Finnair J ex-BKK to Europe from AU$2000

[DrAndyC]

As an Australian Finn I fly AY quite a lot whenever I go to Europe (so I can visit family / friends in HEL enroute). The A350 product is quite sound and Finnair ply an A350 between LHR and HEL daily too. Just booked a BKK-LHR for $2050 with A350 all the way in J. Absolute bargain. Their inflight internet (free in J) was exceptionally fast over northern europe as well....I was quite surprised given the variability that sometimes occurs with these wifi offerings.

 

[wandering_fred]

The other inexpensive option - UL - has flights from just under AU$2600 (I class 3 month) and more commonly just under AU$3000 (D class) BKK-CMB-LHR Random dates in Sep 16

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[mtbsafari]

I flew AY J in May BKK-HEL-CPH-(HEL)-BKK. I purchased one of these discount fares, at the time around AUD2,300.

The flights out of BKK are all on new A350s (which is configured the same as the CX flight I took in January BKK to HKG). Very comfortable although not super spacious. I found food etc to be much better than the standard AY flights I have taken previously. The crew seemed to be very proud of their new aircraft ad went to great lengths to make me comfortable.

The AY flights in Europe are much more basic. For business class you normally just get an empty seat between you on the window and the passenger on the aisle. Otherwise it is an economy seat.

I agree with Clifford that the AY lounges in HEL are on the small side and are usually crowded. In the case of my last trip I didn't even bother going in. There were more people in the lounge than outside. This is something Finnavia and Finnair need to fix.

As for QFF SCs, I got full business class SCs. For the BKK-HEL sector, I got 120 SCs and for HEL-CPH sector, I got 40SCs. So 320SCs all up.

I also opted for a discounted economy fare on QF from SYD-BKK-SYD at around AUD650. So the total trip was under AUD3,000.

Please note that the connection times between QF and AY through BKK are not ideal. I opted to stopover in BKK both directions. Hotels are cheap there at the moment, so it wasn't a big cost - and it gave me a few days in BKK, a city I love.

 

[Happy Trails]

We've jumped in and booked a couple of tickets to LHR next June for around A$2100 each.
Worth noting that they offer a 72 hour hold at the quoted price for THB990 which is forfeit if the booking isn't completed.

 

[coriander]

As for QFF SCs, I got full business class SCs. For the BKK-HEL sector, I got 120 SCs and for HEL-CPH sector, I got 40SCs. So 320SCs all up.

Interesting.
MEL-SYD-BKK in J return would be 320 SCs.
So SG requalification in one trip (except..... I've just realised that the dates of my planned trip span my membership anniversary date :shock.

 

[Viridianne]

This calls for an AMS trip to see relos and Keukonhof :mrgreen: (It shows up as under $1900 to AMS)


Maybe I'll get to meet Bert and Ernie?!

 

[coriander]

In today's AusBT:
Best business class seats Finnair Airbus A350 - Australian Business Traveller
and also
Review: Finnair Airbus A350 business class (Hong Kong-Helsinki-Hong Kong) - Airlines | flights | hotels | travel tech | style | apps - Australian Business Traveller

 

[coriander]

We pulled the trigger on AY "business campaign" fare today: CX MEL - HKG, AY HKG - HEL - CPH returning AY VIE - HEL - HKG, CX HKG - MEL all in J for $5600.

Happy as a clam.

Now, where to sit on the CX A330 and AY 350?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Now, where to sit on the CX A330 and AY 350?

CX is easy - row 16, 17 or 18 A or K (take two windows, one behind the other). The second galley isn't used on AU flights and its a very quiet part of the aircraft.

I still recommend against the two middle seats, even for couples. Had two reports back in the last few days that the benefits of the centre seats don't off-set those of the window.

 

[coriander]

CX is easy - row 16, 17 or 18 A or K (take two windows, one behind the other). The second galley isn't used on AU flights and its a very quiet part of the aircraft.

Thanks, Richard. TA has emailed that she's allocated 15/16A on CX and 3/4A on AY (as historically Mrs C and I have always aimed for mid-cabin). As Mrs C and I have been together for 34 years, we don't feel the need to sit beside each other for a few hours, with one person not having a window seat as a result.

I might ask TA to move us back a row on CX.

 

[2tall4Y]

In the past I have booked AY ticketed J fares to TXL through a TA, but for our next trip I booked a JL ticketed fare on QF and AY metal through Expedia. Worked out to be about $5,500 per adult, a bit cheaper than if ticketed by AY, but the main benefit was that the SYD-HND and HND-SYD sectors are on a QF code, earning me an extra 120 SCs - previously my TA had quoted an extra ~$500 for the SYD-Asia (and return) sectors to be on a QF, rather than AY code on a AY ticketed fare, so I am very happy.

The only downside is that I had to waste half an hour calling Finnair to get the Finnair PNR to able to select seats online (my understanding is that JL use a different booking system).

We pulled the trigger on AY "business campaign" fare today: CX MEL - HKG, AY HKG - HEL - CPH returning AY VIE - HEL - HKG, CX HKG - MEL all in J for $5600.

Happy as a clam.

Now, where to sit on the CX A330 and AY 350?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks, Richard. TA has emailed that she's allocated 15/16A on CX and 3/4A on AY (as historically Mrs C and I have always aimed for mid-cabin). As Mrs C and I have been together for 34 years, we don't feel the need to sit beside each other for a few hours, with one person not having a window seat as a result.

I might ask TA to move us back a row on CX.

My top tip for CX seats (reverse herringbone) which I've mentioned before is to plonk yourself down in your favourite chair for watching telly/relaxing... take a note if your body is angled slightly to the left of right. Use that data point to select your seat on CX or AY. If you naturally angle to the left at home choose the same facing seat on the plane (the A seats). If you sit to the right, choose a K seat. Otherwise if you sit the wrong way on the plane it can feel a bit unnatural and you kind of have your shoulders or elbows hard up against the seat frame... s a bit like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.