I am looking at a Finnair RTW fare in business class. I will fly a couple of legs with Finnair JFK-HEL and HEL-HKG has anyone flown these routes and how was the experience?
My partner and I flew it 6 weeks ago. Certainly not worth paying top dollars for, but it was comfortable enough.
We flew in the A350 on the HKG-HEL link. The plane was really nice, incredibly open, the food was pretty decent. Not the best business class but certainly not the worst.
The trip to JFK was not an in A350, and really quite dated. Very noticeable after the A350. It was a lie flat bed for both trips.
The lounge at HKG is pretty average, there's no showers unless you're top tier with one world and can go into the premier lounge.
Personally I find the Finnair RTW tickets unbeatable value, with tickets under $6000 as part of a recent sale. Sure, it's not the best but for the price they have lie flat seats, even in the A330; and it's possible to use Cathay Pacific and Qantas as part of the itinerary.
Even without oneWorld status, Finnair Business Class passengers can instead choose to use the Cathay Pacific or Qantas Business Class lounges rather than the Finnair nominated third party lounge, both of which have showers.
Depends what you're looking for. If you want a super-luxurious experience, then it's not for you.
If you want an exceptional value ticket that earns you a good amount of Qantas points/status, and flies you around the world in decent comfort, then you can't go past them.
Re the lounge: I assume you mean Helsinki, not Hong Kong? Hong Kong has both Qantas and many great Cathay Pacific lounges.
As for Helsinki, I've flown Finnair business without premier status and had access to showers in the lounge... could of had a Sauna but didn't have time.
Hi wawanderer - I've reviewed the flight between Helsinki and Hong Kong, as well as Finnair's three lounges in Helsinki (Schengen is mainly for passengers travelling short-haul, such as Finland domestic or to places like Paris and Rome, whereas the non-Schengen lounge and the Premium Lounge are mostly for long-haul passengers such as flying to Hong Kong). You can find and read all our Finnair reviews here.
I have flown AY RTW twice in April and May this year.
Thoughts:
- A350 J class is a great experience but lack of storage space compared with QF/CX
- A330 J class (likely for your JFK leg) is nice if you get the "throne seat"; plenty of space for your stuff
- Food on AY is great; Nordic cuisine which consists of a lot of salmon/rye bread etc
- Wifi is intermittently working
- AY crew generally pleasant but not overly friendly like on QF/CX
- As part of RTW, you can try out CX/QF J class for positioning flights
- HEL Premium Lounge (for high status flyers) is absolutely wonderful and the sauna is a unique experience!
- The lounge options in HKG is amazing; your J class tickets allow you into CX J lounge and if you have QF Platinum (or OW equivalent), you can access CX F lounge which are outstanding...I had a great time there!
I have flown AY RTW twice in April and May this year.
Thoughts:
- A350 J class is a great experience but lack of storage space compared with QF/CX
- A330 J class (likely for your JFK leg) is nice if you get the "throne seat"; plenty of space for your stuff
- Food on AY is great; Nordic cuisine which consists of a lot of salmon/rye bread etc
- Wifi is intermittently working
- AY crew generally pleasant but not overly friendly like on QF/CX
- As part of RTW, you can try out CX/QF J class for positioning flights
- HEL Premium Lounge (for high status flyers) is absolutely wonderful and the sauna is a unique experience!
- The lounge options in HKG is amazing; your J class tickets allow you into CX J lounge and if you have QF Platinum (or OW equivalent), you can access CX F lounge which are outstanding...I had a great time there!
Summary
- great planes and seats
- not the best on the market but very comfortable
- GOOD VALUE
I would give them a go!
Silentiger86, many thanks, I just read this out to my mother whom I am taking to a tour of the Baltic flying AY J class in Sept, this and Chris's reviews of the lounges have given her an added frizzon of excitement and anticipation.
Thanks for the posts everyone ,will give them a go it seems such good value. I can get a RTW ticket for about three quarters of the Qantas Perth -Dallas J return fare and I still fly out with Qantas. Will let you know how I go.
I have flown AY RTW twice in April and May this year.
Thoughts:
- A350 J class is a great experience but lack of storage space compared with QF/CX
- A330 J class (likely for your JFK leg) is nice if you get the "throne seat"; plenty of space for your stuff
- Food on AY is great; Nordic cuisine which consists of a lot of salmon/rye bread etc
- Wifi is intermittently working
- AY crew generally pleasant but not overly friendly like on QF/CX
- As part of RTW, you can try out CX/QF J class for positioning flights
- HEL Premium Lounge (for high status flyers) is absolutely wonderful and the sauna is a unique experience!
- The lounge options in HKG is amazing; your J class tickets allow you into CX J lounge and if you have QF Platinum (or OW equivalent), you can access CX F lounge which are outstanding...I had a great time there!
Summary
- great planes and seats
- not the best on the market but very comfortable
- GOOD VALUE
I would give them a go!
