FINNAIR - new Business Class AirLounge seat

[Traveln]

It's just below "Continue"
View attachment 370993

@AIRwin thanks for heads up. I meant that the inflight entertainment doesn't show how to use their J seat and the associated buttons, storage, lie down bed mechanism etc. Think I have seen 'how to use J seats' on a Qantas flight vid. It was helpful when I had never travelled J before. Good to see it now - after flying with them

 

[MelbFlyer]

I think the general consensus of this business class seat seems to be generally average to negative.

I can understand the desire for a traditional reclining capable seat (I'd personally probably prefer this too), but the advantage / offset is a wider overall seat.

I personally enjoyed it as it was very private and the sleeping surface was easily at least an arm's width wider due to the seat being fixed.

Probably the only odd observation was that where your head rests when sleeping, even despite a pillow and seat cover being there - it is where everyone's backsides sits when they're upright.

At least with a traditional seat, your head rests where other heads rest.

For the duration of the flight (I was on AY100 HKG to HEL - 14hrs+), catering could have been better (ie. everything was served on the one tray instead of coming out course by course) and overall service could have better, but you can't win all the time.

If I was going to Europe again, I'd still consider AY business due to better rewards availability (compared to BA and CX), however if there was a direct flight on either BA (1-2-1 on the 777 only - not the 2-3/4-2 layout) or CX, I'd pick those instead.

 

[SYD]

Probably the only odd observation was that where your head rests when sleeping, even despite a pillow and seat cover being there - it is where everyone's backsides sits when they're upright.

At least with a traditional seat, your head rests where other heads rest.

Hmm, I’d not thought about that before and now can’t get it out of my mind…

Fortunately they’re not flying out of DPS. That could be extra nasty….

 

[MelbFlyer]

Hmm, I’d not thought about that before and now can’t get it out of my mind…

Fortunately they’re not flying out of DPS. That could be extra nasty….

It was probably one of the first things I thought about before redeeming!

I know it's covered by a seat cover and there's a pillow, but yes the thought is "just there".

I'd take it again if there were no direct BA or CX options (using QFF points).

AY business even despite its drawbacks and potentially longer overall trip time is still better than BA / CX / Any other airline in economy / premium economy.

 

[Skyring]

I had two flights - BKK-HEL-BKK - last year and enjoyed the seat immensely. I'm flying back to Finland in a few days and will have three sectors (one the QF wet-lease) in this seat.

Heaps of room, except in the footwell. I very much prefer the restful decor and textured surfaces, as opposed to (say) the brightness of Emirates or the "clubby" Qantas.

There are heaps of video reports about the seat, certainly worth checking out before booking a flight. Not for everyone, I guess, but what a dull world it would be if we all liked the same stuff and all thought the same way.

 

[Warragul]

The foot well in the first row of seats, where there is no support pole to impede the feet, had ample foot space for me (180cm tall). A downside to the seat is the lack of a partial recline position which would help in alleviating a numb backside after hours of sitting but not wanting to lie flat. The roominess is great.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I had two flights - BKK-HEL-BKK - last year and enjoyed the seat immensely. I'm flying back to Finland in a few days and will have three sectors (one the QF wet-lease) in this seat.

Heaps of room, except in the footwell. I very much prefer the restful decor and textured surfaces, as opposed to (say) the brightness of Emirates or the "clubby" Qantas.

There are heaps of video reports about the seat, certainly worth checking out before booking a flight. Not for everyone, I guess, but what a dull world it would be if we all liked the same stuff and all thought the same way.

Looking forward to your TR @Skyring and your take on the QF wet lease sector noting if any differences.
And hope your charm works with the mid- flight seat swap✈

 

[Skyring]

Looking forward to your TR @Skyring and your take on the QF wet lease sector noting if any differences.
And hope your charm works with the mid- flight seat swap✈

I think the differences have already been noted in other threads, notably that Qantas supplies the bedding for the seats from their own supplies, and that doesn't quite work with the Finnair seat. I do wonder if there will be PJs, though!

As for charm, I think that belongs entirely with my friend and the J cabin crew won't want to give her back!

We'll both have to wait a week or so to see what happens. Whatever, I'm determined to enjoy it!

 

[Lynda2475]

notably that Qantas supplies the bedding for the seats from their own supplies, and that doesn't quite work with the Finnair seat.

IME even when flying on a Finnair flight with the bedding designed for the seat it doesn't really work well. The mattress topper has noting to keep it in place, it just lies on the seat and so when you move it moves and you end up rolling onto the seat sans topper.

 

[clifford]

Just flew an AY A350 HEL-BKK in J a couple of days ago and thought it was fine. Slept for quite a few hours on this long flight, and the Finnish FA's were really wonderful, and the trainee Thai FA's were fine also. Nothing not to like.

 

[Warragul]

I think the differences have already been noted in other threads, notably that Qantas supplies the bedding for the seats from their own supplies, and that doesn't quite work with the Finnair seat. I do wonder if there will be PJs, though!

As for charm, I think that belongs entirely with my friend and the J cabin crew won't want to give her back!

We'll both have to wait a week or so to see what happens. Whatever, I'm determined to enjoy it!

Flew SYD-BKK on QF 295 last Sunday, PJs were handed out. This did not occur until after take off though which had some people in a tizz. Whether this timing was by design not sure as the service was a bit patchy. Pretty sure the Thai AY crew were learning ' on the fly' as it were, two plain clothed QF staffers were helping out from time to time.

