TRIP REPORT: A Rapid Helsinki Transit and the Finnair Non-Schengen Lounge – Taking the long way (and back) to Singapore

A Rapid Helsinki Transit and the Finnair Non-Schengen Lounge
Taking the long way (and back) to Singapore

It’s time to run like the wind and transit across Helsinki Airport. And maybe grab a quick Gin and Tonic in the lounge, if time allows… and then head onto my long-haul flight. With a Minimum Connection Time of 35 minutes… how did I do? 

In this adventure

• I needed a break
• 02:40 on the coach? Nothing changes, with Heathrow Terminal 5 and British Airways South Lounge
• BA776 London Heathrow to Stockholm Arlanda (Club Europe)
• An afternoon in Stockholm featuring ABBA The Museum 
• Off to Stockholm Bromma, AY840 Stockholm Bromma to Helsinki Vantaa with NoRRA (Economy Class)
• A Rapid Helsinki Transit and The Finnair Lounge
• AY099 Helsinki Vantaa to Hong Kong International with Finnair (Business Class)
• Transiting Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Lounge
• CX715 (AY5855) Hong Kong International to Singapore Changi Terminal 4 with Cathay Pacific (Business Class)
• Into Singapore, IBIS Budget Crystal
• The Mercure Hotel, Bugis
• Boating around the Singapore River
• Exploring Hawker Markets and random fooding around Singapore
• The Best Camera is the One You Have With You – Exploring The Gardens by the Bay
• Up to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark…
• …and the fallout of a stolen and returned iPhone
• Back to Changi Airport the Pokemon Centre at the Jewel and Terminal 4
• 3K513 (AY6379) Singapore Changi to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (Jetstar Asia Economy Class)
• One night in Bangkok and the Avagard Capsule Hotel, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
• An early morning at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and The Miracle Lounge, D Pier
• AY142 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Helsinki Vantaa with Finnair in Business Class
• Out of Vantaa Airport and into Helsinki… and a little beyond
• Holiday Inn, Helsinki Airport
• Early morning at Helsinki Vantaa Airport and The Finnair Schengen Lounge
• AY841 Helsinki Vantaa to Stockholm Bromma with NoRRA (Economy Class)
• The slow return to Arlanda Airport (with a military band)
• D84459 Stockholm Arlanda to London Gatwick with Norweigan Air Shuttle
• How to get home… coach or train?
• Sometimes, Simple Isn’t Needed… Or Wanted

With limited time – just over an hour to complete the whole transit, I needed to get my backside in gear from Gate 8 to Gate 49… and if I had time, the lounge would be nice too.

And yes – that’s a 20-minute hike at some speed – including the time to clear Schengen Immigration. Whilst it’s entirely possible to do it in that time (as Helsinki airport is famous for quick connections), it still doesn’t remove the time pressure.

So there was only one song on my mind – Run Like the Wind (the East Side Beat version with the Italian House Piano version… rather than the Christoper Cross original).

Resting ATR face.

It is the night, my body’s weak…

I’m on the run, no time to speak…

I’ve got to ride, ride like the wind, to be free again

And I’ve got such a long way to go… 

Even the Moomin Shop had ridden like the wind.

To make it to the border of Schengen. So I ride, like wind, ride like the wind.

Whilst I wasn’t heading to the border with Mexico, I crossed through the unending gates to the main part of Helsinki Airport, and then turning a little bit left to exit Schengen area.

The border agent was happy-  noting my boarding pass and the route I took to get there.

With my passport stamped out, I continued the great rush, this time heading past the closed shops and towards the Finnair Lounge.

Pass Duty Free – open still for the late night passengers 

Not much else open though

Because I needed a decent drink.

Finnair Lounge, Non Schengen

I was welcomed to the lounge and blipped in. That was nice enough. Sadly, I would have limited time – as the lounge would be closing at midnight.

Not too brilliant – as the Hong Kong flight had been delayed by 30 minutes to departure.

I made my way in. Given that it was nearly 23:25 when I arrived, I had minimal time to mess around (and that in 15 minutes, the food and bar would be closed for the evening).

Whilst it was 23:30, the lounge was still busy, with Finnair’s late-night departure bank still keeping the place occupied.

I prioritised a drink first, as this bar makes a rather mean gin and tonic (especially with the Kyro gin that is served).

There’s just something about how Finnair constantly serves its Gin and Tonics. It’s deliciously refreshing

With liquid in hand, it was time to raid the buffet.  Whilst it was the last thing at night, there was a reasonable spread of food, covering both veg and non-veg tastes.

Salad items

Rice, rice baby 

These were very well seasoned

There’s fish under there -honest

And sweet treats – mostly consumed.

It gave me a chance also to cool down from that fast walk across Helsinki Airport.

With the announcement the lounge was about to close, I grabbed the bags and headed out via the quick exit… That wasn’t very quick if I’m honest.

At least it cut a chunk of the walk out of the lounge, to the 40 gates – where my flight to Hong Kong would be departing from.

Given that I would be going from Gate 46, there was a fair old hike still to go. At least there are travelators at this part of the airport (something the regional gates could desperately do with )

Not now, sounds of Finland…

This is on the “must try next time” list. As bringing a pizza aboard a long-haul flight would cause everyone pain…

Arriving at Gate 46, boarding was in full swing. As such, I checked – and behold, there was a premium lane.

Pass the Finnish Tree range that doubles as seats 

Gate 46. Boarding had commenced. 

I headed into the gate area and into the premium “line”. With a blip of my boarding pass, I was let through. It was time to try something very different out.

And not the Airbus A350 for once.

Next:

AY099 Helsinki to Hong Kong, with AirLounge in Business Lounge.

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