FINNAIR - new Business Class AirLounge seat

[OZDUCK]

Don't think there is an issue with seat belt really because when lying down just use the belt that covers your knees/ankles and.not the shoulder strap. Also I did this when lounging. I think the footwell is fine and also I like snacking and having some drinkies while lounging on the seat watching movies. I slept fine but agree it can take a bit of getting used to. According to one of the cabin service managers I talked to for quite a while said it's like marmite ...you love it or hate it! I think you get used to it.

I haven't flown it so can't offer an opinion. But in the video he complained about it and unbuckled it when he was lying flat because he felt it was so uncomfortable.

 

[BD1959]

I haven't flown it so can't offer an opinion. But in the video he complained about it and unbuckled it when he was lying flat because he felt it was so uncomfortable.

I have flown it about half-a-dozen times, including 2 weeks ago HKG-HEL. The biggest issue is that it is retractable, so that as you sleep it tightens making natural turning during sleep near-impossible and requiring you to fully wake to adjust the belt.

Regards,

BD

 

[MelbFlyer]

I flew AY100 HK to Helsinki in business this past week and it was an interesting experience.

It was the upgraded / new seat on the A350 and despite the lack of a reclining seat, I found it actually okay.

I managed to get around 6hrs of on-off sleep (ie. Not solid) but for a 14hr flight I was okay with that.

One slight annoyance was the mattress pad - unlike say, Qantas where the mattress pad is hung from the seat head, the one on AY moves around when you toss / turn.

The crew was all HK based (all were speaking Cantonese amongst themselves) which I found was odd - but then again, I've heard that the Singapore route is done by Singaporean based crew.

I then took a flight to Paris from Helsinki and that had Finnish crew.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I've just posted my thoughts on this seat and some pictures in my trip report: The Castle

There's also some useful tips for side-sleepers.

I agree the thigh-level seatbelt intended for use while sleeping was very uncomfortable - primarily because it was retractable and therefore always tight.

Something that could be worn loosely fastened would be better for comfort.

 

[Phoenix-1]

I flew this on 5L and really enjoyed it. I have a few more flights coming up this year - is the extra leg room worth the proximity to the galley/WC? Is the mini cabin any better?

 

[henrus]

Finally got to try the new seat out. I’m very impressed and it feels really private.

I wonder if the only motor part could also be replaced by a manual component? If they could achieve that I guess it’d be an even lighter seat?

For those flying between SYD and SIN on QF I’d actually pick this over the QF aircraft.

 

[Lost Redditor]

Finally got to try the new seat out. I’m very impressed and it feels really private.

I wonder if the only motor part could also be replaced by a manual component? If they could achieve that I guess it’d be an even lighter seat?

For those flying between SYD and SIN on QF I’d actually pick this over the QF aircraft.

I also loved it on my SIN-HEL flight earlier this year. IFE was also superb. For those less mobile I can see how scooting down into sleeping position could be tricky, and the footwell only really works well for sleeping on one side of you're tall.

Neither of those affected me and therefore suited me well. I also shared the seat with a toddler and the extra width was amazing. I could not lie next to my kid in qantas a380 business class

 

[xabialonso]

Finally got to try the new seat out. I’m very impressed and it feels really private.

I wonder if the only motor part could also be replaced by a manual component? If they could achieve that I guess it’d be an even lighter seat?

For those flying between SYD and SIN on QF I’d actually pick this over the QF aircraft.

Couldn't agree more. I flew SIN - HEL in Sep this year and thoroughly enjoyed not just the great seat but also the excellent service from the crew.

 

[tdimdad]

At last, got to trial the seat on QF291. 50% loved it, 50% didn't.

First impressions were that the ergonomics don't work for me. The backrest is on a pre-fixed angle and I'd usually prefer mine straighter up but there was now way to adjust it for a more supportive position. I also struggled to initially find a comfy position for my legs & feet.

At the end, after eight hours, the seat worked really well as a couch watching TV and just chilling out. Being able to sit partially sideways and find different way to curl up was nice. I can also see that the seat would be awesome when travelling with babies or small kids. In fact, right before me there was a family with two tiny ones and they had plenty of room for the kids across total of three seats.

One little thing I liked a lot was the maneuverability of the tray table. The ability to turn it clock/counterclockwise on a pretty wide angle was really nice. Plus, the use of light-coloured wood imitations is pleasing and brings good contrast to the surrounding darker colours.

Short naps are OK but I would not enjoy a long sleep. The footwell was roomy and allowed bending knees when sleeping on the side (facing the window) but when turning around the space was constrained and I couldn't find a comfy position at all. Also, getting up needs an able body or assistance - a strange oversight from the designers.

A puzzling aspect was the leg rest vs space for your feet. If you raise the leg rest up, the piece opposite is on the way and blocks your feet (see the photo). Effectively, you need to go all the way up or stay down.

Would I choose this again? Mid-haul daytime = works beautifully for lounging. Overnight or long-haul = prefer the QF style seat where you can adjust your position much more freely and sleep well (though, this still wins over a PE or Y seat on any flight any day).

 

[BD1959]

I've yet to see anyone comment that they've found this seat supportive of extended working with laptop etc ... I know I struggle with this aspect (or any aspect of an upright, straight posture).

