Review of Finnair flight from Amsterdam to Helsinki in Premium Eco

FIN

AY - Finnair

Flight taken on 16 April 2022
AY1302
11:55 02h 20m 15:15
Class Premium Eco
Seat 21L
NewYorker
1,642 · 89 · 8 · 9

introduction


Greetings everyone, and a very warm welcome to this new flight report! This is the second-to-last installment of my current series, covering a recent trip to The Netherlands, by way of Zurich and Innsbruck. I'm especially happy to share this report with you all, as it's the very first review of Finnair's new longhaul cabins here on Flight-Report.com! The fact that I was able to fly aboard their new Premium Economy was an added bonus to what was already shaping up to be an awesome flight. In addition to being a shorthaul flight operated by a widebody aircraft, this flight would be my first A330 flight since 2018, as well as my very first flight with Finnair!


Let's get into it: join me as I make my way back to Austria, via Finland!


trip information


I'm revealing the routing of this trip as it progresses, though I'm sure that with this report the last route will be fairly easy to guess ? Be sure to check out the previous reports if you've missed them!



photo screen-shot-2022-05-12-at-175218

There were a couple of options to get from Amsterdam to Vienna: via Dublin with Ryanair for €130, nonstop with KLM for €155, or via Helsinki with Finnair for €160. Austrian's nonstop priced around €220. Once I saw that Finnair's AMS-HEL segment would be operated by an A330, I knew that that was the right decision. Also, what kind of true AvGeek would fly nonstop when there's an option to fly through a new airport completely out of the way?? Additionally, I would earn some AAdvantage miles from this journey. A widebody, a new airline, a new airport, and some AA miles? An absolute win. Little did I know, I would also end up being among the first group of passengers to try out Finnair's new Premium Economy product - for no extra charge.


the morning of departure


While my flight wasn't departing until noon, I got up at 4:40 to drop my friends off at Rotterdam Airport for their flight back to Innsbruck. After watching their Transavia 737-800 take off into the beautiful Dutch sunrise, I headed to Rotterdam Centraal for breakfast at Starbucks.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113410

I caught the 9:11 AM Intercity Direct train to Schiphol and had a whole baggage rack for my suitcase.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113436photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113443

As I was on the train, I checked the Finnair app to see if any seats in the Premium Economy cabin had opened up - huge props to Finnair for allowing passengers to change seats after having checked in. Premium Economy wasn't being sold as a separate cabin on my flight. When I checked in on the app 2 days earlier, the entire Premium Economy cabin was blocked. I had checked the app on virtually an hourly basis since that point hoping that a seat would open up. When it was still blocked/full on the morning of departure, I figured that I'd have to suck it up at seat 33A. Just for fun, as I sat on the train to Schiphol, I checked the app again, and lo and behold: seat 21L, a bulkhead window seat of the starboard side of the Premium Economy cabin had open up. I was over the moon and immediately switched seats. What a great start to my Finnair journey!


After a brief and comfortable 25-minute journey, I arrived at my favorite airport in Europe, and found myself at Schiphol Plaza.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113507photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113515photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113525

amsterdam airport schiphol (ams)


Schiphol was packed as ever, and fearing a very long security line I decided against visiting the KLM Fokker 100 at the spotter's terrace.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113549-93499

I headed upstairs, and the line for security was indeed massive.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113603

Massive as it was, the line moved fairly quickly, and around 30 minutes later I was airside.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113624

With no lounge access, I decided to head straight to the gate and wait for my flight there.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113642photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113711

In the distance, the Austrian A320 that I could have flown on for €60 more was taxiing to the runway for its departure to Vienna.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113702

My flight would be departing from gate D60.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113723photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113734photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113746

As I arrived at the gate, I caught my first glimpse of the gorgeous bird that would fly me northeast to Helsinki. Doing the honors would be OH-LTP, a 2009-built Airbus A330-302 that had been delivered new to Finnair in June of that year.


photo screen-shot-2022-04-19-at-151145photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113808

boarding + initial impressions


I caught up on the news while waiting for the flight after being relatively offline for the past week, and soon enough it was time to board.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113822photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113831

Moments from boarding my first Finnair flight, I was super excited! ?


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113842photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113902

Two flight attendants stood by the entry door enthusiastically greeting everyone. After being handed a "Clean Kit", I was pointed to the second aisle and right.


