AFF Review: Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy (HEL-BKK)

[AFF Editor]

Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy Review (Helsinki-Bangkok) is an article written by Wilson from the AFF editorial team:

Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy Review (Helsinki-Bangkok)

As I discovered on this flight from Helsinki to Bangkok, Finnair's A350-900 Premium Economy is more of an "Economy Plus" than a "Business Lite" experience.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[OZDUCK]

Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy Review (Helsinki-Bangkok) is an article written by Wilson from the AFF editorial team:

Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy Review (Helsinki-Bangkok)

As I discovered on this flight from Helsinki to Bangkok, Finnair's A350-900 Premium Economy is more of an "Economy Plus" than a "Business Lite" experience.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

Based on your flight I would certainly not be rushing into booking into PE on Finnair. My only experience with PE was on Air New Zealand Per -Akl and everything, especially the food, seems to have been much better than on your flight.

 

[clifford]

I'd have to agree with you Wilson.

I've flown PE with SQ (777) and JL (787), both at the bulkhead. Quite comfortable and unlimited legroom, but the service is definitely Y. So not quite an amazing deal for the price.

 

[Hvr]

Earlier this year I flew this plane in PE from BKK-SYD in 21C. I was allocated this seat on booking and couldn't change it.

Never again. The bulkhead seems really close. Maybe it's long legs but the bullhead doesn't offer any benefit for me.

The seat, even when reclined was very uncomfortable. I just couldn't get into a good position no matter how much I contorted myself. Apparently when on Finnair flights there is a special pillow but this is not offered on the QF flights. I had very poor sleep for an hour or so on an overnight flight. I've had more sleep in a full economy cabin on the same route.

The crew service was perfunctory. Here's your food, your drink etc and then they disappeared.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Earlier this year I flew this plane in PE from BKK-SYD in 21C. I was allocated this seat on booking and couldn't change it.

Never again. The bulkhead seems really close. Maybe it's long legs but the bullhead doesn't offer any benefit for me.

The seat, even when reclined was very uncomfortable. I just couldn't get into a good position no matter how much I contorted myself. Apparently when on Finnair flights there is a special pillow but this is not offered on the QF flights. I had very poor sleep for an hour or so on an overnight flight. I've had more sleep in a full economy cabin on the same route.

The crew service was perfunctory. Here's your food, your drink etc and then they disappeared.

I had 31C on the SIN-SYD flight, bulkhead in Y.

I couldn’t touch the wall in front! And I’m 6’3!

I didn’t envy the folk a row in front!

As a side note… many airline seating configurations just don’t make sense. Swissair has no divider between PEY and Y, and there’s about 1.5 metres of space between the two cabins. Space that could easily be used to give PEY and extra 4-5 inches of legroom each.

Dare I say it, before VA crammed in an extra row on their planes, they could habe given business class a couple of extra inches instead of so much space in row 3.

Same could apply to Finnair.

 

[RooFlyer]

@WilsonM did they offer the blueberry juice drink?

 

[WilsonM]

Earlier this year I flew this plane in PE from BKK-SYD in 21C

I'd note this is the A350 - I have no idea if there's actual differences between PE on the A330 vs the A350 though.

Apparently when on Finnair flights there is a special pillow but this is not offered on the QF flights

They offer a reverse neck pillow that can sort of strap through to the headrest and keeps you from falling forward/down, which I think is not offered on QF. But tbh I found it to be pretty useless (hence I didn't use it).

@WilsonM did they offer the blueberry juice drink?

Yep! For me, it's okay but not amazing, so I didn't partake with other options available. I often have it on AY short-haul as it's between this and water

 

[Doddler]

Certainly sounds considerably worse than QF PE on the 787. That's 2-3-2 in a slightly narrower cabin with better food & drinks. I doubt very much I'd be paying the price for the Finnair offering based on this review.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Certainly sounds considerably worse than QF PE on the 787. That's 2-3-3 in a slightly narrower cabin with better food & drinks. I doubt very much I'd be paying the price for the Finnair offering based on this review.

QF’s PE is class leading. If only they added a few more inches pitch it would be outstanding.

 

[AMK]

Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy Review (Helsinki-Bangkok) is an article written by Wilson from the AFF editorial team:

Finnair A350-900 Premium Economy Review (Helsinki-Bangkok)

As I discovered on this flight from Helsinki to Bangkok, Finnair's A350-900 Premium Economy is more of an "Economy Plus" than a "Business Lite" experience.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

100% spot on review, I’ve flown SYD-BKK regularly as my daughter lives in Thailand and I’ve generally been lucky enough to successfully upgrade to J class. I missed out late last year and had to fly PE and it truly is more economy than Bus Lite.

 

[clifford]

QF’s PE is class leading. If only they added a few more inches pitch it would be outstanding.

I think JL's is better (apart from the food), from experience. Better seats, more leg room

 

[MELso]

Having just flown AY in J from SIN-HEL, their J product is, lie-flat seat aside, a PE product with a pitiful amenity kit and fairly ordinary single tray meal service (the flight departs late but even so…).

If their PE soft product is more akin to Y, then their Y soft product is skating close to LCC territory (according to my dad and his partner). Two very small meals from HEL-SIN (with no choice), free soft drink and buy anything else on board. He wasn’t impressed, particularly given that QF plied plenty of food and beverage on the MEL-SIN leg.

 

[Muppet501st]

Flew SYD-BKK, upgraded from Y to Y+ and was allocated the bulkhead seats. All good.
On the return, ticket wasnt upgradeable , but man, seemed to be less legroom than on JQ neos. Im 6'2" and found Y seat so uncomfortable, never again.