A trip of firsts : EMD-BNE-SIN-HEL-TXL return

[craven morehead]

Looks exciting - I like new adventures so tagging along

Thanks VPS I'm definitely knocking over a few more firsts than usual on this trip even for a modestly well travelled person

 

[craven morehead]

So the seventh first for me on this trip is it is my first time in Finland albeit only 5 hours in transit. My flight from SIN got in 40 minutes early which turned out to be a blessing. Within half hour of clearing immigration and finding the lounge the place was absolutely packed between say 7.00 - 8.30. The lounge is quite nice but for peak periods it is horribly underdone for toilets and only has 2 showers. It was a six deep line up trying to get into the mens. Anyway I've attached what is probably way too many photos but you'll get a good idea of the long and spacious lounge with different zones and pretty much the entire lounge is exposed to tarmac views.

 

[craven morehead]

More lounge pics ........

 

[craven morehead]

One thing the lounge is not lacking is work spaces with power outlets and phone recharge stations absolutely everywhere ..

 

[craven morehead]

The lunch offering had just been put out as i was heading for my next flight ....

 

[craven morehead]

Eighth first ......... flying on an A321 for the HEL-TXL leg.



I saw this clean green transport machine just behind the check-in counter

 

[Cossie]

That is the Schengen lounge isn't it? It was packed a couple of weeks ago when we were there. On the way back you should have access to the lounges in the non Schengen area after passport exit control.
Much better lounges, although they can both be a bit full at times as well. They also have a sauna, but time constraints have meant I've been unable to use it so far.

 

[Major]

That lounge has that bright, relaxing look to it. Some lounges are very dark and dingy.

 

[craven morehead]

That is the Schengen lounge isn't it? It was packed a couple of weeks ago when we were there. On the way back you should have access to the lounges in the non Schengen area after passport exit control.
Much better lounges, although they can both be a bit full at times as well. They also have a sauna, but time constraints have meant I've been unable to use it so far.

Yes it is, I though I had read somewhere that there was a sauna available. See how I go for time

 

[craven morehead]

That lounge has that bright, relaxing look to it. Some lounges are very dark and dingy.

I would have to concur Major definitely bright (even allowing for the weather) and open and very relaxing.

 

[craven morehead]

So the quick sub 2 hour trip across to TXL : The usual Euro J set up with curtains right behind row 1 today.



No surprises with the weather.



A nice feed of Cod, potato and spinach washed down with .... of all things, an Australian De Bortoli Shiraz. What else would they serve on a Finnish airline lol.

 

[OZDUCK]

I had the same De Bortoli Shiraz on my Dub - Hel flight on AY in June - like you I was very surprised to receive it. How did your legs go in Row 1? On the 3 hour flight to Dublin I was very cramped by the end. For the return flight I swapped with my wife for the seat behind (both window seats) - she swore she would not swap again!

The Schengin lounge in Helsinki was very crowded for my morning flight as well. The non-Schengen was much quieter. However it did seem very busy about 1300 when we dropped our cabin bags off in a locker for a trip into town. It was quiet again late in the evening but the food options were very poor.

 

[craven morehead]

I had the same De Bortoli Shiraz on my Dub - Hel flight on AY in June - like you I was very surprised to receive it. How did your legs go in Row 1? On the 3 hour flight to Dublin I was very cramped by the end. For the return flight I swapped with my wife for the seat behind (both window seats) - she swore she would not swap again!

The Schengin lounge in Helsinki was very crowded for my morning flight as well. The non-Schengen was much quieter. However it did seem very busy about 1300 when we dropped our cabin bags off in a locker for a trip into town. It was quiet again late in the evening but the food options were very poor.

OZDUCK I'm only 5'8" so the leg space was bearable. I do pity you taller people in this situation when you are paying good money for the comfort factor.

I also think the Schengen lounge food options were surprisingly basic. My flight ex-HEL on the way home departs at midnight so thinking it shouldn't be too crowded in the non-Schengen lounge and I might have time for sauna.

 

[OZDUCK]

OZDUCK I'm only 5'8" so the leg space was bearable. I do pity you taller people in this situation when you are paying good money for the comfort factor.

I also think the Schengen lounge food options were surprisingly basic. My flight ex-HEL on the way home departs at midnight so thinking it shouldn't be too crowded in the non-Schengen lounge and I might have time for sauna.

I wouldn't bother booking this "Euro Business" on its own but as, like your flight, this was part of a longer trip and I got it as a "sale fare" it was ok.

Our flight to Sin left about midnight and we got back into the non-Schengen lounge at about 21:00 and there was plenty of room. I think there were only a couple of long haul flights to Sin and HK around midnight - still bright outside. I didn't have a sauna but did have a very nice shower. It is a very comfortable lounge for lazing - if not eating.

I am looking forward to your posts on the Berlin part of your trip.

 

[craven morehead]

Playing catch up : Now safely ensconced in Berlin and staying at the Sofitel Berlin Kurfurstendamm.

 

[craven morehead]

View from the 11th floor club lounge last night at 8pm



Later on a few quiet beers at a restaurant at the base of the hotel.



My favourite German beer is Erdinger weissbier however this was not available here so the Paulaner weissbier had to do

 

[Austman]

So the quick sub 2 hour trip across to TXL : The usual Euro J set up with curtains right behind row 1 today.

Having done dozens, perhaps 100s of those types of flights in Europe (including on AY), that's about as good as it gets! I found it fine. It's not the seat/leg room. It's all the other stuff - check-in, lounge, luggage, food, drinks etc that make the difference.

 

[kermatu]

I wouldn't bother booking this "Euro Business" on its own but as, like your flight, this was part of a longer trip and I got it as a "sale fare" it was ok.

Our flight to Sin left about midnight and we got back into the non-Schengen lounge at about 21:00 and there was plenty of room. I think there were only a couple of long haul flights to Sin and HK around midnight - still bright outside. I didn't have a sauna but did have a very nice shower. It is a very comfortable lounge for lazing - if not eating.

I am looking forward to your posts on the Berlin part of your trip.

I've also taken the midnight flights out of HEL and the lounges are definitely quiet (premium and regular). Very nice.

 

[craven morehead]

It's all the other stuff - check-in, lounge, luggage, food, drinks etc that make the difference.

Most definitely agree with this

 

[mmchow]

it has been fun reading all your first and looking forward to the rest of it.