Silentiger86, many thanks, I just read this out to my mother whom I am taking to a tour of the Baltic flying AY J class in Sept, this and Chris's reviews of the lounges have given her an added frizzon of excitement and anticipation.
Thanks for the advice Silentiger 86 how do I ensure I get the "throne seat"?
Get your agent to secure 2A/4A/6A as well as 8A/10A (if J class). Can also manage your booking on Finnair website if doing your own travel booking without agent. Usually available if tickets are booked early enough :)
Get your agent to secure 2A/4A/6A as well as 8A/10A (if J class). Can also manage your booking on Finnair website if doing your own travel booking without agent. Usually available if tickets are booked early enough :)
I flew Finnair J last year - great value - June 2017 $5,400 - MEL-SIN Qantas a330 - SIN-HEL-LHR on new A350 - overland - MXP-HEL (average aircraft but great service) - a few hours to explore Helsinki then back for a shower and a snack before overnight HEL-SIN on a350 (return side trip to Bali in J with SIA), then was on Qantas a330 SIN-MEL but at airport early and flight delayed so got moved to Emirates a380. 55 year old woman travelling solo. Terrific experience and at that price I would repeat in a heartbeat.
wawanderer
wawanderer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jul 2017
Total posts 12
I am looking at a Finnair RTW fare in business class. I will fly a couple of legs with Finnair JFK-HEL and HEL-HKG has anyone flown these routes and how was the experience?
bob342
bob342
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 35
My partner and I flew it 6 weeks ago. Certainly not worth paying top dollars for, but it was comfortable enough.
terryj
terryj
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Sep 2016
Total posts 7
Even without oneWorld status, Finnair Business Class passengers can instead choose to use the Cathay Pacific or Qantas Business Class lounges rather than the Finnair nominated third party lounge, both of which have showers.
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 182
Depends what you're looking for. If you want a super-luxurious experience, then it's not for you.
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
Re the lounge: I assume you mean Helsinki, not Hong Kong? Hong Kong has both Qantas and many great Cathay Pacific lounges.
As for Helsinki, I've flown Finnair business without premier status and had access to showers in the lounge... could of had a Sauna but didn't have time.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Hi wawanderer - I've reviewed the flight between Helsinki and Hong Kong, as well as Finnair's three lounges in Helsinki (Schengen is mainly for passengers travelling short-haul, such as Finland domestic or to places like Paris and Rome, whereas the non-Schengen lounge and the Premium Lounge are mostly for long-haul passengers such as flying to Hong Kong). You can find and read all our Finnair reviews here.
silentiger86
silentiger86
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Dec 2017
Total posts 90
I have flown AY RTW twice in April and May this year.
Summary
Rav
Rav
Member since 18 Aug 2017
Total posts 23
Summary
Silentiger86, many thanks, I just read this out to my mother whom I am taking to a tour of the Baltic flying AY J class in Sept, this and Chris's reviews of the lounges have given her an added frizzon of excitement and anticipation.
silentiger86
silentiger86
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Dec 2017
Total posts 90
You will have the best time! Enjoy :)
wawanderer
wawanderer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jul 2017
Total posts 12
Thanks for the posts everyone ,will give them a go it seems such good value. I can get a RTW ticket for about three quarters of the Qantas Perth -Dallas J return fare and I still fly out with Qantas. Will let you know how I go.
wawanderer
wawanderer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jul 2017
Total posts 12
Summary
Silentiger86, many thanks, I just read this out to my mother whom I am taking to a tour of the Baltic flying AY J class in Sept, this and Chris's reviews of the lounges have given her an added frizzon of excitement and anticipation.
Thanks for the advice Silentiger 86 how do I ensure I get the "throne seat"?
silentiger86
silentiger86
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Dec 2017
Total posts 90
Get your agent to secure 2A/4A/6A as well as 8A/10A (if J class). Can also manage your booking on Finnair website if doing your own travel booking without agent. Usually available if tickets are booked early enough :)
wawanderer
wawanderer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jul 2017
Total posts 12
wawanderer
wawanderer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jul 2017
Total posts 12
All booked, thanks for everyone's advice I can't believe the value, my ticket all in was just over $6k PER-SYD-DFW-LAG-HEL-LHR-HEL-HKG-PER
TanyaB61
TanyaB61
Member since 21 Jun 2018
Total posts 3
I flew Finnair J last year - great value - June 2017 $5,400 - MEL-SIN Qantas a330 - SIN-HEL-LHR on new A350 - overland - MXP-HEL (average aircraft but great service) - a few hours to explore Helsinki then back for a shower and a snack before overnight HEL-SIN on a350 (return side trip to Bali in J with SIA), then was on Qantas a330 SIN-MEL but at airport early and flight delayed so got moved to Emirates a380. 55 year old woman travelling solo. Terrific experience and at that price I would repeat in a heartbeat.