I had the misfortune of flying Finnair, I booked the flight via Priceline, it appeared to be the least expensive in a very expensive environment, as I recall the base fare was a little over $1500, (Seattle-Helsinki- Bangkok and return) but as they say the "devil is in the details". While they say you may have "one carry one and one personal item" similar to most other airlines, what you don't find out until after you book, the combined weight for these two items in 8 kg (17 pound), and you are only allowed one checked bag, most international flights allow for two checked bags, $70 for each excess bag.
Then there is the seat selection, while they say they will try to seat you together, no guaranty, or you can pay $53 per seat per segment.
Then once on the flight, in your over priced coach seat, the leg room is non-existent, the food while not too bad, is served in little cardboard boxes, about 4X6X1 inches, with wooden throw away utensil, the main meal is two boxes and the subsequent meal one box, on a 10 hour flight. Upside is they comp you a beer or glass of wine with your meal. Besides the non-existent leg room (about 12 inches) the worst part of flying coach was there was absolutely no service between meals, as if the flight attendants "beamed" over to another flight.
After arriving in Helsinki, we had a 22 hour layover, Helsinki does have an in airport hotel, $200, for a match box sized room, but better than trying to survive without a bed and shower.
The next day, as we were waiting for our next flight, they announced space available in Business Class, I haven't run so fast in 20 years as I did to secure two seats in Business Class, at a cost of about $380 per seat. Difference of night and day between Business and Coach, but no refund of our $53 per seat for our selected coach seating.
As soon as we arrived in Bangkok I called to see about upgrading our seats for the flights home. I was told that they only had premium coach, Bangkok to Helsinki available, and nothing Helsinki to Seattle. I booked the premium coach. For about $275 each, fortunately as we were preparing to board the flight, my wife and I were pulled aside, we were told that premium coach was over booked . . . but despite my fears of being bumped back into coach we got up graded to Business Class.
Once in Helsinki, I checked for upgrade again, fortunately, we were able to get premium coach. Now the difference between Premium and regular coach, 7 seats across the cabin vs 8, more leg room and a leg rest, unfortunately unless you are about 5'-9" or less, the leg room is insufficient to comfortably use the leg rest, food is a little better you get a better main meal, but the second meal is the one box again. Compared to Business Class, Premium coach isn't worth the extra cost.
In summation unless you are able to afford Business Class, don't fly Finnair, unless it is the only escape from an apocalypse. read more