Finnair Business Class: HEL-LAX A350-900

For my return flight from Europe, I decided to experience Finnair’s Business Class after flying Emirates to Milan. About eight months ahead of time, I was able to secure an award seat on their flagship route, Flight 1, from Helsinki to Los Angeles. Pro tip: to unlock more award availability on Finnair’s website, make sure to set your location to Finland and select English as the language. I booked a one-way Business Class ticket from Stockholm (ARN) to Los Angeles (LAX) via Helsinki (HEL), using 62,500 Avios miles and paying SEK 2,054 (approximately USD 220) in taxes.

My flight from Stockholm was delayed, which left me with only a 50-minute layover. I had to clear immigration before heading to my gate for the connecting flight to Los Angeles. However, Helsinki Airport was incredibly efficient, and they even had a dedicated area for passengers flying on AY1 (Flight 1) to LAX. I made it to the gate 25 minutes before departure, where I noticed many other passengers connecting to this flight.

Boarding the A350-900, I found my seat at 2A, a bulkhead window seat. Finnair’s new Collins AirLounge seat was immediately impressive, furniture-like in its design and incredibly inviting. Unlike most business class seats, this one doesn’t recline. Instead, the seat back stays upright, but a leg rest pops up, creating a lie-flat position. It was a comfortable and cozy seat despite the lack of reclining functionality.

Before takeoff, champagne was served as a pre-departure beverage, and a range of amenities were already waiting at my seat: noise-canceling headphones, a Marimekko amenity kit, slippers, a mattress pad, and a blanket. The seat also had numerous power options, including an AC outlet, USB-C and USB-A ports, plus a built-in wireless charger on the side table.

We took off about 30 minutes later than scheduled, but fortunately, all connecting passengers were able to make the flight. Once airborne, dinner was served, and I kicked things off with a Northern Blush cocktail (Mikropolis Gin, lingonberries, orange peel, and bitters) paired with some warm nuts. For the main course, I chose the roasted white fish, which was exceptionally fresh and delicious. Honestly, it was a standout meal! I wrapped up with a delicious blueberry pie, topped with fresh berries and vanilla sauce.

After the meal service, I finished a movie before settling in for some sleep. Although the mattress pad was quite thin, the seat itself was firm enough to provide a comfortable sleep experience. You simply slide down to transform it into a lie-flat bed. I managed to get around five hours of rest.

WiFi is available, though Business Class passengers only receive one hour for free. The full-flight pass was priced at EUR 24.95. The internet speeds were slower than expected, as the plane was equipped with the Panasonic system, whereas Finnair’s domestic flights use the faster ViaSat system.

The cameras available through the in-flight entertainment system were a great touch, offering views of Greenland during the meal service and the Intuit Dome as we were landing at LAX.

Before landing, a lunch service was offered, and I opted for the fig and pecorino cheese pasta, accompanied by a fresh salad and fruit.

 

Conclusion: I highly recommend flying Finnair Business Class on their A350-900. The seat is very comfortable, the food is exceptional, and all the in-seat features are impressively high-tech. The only downside was the slow WiFi, which could be an issue for anyone needing to work. If Finnair were to upgrade to ViaSat or Starlink on their A350-900s, it would be the perfect choice for business travelers who need to stay connected. The service onboard was friendly and a step above the standards.