Finnair's new Platinum Wing lounge at Helsinki has its own sauna
By David Flynn, June 6 2019
Is there anything more Finnish than an airport lounge with its own sauna? Finnair's newly-opened Platinum Wing lounge at Helsinki Airport offers this unique way to relax before your flight with some communal sweating in a unisex sauna. It's quite the experience, if you can make time for it.
If not, there's plenty else at the Platinum Wing to keep you occupied, starting with the hot breakfast served through to 10.30am and à la carte dining through to midnight, plenty of drinks (and yes, there's vodka) plus barista-pulled coffee, a salad bar and dessert station.
With seating for 155 guests Finnair's Platinum Wing divides its floor space into different spaces for working and and relaxing. The former includes a private phone booth; the latter is built around a 'living room' area for even more comfortable lounging.
But as the lounge's name hints, not every traveller can waltz into into the Platinum Wing.
These digs are exclusive to Platinum-grade members of the Finnair Plus frequent flyer program (including the lofty Platinum Lumo tier) and and other Oneworld Emerald cardholders, such as Qantas Platinum, BA Executive Club Gold and Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo Club Diamond.
The Platinum Wing replaces the former Finnair Premium Lounge, which had some of the same features – including the sauna – but a lower grade of food and drinks, and was open to Finnair Plus Gold, Qantas Gold and Oneworld Sapphire-grade frequent flyers.
Finnair's Platinum Wing lounge is located in Helsinki Airport's non-Schengen zone, which means it's available for travellers setting out on international flights to the likes of London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Meanwhile, rolling renovation work continues on the adjacent Finnair Business Lounge to add more space, more food and drink options and a fresh 'Nordic design'. Until that make-over is completed by November 2019, Finnair Plus Gold members and their Oneworld equivalents will enjoy temporary access to the Platinum Wing.
Also read: ET reviews Finnair's business class Schengen Lounge, Helsinki Airport
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 May 2013
Total posts 17
Based on the photos online (https://www.instagram.com/p/ByXglXaBhvQ/), the new lounge looks amazing. Can't wait to check it out in a few weeks!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2014
Total posts 49
So just to clarify, Qantas Golds are now granted access to this Platinum lounge while the business lounge is being refurbished? But when the refurb is completed (in Nov), Golds/Sapphires will be sent back to the business lounge? If so, that's great for me as I'll loose QF Plat in July and fly via HEL in Sept.
18 Mar 2018
Total posts 1
I was duly disappointed when I transited through HEL on 25 May, supposedly when the Platinum Wing was ready, no it wasn't. I asked them when the renovation would be complete, and the receptionist just said work had been severely delayed. The peak hours of 14:00 to 17:00 are indeed flooded with premium passengers with nowhere to sit.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
12 Jul 2016
Total posts 27
just tried the new Platinum Business Lounge at Helsinki - well done Finnair
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Feb 2018
Total posts 7
Brilliant lounge and airport for that matter. Transitted through 2 weeks ago. Time from touchdown to lounge was 24 minutes. Great showers and food selection, very quiet and comfortable. One tip though - keep your QFF card handy. For some reason the boarding passes we got (both in SYD and the re-printed ones in HKG) did not have my OW Status on them for the Finnair legs of our journey. I had to show them my QFF Platinum card to get in. I don't usually travel with it so was lucky this time - I'd have thought scanning my boarding pass would be enough to prove status but apparently not.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Feb 2018
Total posts 7
One caveat to add here - a la carte dining is only available from 12pm to 5pm, so don't bank on having dinner here (as we did). Buffet is pretty limited if a full meal is what you're looking for.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Finnair's new Platinum Wing lounge at Helsinki has its own sauna