed airside, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse will be right there as part of your experience.

Calling it merely an airport lounge actually doesn’t seem quite fair enough.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses themselves are engineered to look more like very stylish members’ clubs. Instead of having to rely solely on a traditional buffet spread, you can sit back in a comfortable chair, order some food, enjoy a cocktail, carry out work, or even just freshen up prior to your flight.

Depending on which airport you’re at, the Clubhouse facilities could include à la carte dining options, cocktail bars, showers, functional workspaces, and quieter areas for relaxation.

In airports where Virgin Atlantic itself does not operate a Clubhouse, eligible Upper Class travelers might instead use our partner lounges. For example, departures from New York will sometimes offer access to Delta’s own premium lounge facilities.

This creates a distinctly more peaceful start to that lengthy journey itself.

The Retreat Suite Is More Than a Bigger Upper Class Seat

Once on board the A330neo, you’ll discover the Retreat Suites located in the first row.

These aren’t entirely separate from Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class. Instead, they’re upgraded front-row suites making the most of the extra space available at the bulkhead itself.

And there’s a lot of space. Your seat will be about 22 inches wide and transform right into a fully flat bed measuring nearly 6 feet 7 inches – or 79 inches – in length.

Close the sliding privacy door, and your suite effectively becomes your very own little room.

Private enough to be able to retreat to sleep, yet the design doesn’t feel closed-in or claustrophobic itself. Virgin Atlantic maintains a stylishly modern cabin atmosphere rather than turning your suite into a box.

You’ll also find additional storage options like side compartments plus deeper areas around the footrest itself for keeping even more intimate items perfectly organized.

However, the footrest itself is where things get quite interesting.

Yes, You Can Invite Someone Over for Dinner

One of the Retreat Suite’s best features is its very large ottoman. Instead of just being a place for your feet, it doubles up as a buddy seat. That means another passenger can walk into your suite, sit opposite you, and dine with you face-to-face.

The larger table will make actual dual dining possible, so couples or friends won’t have to spend the whole flight separated from each other by their individual Business Class seats.

It’s a tiny detail that completely changes the feeling of the space.

Most modern Business Class suites are really designed pretty much all around isolation. Virgin Atlantic gives you that privacy if you need it, but also lets you turn the experience into a social one.

For couples traveling together, that might be one of the biggest reasons for choosing the Retreat Suite over a standard Upper Class seat.

The Loft Keeps the Social Side of Virgin Atlantic Alive

Looking for yet more company? Passengers can also exit their suites and visit The Loft, Virgin Atlantic’s onboard social area on the A330neo.

It is a space where Upper Class travelers can sit together, have a drink, chat or simply pass the time away from their seats.

There is also the Wander Wall, where passengers may pick up snacks and refreshments whilst en route.

All these features match Virgin Atlantic’s personality perfectly. The airline offers you a private suite when you’d like to disappear and a social space if you’re fed up with looking at four walls.

Dining Feels More Like a Restaurant Meal

Food is another really key part of the upper-class experience. Expect multi-course meals with starters, warm breads, a choice of main courses, desserts, and a very extensive drinks menu.

Main courses change per flight and season but might feature meat, fish, vegetarian and plant-based options amongst others.

Virgin Atlantic places a lot of focus on its drinks program too, so you can expect wines, champagnes, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives.

If you’re traveling with someone, then this is where that buddy seat really comes into its own. Rather than eating separately, you can transform your Retreat Suite into a small private dining room.

On overnight services, passengers who place more importance on getting their rest can take things a bit easier and get themselves ready for bed much earlier.

A Huge Screen Changes Movie Night

The Retreat Suite will also receive an entertainment upgrade. Depending on the aircraft configuration, the front row setup could offer an impressive 27- to 32-inch 4K display.

That’s enormous for an airplane seat. It really does make the suite feel much more like a small, private cinema than just another standard Business Class seat.

The system comprises films, TV shows, music and other forms of entertainment – whilst Bluetooth connectivity lets you pair up compatible personal headphones yourself.

You’ll also see quite modern charging facilities, including wireless charging plus USB and AC power sockets.

Whether you’re using your laptop, charging your phone or watching numerous movies one after another, the suite has been created with the reality that almost all travelers are carrying several devices nowadays.

Votary Skincare and Premium Amenities

The softer details carry on with Virgin Atlantic’s amenity offering.

Premium skincare comes from Votary, with products really focused on hydration. It is something you will appreciate after many hours in dry cabin air.

Depending on your flight and current equipment, amenities may comprise moisturizing skincare products, nourishing balms, facial items, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, an eye mask, and earplugs. These are all those vital items for travel itself.

On overnight flights, complimentary pajamas and slippers make an extra contribution to the sleep experience.

It’s not about filling a bag with dozens of products you’ll never use. The focus is more on truly useful items that will help you arrive feeling just a little bit more human after crossing several time zones.

The Bottom Line

The Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suite is not attempting to compete as the most formal business class experience worldwide. Its appeal will be quite different.

You’ll get what counts – a fully flat 79-inch bed, a closing privacy door, an enormous 4K screen, top-of-the-line bedding, cutting-edge technology, very good food, and luxurious skincare products.

Availability is the greatest challenge. The Retreat Suite is limited to certain A330neo aircraft, and there are just a few dozen upgraded front row seats. So discovering one may need careful preparation.

Premium travel doesn’t have to involve the highest listed ticket price. Simply Business Class (SBC) will help travelers discover cheaper premium cabin fares, with possible savings of up to 50 % depending on route, dates, and how much is available.

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.