Finnair launches new business class seat and first-ever premium economy
Oneworld carrier Finnair has launched a brand new business-class seat for its long-haul fleet, as well as introducing premium economy as a brand new class of service.
The Helsinki-based airline on Thursday pulled back the curtain on the new concepts which have been four years in the making, and have seen a $230 million (200 million euro) investment during a challenging pandemic.
First up, business class passengers aboard both the Airbus A350 and A330 aircraft can enjoy the unusual new AirLounge seat designed by award-winning seat manufacturer Collins Aerospace for which Finnair are the launch customer.
It features a fixed shell design, a lay-flat bed with mattress and direct aisle access for all customers in a 1-2-1 configuration. There's also an 18" seat back inflight entertainment screen, do not disturb light, multiple storage areas and center-seat dividers. This unusual design means the seatback does not recline — it will be interesting to see how passengers who enjoy a part-recline option, especially for watching inflight entertainment, react to this idea.
As well as the new seat, business class passengers can be served meals up to six-course on new tableware designed by Harri Koskinen and rest in sleep textiles by famous Finnish designer Marimekko with a Kalasääski pattern.
“Space is today’s luxury, and we have put a lot of thought and attention to detail into creating the best business class seat for our customers. Both the seat and the whole business class experience is centred around customer comfort, space, and choice and is the culmination of our design ethos which will appear throughout our long-haul aircraft to redefine modern premium travel.” Ole Orvér, Finnair Chief Commercial Officer explained.
For the first time in the airline's history, Finnair will also launch premium economy, a class that is becoming increasingly popular with passengers, and lucrative for airlines. The airline will install the brand new Vector Premium seat by HAECO in a 2-4-2 layout on the Airbus A350, and 2-3-2 layout on the Airbus A330.
All seats will have a generous 38 inches of pitch, 8 inches of recline with adjustable headrests, 13-inch IFE screens, full leg rests with a maximum of just 26 seats in the A350 premium economy cabin.
Related: The top 5 premium economy meals in the sky
According to Finnair's Orvér: "The trend for premium travel has significantly accelerated during the pandemic, so we are confident our new Premium Economy travel class will prove very popular with customers looking for an upgraded experience from Economy.”
The economy cabins will also receive a light refresh with larger IFE screens and additional charging options.
The new products will be installed in all 19 Airbus A350 and eight Airbus A330 aircraft in the Finnair fleet by the end of 2023. Two additional factory-fresh A350s will join the fleet in 2024/2025 with the new products to operate from the airline's Helsinki hub.
Finnair CEO Topi Manner remained tight-lipped on the first date and route to see the new products, explaining that the details will be announced from March 1 and the first route is likely to be from Helsinki to Asia, this Spring. He revealed two aircraft are already fitted with the new seats so some passengers may be in for a pleasant surprise sooner, though the full new service concept will not be rolled out until the Spring. Finnair operates some short-haul flights with long-haul configured aircraft which is great news for passengers looking for an easy way to try out the new product.
Finnair has traditionally enjoyed a strong Asian route network, especially to China though this has been severely impacted by the ongoing travel restrictions during the pandemic. As a Oneworld member, Finnair flights can be booked with American Airlines Advantage miles. Finnair flies to Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK).
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.