First impressions of the Premium Economy cabin…


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113923photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113932photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114000-82831-74418

…and my seat, 21L


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-113943

To begin the seat tour, there were universal power outlets between the seats. These were also equipped with USB-A ports, though I don't recall seeing USB-C ports anywhere.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114019

On the right side of the center console was a remote for the inflight entertainment system. The screens are also touchscreens, though at the bulkhead it's a bit of a stretch to reach it. I have 3 minor critiques about the new cabins, one of which is the placement of the remote: it feels just a bit too low and slightly far to reach when sitting up straight.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114037photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114243

Each seat was also equipped with a comfy movable headrest…


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114115-93148-85415photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114123

…and a reading light attached to it.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114133

My second critique of the seat is perhaps the most bizarre: these unmarked buttons are actually what control the recline and legrest. There was no marking of this anywhere, so I just guessed that they were the seat controls. What's more, I kept confusing which button controlled recline and which controlled the footrest throughout the flight, which was annoying.


I chatted a bit with one of the flight attendants during boarding, and she also agreed that it was confusing.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114142

The center armrests were large and padded…


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114416

…and in them, you'd find the large faux-wood tray table.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114422photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114430

The legroom in row 21 was phenomenal, as expected.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114209

In the seatback pocket, there was nothing but the safety instructions card and an airsickness bag.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114053photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114059

Modern Airbus PSU. Props to Finnair for installing individual air nozzles at every seat!


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114230

As I mentioned above, I chatted with a lovely flight attendant during boarding (who ended up working my area). She explained the features of the seat and was clearly proud of the new cabins. I told her that I routed all the way through Helsinki just to fly on an A330 and a new airline, and didn't even expect to be able to seated in the Premium Economy cabin. Then she promised to do her best to make my introduction to Finnair a great experience. It's the little things like that that make a flight even more special, and she was certainly a great ambassador for Finnair!


As the boarding process continued, I took a look at the inflight entertainment system.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114223

It started by playing a welcome video featuring the new cabins.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114251photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114300

The system hadn't quite rebooted, and was still showing information from the inbound flight.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114310

There was a fantastic of movies and TV shows to choose from…


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114319

…though as any true AvGeek would, I checked out the airshow first. This was my first time seeing Panasonic's Arc system, which was wonderfully detailed as well as intuitive.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114340photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114348

I also checked out the nosecam and kept that on until after takeoff. Unfortunately there was no way to make the camera footage full screen, which I found to be a bit annoying.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114328

As boarding wrapped up, I opened my Clean Kit to see what was inside.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114151photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114439

It included two types of sanitizing wipes - the best hygiene amenities I had seen since Covid after the kit that Turkish Airlines offered me back in April 2021.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114456

Stellar wing view from my seat. At the gate next to us, a KLM A330-300 was preparing for its flight to Washington-Dulles. Just behind us, a gorgeous United 767-300 was pushing back before operating Flight UA21 to Houston.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114359

finnair 1302 - amsterdam to helsinki


Once "boarding completed" was announced, I took a haphazard peek into the new Business Class cabin. It looked pretty cool from afar, though I'm not sure I'm crazy about the idea of a non-reclining business class seat. I'll have to sample it out myself one day!


On another note: I liked the navy blue walls Finnair installed in the galley.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114512

As we pushed back from our gate, the safety video screened, and the crew handed out earbuds.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114549photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114604photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114524

Beginning our long taxi to Runway 36L: the Polderbaan.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114615

Passing KLM Cityhopper's Embraer farm.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114630

Crossing over the A5 highway.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114651

KLM as far as the eye can see!


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114704

Taxiing over a cute little canal as we neared the runway.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114722

departure from amsterdam


Lining up.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114735

At 12:15 PM, our two mighty CF6 engines growled to life, and we began our takeoff roll.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114742

Airborne.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114750

Climbing out.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114759

Had it not been so hazy, I imagine we would have had a pretty nice view of Amsterdam in the distance.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114805photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114812

Cabin after departure. I guess that Finnair must have unblocked the cabin shortly before departure, as apart from me and the man in the A seat, row 21 remained completely empty.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114821

Making a right turn after departure. Tot ziens, Nederland! See you soon!


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114834

Takeoff video:



drink + buy on board service


Shortly after the seatbelt sign was extinguished, the crew began with the service. There was no printed buy-on-board menu, and instead there were only a few options I found listed in the entertainment system, none of which were hot. For what it's worth, Finnair's website like to this menu online, and I was looking forward to ordering Pasta Carbonara onboard, though that wasn't an option.


Instead, I bought a very tasty Finnish chocolate bar for €2.50.


To drink, Finnair offers water and blueberry juice for free. It pays to have friends from all over the world, as a certain Finnish friend of mine told me that I absolutely must try the blueberry juice on Finnair, as it's a Finnish classic. I was skeptical at first, but when the aforementioned flight attendant relayed the same message, I figured I better give it a try.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114925

The blueberry juice was wonderful, and it has inspired me to travel to Finland someday to find out what other culinary secrets the country has! ??