Considering this is situated in AY's J cabin are AY targetting primarily monied leisure travellers (and upgrades) with this?

Regards,

BD

 

[SYD]

I've yet to see anyone comment that they've found this seat supportive of extended working with laptop etc ... I know I struggle with this aspect (or any aspect of an upright, straight posture).

Considering this is situated in AY's J cabin are AY targetting primarily monied leisure travellers (and upgrades) with this?

Regards,

BD

I would imagine it’s ok. The seat isn’t bolt upright and the tray table is adjustable but yes, interesting what others think. Its perfectly fine using a tablet/iPad.

 

[SydneySwan]

I've yet to see anyone comment that they've found this seat supportive of extended working with laptop etc ... I know I struggle with this aspect (or any aspect of an upright, straight posture).

Considering this is situated in AY's J cabin are AY targetting primarily monied leisure travellers (and upgrades) with this?

Regards,

BD

I used a laptop on this seat in August. I don’t remember any issues.

 

[AIRwin]

I submitted the minimum bid for an upgrade which was accepted so I'll get to try it out

 

[Traveln]

I really dislike the J seat on Finnair. Travelled Sin-Hel return. Curling your legs up in their pod, is not an option. Esp if you are older and can't fold your legs easily. There's nowhere to recline and your feet either stay on the ground or you put that piece in place to stretch your legs or sleep. I looked everywhere for the inflight vid about using their fandangled J seat. The bedding is another annoying thing. Once you have put down the underlay and set up your pillows, blanket etc, trying to use that extra piece to make the flat bed and then slide down with the bed is really annoying. The whole kaboodle comes with you as you slide in. Nothing to hook the underlay on. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Someone might be able to enlighten me. I'm a side sleeper and the footwell is not great. Very narrow. Not much room for bag, shoes etc either. The other annoying thing is the new 23kg luggage allowance for J pax. You now have to pay to add another suitcase 23kg. You also have to pay an extra AU$284ish for a seat request in J.
To increase the weight costs even more. I think they are ruining their brand and won't be using them again. Not a good way to treat those who fly J. I know they are cost cutting to keep the airline going but they've wasted their money on the new J seats as far as I'm concerned.

 

[jase05]

The other annoying thing is the new 23kg luggage allowance for J pax. You now have to pay to add another suitcase 23kg. You also have to pay an extra AU$284ish for a seat request in J.

When did this new luggage allowance kick in?
I was looking recently and J was 2x32kg bags as standard with the Business Light fare being the only business fare offering no free checked luggage.

 

[Warragul]

When did this new luggage allowance kick in?
I was looking recently and J was 2x32kg bags as standard with the Business Light fare being the only business fare offering no free checked luggage.

They changed the allowance early in 2023 to 1 x 23 and changed again late in the year to 2x32. Depends when you bought ticket on what you get.

Checked baggage

 

[Flyfrequently]

I really dislike the J seat on Finnair. Travelled Sin-Hel return. Curling your legs up in their pod, is not an option. Esp if you are older and can't fold your legs easily. There's nowhere to recline and your feet either stay on the ground or you put that piece in place to stretch your legs or sleep. I looked everywhere for the inflight vid about using their fandangled J seat. The bedding is another annoying thing. Once you have put down the underlay and set up your pillows, blanket etc, trying to use that extra piece to make the flat bed and then slide down with the bed is really annoying. The whole kaboodle comes with you as you slide in. Nothing to hook the underlay on. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Someone might be able to enlighten me. I'm a side sleeper and the footwell is not great. Very narrow. Not much room for bag, shoes etc either. The other annoying thing is the new 23kg luggage allowance for J pax. You now have to pay to add another suitcase 23kg. You also have to pay an extra AU$284ish for a seat request in J.
To increase the weight costs even more. I think they are ruining their brand and won't be using them again. Not a good way to treat those who fly J. I know they are cost cutting to keep the airline going but they've wasted their money on the new J seats as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the review, confirms my decision to give it a miss @Traveln
And welcome to AFF - happy travels

 

[AIRwin]

I looked everywhere for the inflight vid about using their fandangled J seat.

It's just below "Continue"

 

[bashworth]

My Wife and I flew this seat when it had just been introduced and were both very happy with it.

Seemed abit odd and first but we both got a great sleep.

We have a cruise booked next year finishing in Scandanavia and are already planning to fly Finnair home.

 

[Traveln]

I have also been happy with the current A350 seats, which are very similar to the CX seat, but slightly less space. I am not sure older persons with arthritic joints will enjoy wriggling out of their "nests".

Official video.
Doesn't really show the mechanism though.

Foot cubby seems similar to the Vantage that QF uses.

And another just on the Air Lounge that shows more detail.

Certainly looks like some plusher cushions the way they've done it.

But not good for those who like half recline positions and the like.

Per DJs aviation it's a new Collins Aerospace product, with Finnair as the launch customer.

Thanks for these vids. Funny how they show where your devices go but when it comes to the lady's handbag it transitions to something else. I have to put it into the footwell. Sleeping time - bed made and looking good - lady sits down into position to read, adjust lighting and read sitting up. When it comes to lying down, vid transitions to her lying down and not clear where the underlay/mattress goes. It comes with you as you slide to lie down