Flight Review: Finnair Economy Class (A321)

The always gorgeous Finnish nature is a treat to the eyes when approaching Helsinki airport!

The always gorgeous Finnish nature is a treat to the eyes when approaching Helsinki airport!

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Yes, I know, the image above is not of an A321, but my Finnair journey started, this time, on one of these, that took me to Helsinki for the longer leg of the trip Helsinki to Barcelona on a super-early 5.40am flight.

Flight #: AY3271

From: Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)

To: Barcelona- El Prat (BCN)

Flight time: 3h 45min

Aircraft: Airbus A321

Helsinki airport boarding gates are nicely integrated with the surrounding airport environment, you may actually pass by without nooticing if not paying attention!

Helsinki airport boarding gates are nicely integrated with the surrounding airport environment, you may actually pass by without nooticing if not paying attention!

Given that I spent a few hours at Helsinki airport before boarding my flight, it would be good to have a few words about the experience, but actually I wrote a separate post about this already, so here is the link.

Finnair implemented a system of boarding by groups. Pretty efficient thing to do, I wonder why more airlines don't use it

Finnair implemented a system of boarding by groups. Pretty efficient thing to do, I wonder why more airlines don't use it

Interesting to see that Aeroflot advertises its Asian connections via Moscow...in Helsinki, which is a hub that specializes precisely on Europe to Asia connections

Interesting to see that Aeroflot advertises its Asian connections via Moscow...in Helsinki, which is a hub that specializes precisely on Europe to Asia connections

Ad for the Helsinki airport app, that we had the chance to talk about in a previous post

Ad for the Helsinki airport app, that we had the chance to talk about in a previous post

When it comes to the passenger experience, I spend most of the flight sleeping, which is always a good sign (particularly in economy class!). 

The cabin, which features the light-grey colours that you can see in the following pictures, was spotlessly clean and seat pitch was rather good.

Food and drinks are sold at a charge, although water and tea and complimentary (nice detail!)

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A general view of the cabin

A general view of the cabin

Seat pitch: good!

Seat pitch: good!

Water and tea are complimentary, all the rest needs to be paid for

Water and tea are complimentary, all the rest needs to be paid for

No more free meals, but at least looks like Finnair is really making an effort when it comes to in-flight food, offering a mix of (mainly) healthy choices.

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Although not exactly cheap, prices look more reasonable onboard than at the airport in Helsinki!

Although not exactly cheap, prices look more reasonable onboard than at the airport in Helsinki!

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I like it when you have a proper map that lets you track the orographic features as you look through the window

I like it when you have a proper map that lets you track the orographic features as you look through the window

Got 3.5h to spare to learn some basic facts about Finland? Check Finnair's in-flight magazine

Got 3.5h to spare to learn some basic facts about Finland? Check Finnair's in-flight magazine

Our take:

Good overall experience. Great airport for transfer flights.

Relatively high prices for food and, particularly, drinks both at the airport and onboard are a bit of a downside, but at least the complimentary water and tea compensates it a bit.

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