Traveling business class in Finnair's "not" seat aboard the A350. The review
Ever since Finnair stunned the aviation world with its innovative business class proposal, this product has been [...]

Ever since Finnair stunned the aviation world with its innovative business class proposal, this product was undoubtedly one of the most talked about products in the skies.
In this article:

- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- A350/900
- Class:
- Business
- Treat:
- HEL - LAX
- Price:
- 9300 avios + 169€ tax
- Book
Not only because it is something very different, but especially because in a very short time the Finnish company disposed of the old cabins and in just over 2 years has renovated the interiors of the entire fleet. Of note. the old businesses were still modern compared to many other companies, so an investment worth double.
From day one this business class cabin has been divisive: you either hate it or you love it. #Spoilertalert I love it.
What are the error do
No one has any idea whether the chicken or the egg was born first, so no one has any idea what the genesis is that brings an error make to light, what is certain is that every now and then (increasingly rarely) these mistakes happen and tickets to fly for a few euros (or points) around the world pop up.
There are those who are convinced (myself included) that they are often guerrilla marketing initiatives, Those who think they are genuine situations. In any case in recent years we see less and less of them and even fewer are the situations in which companies honor them, i.e., confirm issued tickets.
In recent years, TFC readers and subscribers to our WhatsApp channel have received and booked several, And this was really a ticket that was the result of an error making. Singular is the fact that this is the second time I've reviewed AY on the site and always thanks to a wrong ticket.
Reservation
It's unbelievable, but when I fly Finnair I always fish in the error do. The first time with Marika we went to Singapore. With a ticket paid 1 euro + tax, while today I flew from Helsinki to Los Angeles at the monstrous sum of 9300 avios + taxes.
On January 10, I posted. both on the Facebook group Than on the whatsapp channel, the news of this crazy fare. Bookable through Avios on Iberia's website with less than €200 surcharges each way.
At least a dozen users have written to me that they got the same thing and I have no information that Finnair or Iberia have not honored the tickets, as instead happened lately with other error fare.
Because he was honored
I think two factors played an important role in this case: reservation with points on a different program than the carrier that put the plane and tariff that, unlike the With an error do similar Flying Blue has not become main stream, that is, it was not taken by thousands of users.
At the airport
I arrived in Helsinki the night before, this flight was the pillar around which I built my million-mile hunt. of SAS, which is why I arrived specifically with the Nordic carrier the night before from Milan.
After sleeping a few hours in the lousy Holiday Inn near the airport, I went bright and early to what I consider to be one of the best airports to have a layover in Europe.
Online check-in, ultra-fast check-ins, and after passing through the main terminal I went for a tour of the new Schengen lounge, just enough time to enter it for the first time, since the old one was closed, and then head into the one in the intercontinental flight terminal.
The business lounge is nice, but the Platinum Wing is even better, and the sauna is really an option that few companies can offer.
As usual, I went to the gate well in advance so that I could take some shots to post on the website.
Orderly, zoned boarding and passengers who waited stress-free for the call. AHhh the Nordics...
On board
This is not my first time flying on this Finnair A350, planes also regularly found for flights from London, Amsterdam and other European airports.
Immediately striking is the quietness, space and order in the cabin.
AY has two types of A350s, the difference is really in the number of business places and the one used for this flight was the one with the fewest J seats, all distributed in the first cabin. The configuration is 1-2-1, all passengers have direct aisle access, and the absence of a hat rack above the center rows makes for a very airy environment.
The chair
Here perhaps it would be better to talk about sitting, not armchair. Finnair is the only carrier in the world to use this configuration, more than 4 years after it was introduced no other company has made the same choice, but not even close.
The special feature is precisely the absence of a seat; let's say it could be called a bench, a shell within which the passenger is left free to find his or her ideal position.
The point is precisely this. Those who fly infrequently will not immediately notice the difference, those who fly a lot, on the other hand, will be amazed the first time they sit there. Hence the hate/love opinions of this solution.
There is everything that is offered by today's most modern chairs. Technology, storage, functionality. What is missing is not regretted. There is no chair, but I did not miss it. On the contrary.
The door is missing, but the way the structure is designed the privacy is there.
Very nice idea of incorporating a small cabinet into the structure, with an almost camouflaged porch.
Very convenient closed cockpit storage under the window.
Beautiful colors, soothing and not at all subtle. In fact, the dark blue fabric is perfect for concealing the marks of previous passengers.
Console that hides the coffee table is convenient, large and also incorporates induction charging for the cell phone. Push-button panel for light seat management convenient to use and placed in a smart spot where it is unlikely to be accidentally squeezed.
Large screen, power outlets, and a convenient and easy-to-orient personal reading light.
The difference in this product is that it does not have a seat that turns the bed, here there is nothing that "slides". There is only a leg support that lifts up, the hole that remains is filled by an additional support that is, however, attached to the front frame...
By doing so s gets a completely flat surface, where the user also thanks to two cushions can seek his or her preferred position.
Pleasant and comfortable coffee table for both eating and working on PC.
Clean, windowed bathrooms as is customary on these machines , but even here there is nothing but handouts of soap and cream.
Is Finnair's business class seat comfortable?
I admit I was doubtful and prejudiced, But instead I was favorably impressed. Of course it's not easy to get used to, especially for someone like me who is used to looking for the perfect ovetto position.
In the end I was really impressed. Comfortable in normal version, very comfortable in bed version.
It's like sleeping on a tatami mat. It would take a real topper and a couple of extra pillows to make it perfect.
IFE
Top product. Large screen with good resolution. USB and USB-c sockets convenient to reach. Induction charging for cell phone. Lots of content in terms of movies, TV series also in Italian language and especially the webcams to see what was going on outside.
Performance Wi-fi, at a fair price (discounted for FF members) . The only uncomfortable note is the lack of Bluetooth for IFE and the placement of the power outlet, at the bottom of the seat awkward to reach with the supports up.
The remote control is also "old-fashioned," not a second screen as many IFEs have on board aircraft today.
Service
At the place when you arrive there are already pillows, slippers, a bottle of water and amenity kit.
An unwatchable stuff, sure the brand is one of the most famous in Finland, but product and content are from Premium Economy.
Attentive staff, but the trolley service, on tray as in economy Is unbelievably sad. Sure fast and accurate, but really no perception of premium product, everything here is too minimal.
Very bad that the galley between business and premium economy, is used as a dirty tray storage. Here passengers who want to have a chat, without disturbing, can relax, but this way is not nice at all.
Convenient, on the other hand, are the lockers where you can help yourself to citations and liquids in case of sudden hunger pangs.
Food & Beverage
Disappointment about the service, disappointment about the food proposal. Of course Finnish cuisine is not the most renowned, but still Was a 6-politician experience. A single tray where the entire dinner is served, excluding dessert, pretty much like in economy.
Dishes being uncovered at the sight of passengers, really a tourist cabin thing. Two cold appetizers and then the choice of main course and dessert, all very fast, what you would expect on an overnight flight, but here it was unnecessary.
In conclusion
At this price all my life and more, at normal price just as much. Given that avios to/from Finnair can be moved whenever you want, that taxes and surcharges are ridiculous, and that the entire fleet offers this product without nasty surprises, Finnair is worth considering, especially on Asian routes.

Pro
- The chair
Against
- The service
- Gastronomic proposal
- Amenity kit