Back to Helsinki Airport and the Finnair Schengen Lounge
Taking the long way (and back) to Singapore
It’s too early in the morning. Therefore, it must be time for me to get out of the hotel and back to Helsinki Airport and try the new Finnair Lounge.
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
Exiting the Holiday Inn at Vantaa Airport, there was a short wait for a bus – but the timetable seemed to run on time, with a shuttle bus appearing.
Quiet mornings outside the Holiday Inn Vantaa Airport
Free Ride!
This bus would serve two more Scandic hotels in the Aviatropolis area, before making its return to stop 62 at Helsinki Airport, where it dropped off its passengers.
From there, it was a simple walk up to departures, and through to security.
As I already had my boarding pass, I was able to head to the priority queue.
Of course, Helsinki Airport and Priority Queues aren’t things that go together – with only one scanner open to passengers, so there was a good 15-minute queue to clear.
Sometimes, I swear these priority queues aren’t worth it – although the other security queues were moving just as slowly as it seemed.
Once through, I had a new challenge – find the updated Finnair Schengen Lounge. But some Moomins got in the way.
They always do.
Thankfully the was signposted, and soon I was at the new lounge. I headed upstairs and was blipped in.
Finnair Schengen Lounge
Gate 22 Complex
I headed up the escalator and was greeted by an agent. With a blip of my boarding pass, I was allowed to use the lounge.
Going into it, it be heavily refurbished, with a mixture of quiet areas that look suspiciously like the Air Lounge seats.
To work pods
To more open and louder areas
And a dining area.
These are all well and good. It was also time to explore the breakfast offerings. Which were…. basic, to put it mildly, featuring cold cuts, and pasties.
Croissants.
And bulk Nutella.
Porridge and fruit.
There was also a rather good drinks selection out already, for those who want to indulge.
For those who want coffee, that’s well served by bean-to-cup machines.
As well as soft drinks…
Who needs an ice machine when you can have a bowl of ice?
And for those who want juices…. sigh… they have those TopJuicer machines. Yes. It makes perfect sense for an iPad to be used as a drinks dispenser.
I get the concept… but on the other hand, what’s wrong with a fountain-style dispenser?
I settled in and tanked up on some orange juice, coffee and a few cold cuts in a croissant… because ultimately, I am classy.
No points to where I was sitting.
That and this would be my last bite till in the afternoon at Stockholm Arlanda.
Whilst the lounge is done up nicely, it would have been nice to see a few hot food options. But I suspect with the turnover this lounge gets, that could get expensive, fast for Finnair.
Even though they’ll happily sell you access to this lounge.
With time starting to head against me, I exited the lounge and began the long hike to the gates where the ATR Gates are handled.
I swear it gets longer each time I hike down this.
Although I wish these weren’t just for Finnair Staff. This would make getting around Helsinki Airport a breeze.
Move it…
Nope. Not the exit.
Nearly there…
Phew.
One thing that did catch my eye on the walk to the gate was a vending machine for Revolut. This allowed you to obtain a card to activate – with both European and UK options.
It’s an interesting way to get customers to sign up for a product like this (which does have rather good exchange rates and commission-free spending).
Finally, I made it down to Gate 8. It does feel like a hike through forever. There weren’t that many people around, but the ATR 72-500 had just pulled in.
I took a seat and waited for a little time – then something struck me. Where the hell is my suitcase?
I checked with a member of the gate staff, who kindly confirmed the bag had made it from Bangkok, and was loaded on this flight to Bromma.
There was a short wait, but eventually, the ATR was ready to allow the handful of passengers aboard.
I took advantage of Group 1 boarding and headed on board.
Resting ATR Face.
Next:
AY841 – Why is an ATR flight getting its own segment? Also, did I miss the invite to a TOGA party?
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