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114933

mid-flight


While snacking, I watched the Hong Kong episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, which made me miss Asia immensely. Hopefully I'll be able to visit again soon!


At that point, we were over the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114915

Looking down to what I believe is a part of the Jutland peninsula. I've never been to Scandinavia before, so it was awesome to see so many new places from above!


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114945photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114951

After my episode of Parts Unknown ended, I took a stroll through the cabin. The economy cabin was quite full, but also looked like it would offer a comfy ride.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115004

Back at my nest, here's a picture of the seat in the full recline position. That's my third and final critique of the product: it doesn't recline all that much, which is a bit of a shame.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-114904-54353-23657

arrival into helsinki


I slept for the last hour of the flight and woke up as the captain provided an announcement regarding our arrival. We were already descending.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115024photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115035

My very first sighting of Finnish soil! I hope to be back to explore more than just Helsinki Airport sometime soon!


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115051

Watching the nosecam during our final descent.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115109

On final.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115122photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115144

Over the airport…


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115150

…and a smooth touchdown on Runway 4R at 3:21 PM, 6 minutes late, after a flight time of 2 hours and 6 minutes.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115200photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115208

Landing video:



Passing some smaller Finnair aircraft: the Embraer in the foreground had just arrived from Oslo, while the ATR was being prepped for its next flight to Kuopio.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115218

Pulling into our gate.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115228

One last look at my home of the past 2.5ish hours.


photo screen-shot-2022-05-11-at-115237

routing + conclusion


photo screen-shot-2022-06-19-at-212804

After bidding farewell to the lovely crew, I headed into the terminal to begin my transit in Helsinki. Stay tuned for the final installment to read about that!

Display all

Product ratings

Airline

Finnair 9.0

  • Cabin9.5 / 10
  • Cabin crew10.0 / 10
  • Entertainment/wifi10.0 / 10
  • Meal/catering6.5 / 10
Departure airport

Amsterdam - AMS9.3

  • Efficiency8.5 / 10
  • Access10.0 / 10
  • Services10.0 / 10
  • Cleanliness8.5 / 10
Arrival Airport

Helsinki - HEL8.8

  • Efficiency9.0 / 10
  • Access9.0 / 10
  • Services8.0 / 10
  • Cleanliness9.0 / 10

Conclusion

I was very pleasantly surprised by my first flight with Finnair. Their new cabins are wonderful and overall they seem like a great airline! And for an economy class ticket in Europe, there's definitely no better value for money than what I experienced.

+ Free seat selection in the Premium Economy cabin
+ Great new cabins
+ Fantastic, personable crew
+ Lots of entertainment options
- Relatively poor buy-on-board options

Despite the limited food options and the minor issues I had with the seat, I enjoyed everything about this flight. I look forward to a lot more flying with Finnair in the future!

Did you enjoy reading this?

Let the author know by sharing a clap! It will be greatly appreciated!

9 Clap

NewYorker 's latest reviews

Comments (8)

  • One of my favourite European airlines, love flying Finnair and seeing the reports on them. Looks like you had a nice flight on the A330!

  • Awesome report, thanks for that! Finnair is, too, on my bucket list, fingers crossed :)

    Greetings

  • Nice! Awesome to see a report on Finnair's new Premium Economy! I like that it doesn't look as generic as most carriers' Premium Economy cabins which all feel like copies of each other these days with basically the same seat model. Finnair seats seem plusher and the calf-rest looks sturdy and actually useful, whereas they seem like after thoughts on many carriers since they don't go high enough to actually get your feet off the ground of you're more than 5'6" lol. Shame about the recline, but then again, recline in Premium Economy is never very good.

    As a oneworld loyalist, I'd really love to try out the new Finnair cabins at some point!

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Hey Kevin, thanks for your comments! Yes indeed, Finnair seems to have chosen a unique seat, which I also like. I've never actually flown any other "real" Premium Economy product, so it's hard for me to compare, though the seat was absolutely plush and the calf-rest was definitely useful for my 5'8" frame ?

      Hope you get to try out the product soon!

      Thanks again for stopping by and all the best to you! ?

  • Thanks for sharing! A fairly smooth experience despite some minor glitches. AY's W product looks quite comfortable.

    LYSflyer

Login to post a comment.
Hi, it seems that you are using an ad blocker.

Flight-Report is a free website hosting more than 500 000 pictures and 17 000 reviews, without ads, this website can't exist.
We understand that ads can be annoying, this is why we only display a maximum of 2 non-invasive ads per page.
 
To continue using Flight-Report, we invite you to add Flight-Report to your blocker's "white list".
 

I have added Flight-Report on my white list

 
How to add Flight-Report to my white list?