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

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

Long way to Singapore Cover Image

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

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).

a plane on the tarmac at night
Resting ATR face.

a parking lot with a green sign and yellow parking meters
It is the night, my body’s weak…

people sitting on benches in a building
I’m on the run, no time to speak…

a group of people walking in a hallway
I’ve got to ride, ride like the wind, to be free again

a person walking down an escalator
And I’ve got such a long way to go… 

a building with a hot air balloon
Even the Moomin Shop had ridden like the wind.

a wooden floor with blue lines and signs
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.

a large airport terminal with people walking
Pass Duty Free – open still for the late night passengers 

a man walking in a large room with a large wall and signs
Not much else open though

a hallway with signs and signs on the ceiling

Because I needed a decent drink.

Finnair Lounge, Non Schengen

a white wall with text on it

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.

 

a room with tables and chairsa group of white round objects

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).

a group of people in a room with a bar and a large chandelier a restaurant with people in the kitchen

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).

a group of people in a room with tables and chairs

a glass of water with ice and a plant
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.

a group of bowls of food
Salad items

a pan of rice and parsley
Rice, rice baby 

a pan with food in it
These were very well seasoned

a trays of food on a table
There’s fish under there -honest

a tray of fruit on a counter
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.

a sign on a wall

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 )

a large building with a glass ceiling and a large skylight
Not now, sounds of Finland…

a vending machine with a screen
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.

people standing in a hall
Pass the Finnish Tree range that doubles as seats 

a sign in a building
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.

a man standing in a terminal

And not the Airbus A350 for once.

Next:

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

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