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).
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees