10 Reasons To Fly Finnair Business Class

Wondering what it’s like to fly Finnair Business Class? Ride along with me and I’ll share why I think it’s totally worth the splurge!

Thanks so much to Finnair and Visit Finland for hosting this trip. All opinions are 100% my own.

I love exploring new places but international travel takes a toll sometimes. I’ve always flown coach and depending on the plane, things can get a little cramped. Plus, many of these flights take place at night and since it’s nearly impossible for me to sleep on planes, I’m exhausted when we land the next morning.  

I have to admit, I’ve always been a little jealous when I walked past the people in business class. I wondered what it would be like and how it must feel to have all that room! Was it all that it was cracked up to be? Was it worth the extra money?

All my questions were answered on a recent trip to Finland. When I found out I’d be flying Finnair Business Class, I was almost as excited about that news as I was about the trip itself.  

Fly Finnair Business Class: Why It’s Worth The Splurge

Let’s just say, it lived up to all my expectations! Business class may not be in everyone’s budget but if you can spring for  it, it’s the way to go when flying internationally. Here’s why I think it’s totally worth the splurge…

Priority Check-in

For starters, when you fly Finnair business class, you have access to priority check-in. That saves a lot of time and trouble right out of the gate. Lines are shorter and you can get checked in and on your way to the Finnair lounge much sooner (more about that in a minute)

Priority Security

We all know what a pain it is when there are long lines in security…and that’s pretty much all the time. Being able to go through priority security is a huge bonus and again, gets you where you want to be just a little bit faster.   

The Finnair Lounge 

One of my favorite perks of flying business class was having access to the Finnair lounge. Because I’m one of those people who gets to the airport super early, this gave me a place to plug in a work for a couple hours before it was time to board.

I was really just happy to have a quiet place to work but then I walked in and saw the everything the lounge had to offer, from food and drink to views overlooking the NYC skyline.

First the food. There was a great selection that included everything from salmon to salads.

I helped myself to lunch of salmon, veggies and cheese…yumm!

Since I was super excited to be visiting Finland for the first time, I had to celebrate with a glass of champagne. There was plenty to go around and wine was also available on the opposite end.

If you prefer something a little stronger, liquor is available too. Of course, there was also coffee and tea if you just needed a little caffeine pick-me-up instead.

The lounges probably differ from airport to airport but this JFK lounge was divided into two parts. There was the main area, where I hung out working, eating and drinking, and a second, much quieter spot. It was a great place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of a busy airport.

Best Onboard Perk: Spacious Seating

Once you actually board the plane, you’ll discover the best perk of all…seats with all the extra legroom you could possibly want. I’m not very tall but I’ve been on international flights where I felt cramped and uncomfortable, especially when the person in front of me reclined their seat. This was not a problem I’d be having in business class! There was so much legroom that I stashed my travel bag and STILL had tons of room to spare.

These seats were a far cry from what I’m used to and are as comfy as it gets! They even come with a control pad to let you adjust your seat for maximum comfort. It’s kind of like a fancy recliner in the sky.

The first thing I did was lean back, put my feet up and watch a movie. It was really nice being able to stretch out and I wanted to make the most of it. 

Because the seats recline completely flat, I’m talking ALL THE WAY,  I was also able to get a good night’s sleep on a plane for the first time ever. Even the blanket was awesome…it was large and plush and kept me feeling cozy.

Welcome Drinks

In Finnair business class, you don’t have to wait until the plane is in the air for cabin service. I was offered a drink as soon as I got settled into my seat.  

There were some great choices, from the Arctic Blue Gin & Tonic with bilberries (similar to blueberries) to the non-alcoholic Bilberry Mocktail. Though the cocktails sounded delish, I can never resist a good glass of champagne.

Any trip is a good one when it starts with a glass of champagne, right?

Finnair Business Class Meals

I was already feeling pretty spoiled…and then dinner was served. This is NOT your typical airplane food! The signature menu, created by Chef David Posey, is a modern version of traditional Nordic cuisine. The choices read like a fine dining menu. Appetizers included beetroot marinated Balik salmon and roasted rood vegetable salad.

For the main course, choices were

• Roasted pork collar with crushed fingerling potatoes, brocoli creamed spinach and caramel-pork jus
• Grilled halibut with white wine sauce and basmati rice
• Salad with grilled vegetables and chicken breast

I went with the roasted pork collar and a glass of red wine…so good!

The cheese assortment featured Danish blue and kitchurn cheddar. Dessert choices included an apple tartlet with caramel sauce, ice cream or fresh fruits. You can never go wrong with ice cream or fruit but I highly recommend choosing the apple tartlet (plus, they gave me a bonus scoop of ice cream on the side, just for fun)!

Breakfast was served a few hours later and I quickly realized that I was eating better than I do at home. The assorted cold cuts with swiss cheese and vegetables sounded good but I went with cold smoked salmon, cheddar, camembert and cream cheese. It also came with yogurt, fresh fruit and assorted rolls. 

There was more than I could eat because I was still full from dinner but I did put a pretty good dent in the salmon and cheese. It was the perfect way to start the day.

The Flight Crew

As if I weren’t feeling spoiled enough, the flight attendants were amazing! They checked on me often and didn’t seem to mind that I had a million questions about things such as where to find the remote (a hidden compartment in the middle) and how to open the tray table.

The flight attendant assigned to my section could not have been sweeter and he made sure that I was well taken care of. I wish I could have him along on every flight!

Amenities

Flying Finnair business class also means you get upgraded amenities. In addition to a super comfy blanket and pair of slippers, I also received a toiletries bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, eye mask and more.

I also really liked the headphone upgrade. These premium Phitek headphones fit comfortably and cancelled out all background noise, perfect for watching Rocketman (so much for getting work done!)

Free Internet

Sometimes I’ll buy internet for my entire flight so that I can get work done. Other times, I just want to hop on for a few minutes to check e-mail and read the news. Finnair business class gives you a free hour of internet so you can do a little work, read your messages then sit back and relax!

Feeling Refreshed When You Arrive (Priceless!)

If you’re spending the time and money to take a vacation, you don’t want to waste it feeling tired and jet lagged when you arrive. This didn’t completely get rid of my jet lag but I felt a lot better than usual when I arrived. Flying in comfort and being able to sleep made such a huge difference and I was ready to get the day started…no nap required!

Finnair business class was pretty amazing and I could definitely get used to flying like that. One reason that I’ve never upgraded in the past was that I just wasn’t sure if it was worth the extra money. Will I travel business class for every overseas flight now? No, my bank account (and my husband) probably couldn’t handle it. However, it’s something I’ll seriously consider when we take anniversary trips or celebrate other special occasions. Sometimes, you just have to splurge!

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