finnair business class Bangkok flight review

There are times when nothing but the best will do. That applies to travel over long distances as much as anything. Passengers who opt for Finnair’s Business Class are paying premium fares so it’s only right that their travel experience should be something memorable and special – for all the right reasons. From check-in and baggage drop at departure to baggage collection at the destination airport, every aspect of comfort and convenience is taken into account, and attention to detail is what makes the difference. You want to arrive at your business destination as fresh and relaxed as possible, although of course you don’t have to be a business person to travel in and enjoy the pleasures of Finnair Business Class.

It’s a very busy ski-holiday Friday at Helsinki airport. Destination: Bangkok. The baggage drop desk staff are dealing briskly with the many arriving passengers, but the chance to head straight to the Business Class check-in and drop-off counter is never more welcome. There is also a fast track security lane, and passage to the transit area of Helsinki’s Terminal 2 is completed within five minutes of arriving at the airport. Remarkable.

Next it’s time to head for the new non-Schengen area and long–haul terminal – newly installed automatic passport readers for holders of electronic passports speed up the process – and, according to Business Class entitlement, to the Finnair Lounge near gate 36. There’s a fabulous Finnair Spa & Saunas facility nearby: make a mental note – get here an hour earlier before the next flight to give it a try. The Spa is open to passengers flying to or from a country outside the European Schengen area and also passengers with connecting flights, who have access to the Non-Schengen area in the terminal. Finnair Plus Platinum members have free access to the spa, but other passengers pay an entrance fee.
There’s half an hour or so before flight AY089 to Bangkok at 16.40 is due to leave – time to spread out in the spacious, airy, natural-light-filled Finnair Lounge, to check some emails on the iMac machines, sip a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Cuvee and a bowl of soup of the day. There’s also time to use the wire-free phone chargers and stroll up to the top level to watch Finnair’s wide-bodied Airbus aircraft preparing to depart to other Asian destinations.
It’s time to board. Naturally, Business Class passengers have their own boarding lane and soon they are making themselves at home and being welcomed by cabin crew in the expansive cabin with a glass of champagne – Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale, Brut Vintage 2003, no less - or juice. Boarding is completed on time and newspapers and magazines are distributed. The plane pushes back and the captain announces that the flight will be cut to just nine and half hours (from the more than 11 scheduled) as the result of a good tailwind.
Passengers settle into their places as menus and pre-dinner drinks are distributed. It’s a tricky decision, but let’s go for pan-fried Arctic char with chanterelle sauce and boiled Lapp potatoes, followed by white chocolate cake. There are plenty of small snacks and fruit in the galley if hunger strikes later in the flight. Finnair has won a long list of awards for its Business Class wines, so the opportunity cannot be overlooked to sample a glass of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2009 or Campomaggio Chianti Classico 2007.

A spot of shopping, perhaps? A last-minute gift for a business partner or an awaiting friend? The Finnair Shop has all sorts of top quality items and Finnair Plus members earn points for their purchases (click here to get all the details about inflight shopping).

The watch is set five hours ahead to Thai time and there is plenty of time to browse the latest issue of Finnair’s inflight magazine, Blue Wings after filling out the immigration forms handed out by cabin crew. Then choose a movie using the advanced personal entertainment system provided for each individual passenger.

Gradually the urge to sleep takes over. No problem. Take out the ear plugs and eye shades from the pack supplied to each Business Class seat, use the arm-rest controls to gently slide your seat down to the lie-flat position and spread out the blanket – and it’s off to the land of nod.
Some hours later the aroma of warming croissants and omelette provides a gentle sensory alarm. After breakfast the aircraft begins its descent. Within several minutes of landing, ahead of schedule, there’s a short wait in line at the passport counter. By the time you get to the baggage belt, the first bags are coming through – with Business Class Priority-labelled bags arriving ahead of the load.
Then it’s out into the Bangkok heat – the 30 degrees here comes as the only shock after minus 10 in Helsinki - and into town in a taxi. Bangkok? It’s 8,317 kilometres from Helsinki. In Finnair Business Class it feels like it’s just down the road.