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Finnair confirms fully-flat business class complete by Autumn 2014

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Finnair, a partner airline of BA’s in the oneworld alliance, has confirmed that the remainder of its long-haul fleet will have fully-flat business class seating by Autumn 2014.

Four recent deliveries of Airbus A330 aircraft already feature the new seat, as can be seen here:

Finnair business class

What is notable about these seats is that a full 1/3rd of the seats are solo, with no seat mate.  This gives you a level of privacy that most airlines, including BA, can only offer in First Class.

90% of seats in the new Finnair business class cabin also have direct aisle access.

Three of the A340 fleet will not receive the new seats, but these aircraft will be retired early in 2015 as the first Airbus A350 aircraft arrive.

For those who do not know Finnair very well, the airline has carved out a niche for itself in flying to Asia.  A quick look at a map will show the logic in that approach.  For example, Helsinki to Tokyo is timetabled at just 9 hours 45 minutes, compared to 11 hours 45 minutes with BA.  It is a viable alternative if you live in the regions, as Finnair also flies from Manchester to Helsinki to connect.

Once onboard, you can also enjoy Finnair’s Marimekko bedding!


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Comments (10)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Jamed67 says:

    Have flown them twice this year between BLK-HEL-AMS. Reviews are not great so I did not expect much and ended up pleasantly surprised. The seats were nice, even numbered window seats being best of all for solotravellers. Seats same as new LX J so see reviews on those too. IFE AVOD was not on par with the best, maybe even below average but should still be possible for everyone to find something to their liking. Contrary to many reviews I enjoyed the food, I found it light, fresh and suited to flying. In flight service was friendlyand eeficient but I pity the FA havimg to wear awful looking uniforms but I guess they are comfy! Helsinki a very simple aorport to transit. The business lounge average at bestbut a new one will be opened soon. Reports suggest it is for elites only and that Finnair J alone will not get you in. Finnair has vrr keen J promotions from time to time. Following my experiemce this year with Finnair and Sri Lankan, I am begining to like them better than themore obvious megacarriers.

  • courtster says:

    Sweet, lets hope they do another smashing J sale to Australia like this time last year.

  • Commentator 626 says:

    “just 9 hours 45 minutes, compared to 11 hours 45 minutes with BA. ”

    I appreciate they are well positioned for a flight to North East Asia, but the comparison with BA is a little off, as you have to add on 2 hrs 55 mins to get to HEL and 3 hours 10 mins to get to LHR, presumably in a regional/short-haul seat?

    • Rob says:

      Clearly it isn’t quicker than a direct flight from London. However, I was trying to make the point that it isn’t as bad a diversion as you might think!

  • Alan says:

    Do these solo (aka Captain Kirk) seats have the same horribly tight ‘cubby’ for your feet as LX have? If so I’d recommend going for one of the offset singles instead as I found it pretty claustrophobic to feel my feet weren’t able to move, especially if i wanted to lie on my side.

  • Lady London says:

    Same here about feet and LX J seats. I thought it was just me !

    • Alan says:

      Haha no, we’re not alone, I’ve seen it mentioned in a few blogs too!

      • Jamed67 says:

        I was in the other side but your comments ring a bell in back of my mind too. Personally I am not sold on full flat beds, I have found I sleep much better if I put the seat almost flat but with a slight S-shape that takes pressure off my knees and lower back.

  • TrollBasher says:

    Finnair is an excellent choice for MAN travellers going east, or indeed west if you don’t mind the dog leg.
    This refurb can only be good as they provide a genuine OW alternative going east against the Middle East three.

  • Steve says:

    These look like the same seats as on the BA A321s that go to telaviv

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