I think this was the first BKK flight by AY for QF.

 

[smckay]

I just experienced the AY J seat and can’t say I am a fan.
The first leg was Haneda to Helsinki, which was a 13 hour flight leaving at 21:50.
Having just got off a 10 hour QF flight on an A330 I was pretty tired, so no meal, just a beer and then settled down.
In 3L the feet space was just too thin. I am a restless sleeper so toss and turn. My feet were just banging into the end of the seat or that rotten pole. And although I’m 6 foot, I reckon a taller Finnish person would be jammed in at each end when lying at full stretch.
The hardness of the seat and leg area really shows up when you are trying to sleep - there is no give at all.
As noted by Lynda, the mattress topper is just placed on the top. I managed to roll it into a ball along with the pillow case.
The seat belt also retracts and tends to lock you in.
The next flight was a day flight of 2 hours. For this I did enjoy the seat. I find the QF seat to be a pain to try to set up for a recline with my legs supported. Being able to curl my legs up without hitting any hardware was good.
7/10 for me.

 

[Warragul]

I just experienced the AY J seat and can’t say I am a fan.
The first leg was Haneda to Helsinki, which was a 13 hour flight leaving at 21:50.
Having just got off a 10 hour QF flight on an A330 I was pretty tired, so no meal, just a beer and then settled down.
In 3L the feet space was just too thin. I am a restless sleeper so toss and turn. My feet were just banging into the end of the seat or that rotten pole. And although I’m 6 foot, I reckon a taller Finnish person would be jammed in at each end when lying at full stretch.
The hardness of the seat and leg area really shows up when you are trying to sleep - there is no give at all.
As noted by Lynda, the mattress topper is just placed on the top. I managed to roll it into a ball along with the pillow case.
The seat belt also retracts and tends to lock you in.
The next flight was a day flight of 2 hours. For this I did enjoy the seat. I find the QF seat to be a pain to try to set up for a recline with my legs supported. Being able to curl my legs up without hitting any hardware was good.
7/10 for me.

Similar feelings from me, seat 2L for BKK-HEL, the lack of the support spar in the foot well makes a big difference to the foot space, but the mattress topper and the lack of a position in between upright and lie flat was annoying. I usually only sleep 2 -3 hours at most on the long haul night flights.

For SYD-BKK, interestingly had no beef with the seat, maybe because it was a day flight (same as my body clock) and sitting upright, or with legs tucked up suited well. Did not want to lie flat other than to give it a go.

Do appreciate the A350 quiet cabin.

 

[smckay]

Do appreciate the A350 quiet cabin.

Totally agree. First time on an A350 and impressed all over.

 

[MH_fan]

I love Finnair's AirLounge seat. I love how wide it is and it's great for side sleepers like me. Just did 13 hours on their A350 from HKG to HEL and I slept well, continuously and solidly for almost 8 hours of it! Sat in 2L, which has a larger footwell. The lack of recline doesn't bother me at all. My only complaint is that the pillows provided are a bit too small. They provide 2 pillows but need a 3rd to make up for the lack of recline. Otherwise, I love the A350!

 

[Lynda2475]

and it's great for side sleepers like me

As a side sleeper I was unimpressed; and you need to pick side of the plane carefully as the layout means you can only sleep on one side.

 

[Daver6]

As a side sleeper I was unimpressed; and you need to pick side of the plane carefully as the layout means you can only sleep on one side.

I'm a side sleeper. One side is definitely better than the other, but still managed both without issue.

 

[MH_fan]

I'm a side sleeper. One side is definitely better than the other, but still managed both without issue.

Same with me. That's why I like the seat because it's wide enough for both. Those reverse Herringbone ones are definitely the ones you have to pick if you hsve a preferred side you sleep on.

 

[RooFlyer]

Same with me. That's why I like the seat because it's wide enough for both. Those reverse Herringbone ones are definitely the ones you have to pick if you hsve a preferred side you sleep on.

You mean the middle pairs (reverse herringbone)? Why is that?

I usually go for mid-cabin to avoid disturbance by toilets & galleys. I have 2A booked on an A330 SYD-BKK and 4A booked BKK-HEL and wonder if I should try for 2A or 2L (I can sleep on either side). Any comments on noise, or potential for noise from those who have used the 2s.

I'm beginning to regret booking the AY flights/seats - being a bit less mobile now-a-days and a tossing & turning sleeper.

 

[MH_fan]

You mean the middle pairs (reverse herringbone)? Why is that?

I usually go for mid-cabin to avoid disturbance by toilets & galleys. I have 2A booked on an A330 SYD-BKK and 4A booked BKK-HEL and wonder if I should try for 2A or 2L (I can sleep on either side). Any comments on noise, or potential for noise from those who have used the 2s.

I'm beginning to regret booking the AY flights/seats - being a bit less mobile now-a-days and a tossing & turning sleeper.

No, the reverse herringbone seats are the ones you find on airlines like VN, CI, BA and VA widebodies previously. They are narrow and when in flat mode, push you further into the footwell leaving you less room to bend your knees when on your side. That's why I like AY's seat so much. I'm also less mobile these days and their seats gives me much more room to move around. My advice is to go for their bulkhead seats if you can because of the larger footwell.