On Thursday, Helsinki-based airline Finnair unveiled totally revamped premium cabins on its long-haul planes, just as more U.S. travelers are beginning to book longer flights to Europe and points beyond.
The new premium offerings include the launch of a brand new premium economy cabin and a completely refurbished business class product. Both refreshed cabins will celebrate Finnish design, enveloping fliers in the streamlined but cozy atmosphere the country is known for, as well as offering an in-flight menu of Nordic cuisine. “Of course what makes this all very special is the unique design language, which is very much inspired by our Nordic roots," says Tiina Tissari, Finnair's VP of customer experience and products. “So comforting dark tones in business class, including design collaborations with the most famous Finnish design houses.”
As part of those collaborations, passengers in both business and premium economy can expect custom tableware from Iittala designed by Harri Koskinen, as well as pillows and blankets by Marimekko. The premium cabins will also be outfitted with mood lighting inspired by the aurora borealis, as a “sneak peak to Finland,” Tissari says.
The plush new cabins will begin rolling out this spring across Finnair's fleet of Airbus A330 and A350 jets, which operate its long-haul routes. And even economy class is set to get a refresh on the long-range planes, with more ergonomic seats and larger 12-inch entertainment screens. Here's what else fliers can expect from the new cabins.
A business class as comfortable as lounging at home
The core of the revamped Finnair business class is the seat: an innovative lie-flat with seat backs that are a fixed contoured shell that enable passengers to comfortable sit at a range of different angles. The goal for the new seat was to “create more of a residential environment, emulating the comfort you would expect at home," David Kondo, who oversaw the cabin design on Finnair's customer experience team, said in a statement.
When in lie-flat mode, the shell of the seat creates a “cocoon like” divider for privacy, according to the airline's description, while the divider between central seats can be lowered for passengers traveling with a companion. A Marimekko pillow and duvet, as well as a mattress pad, will help to convert the seat into a full-fledged bed. "It's more like a piece of lounge furniture where a customer has very high flexibility to enjoy travel in various different positions,” Tissari says. Each seat also has a customizable lamp, a do not disturb light, plenty of personal storage cubbies, power outlets with USB-A/USB-C/PC ports, and wireless charging for mobile devices.
Also getting a refresh? In-flight dining, which in business class will now be a “premium bistro experience,” Tissari says. The new menu will include up to six courses: a small amuse-bouche, two cold starter dishes, a choice of mains with side dishes, a cheese course, and dessert. Each course will have multiple dishes for guests to choose from. “There will be a lot of Nordic inspiration in the dishes, combined with some international twists, especially from Japan,” Tissari says.
Finnair business class fliers will also have access to a new refreshment area toward the front of the plane, where they can find drinks, cocktails, and small snacks in between meals—all served on the same tableware as dinner service. Our recommendation: order a glass of champagne, which will be poured into a special vintage Iittala flute, first used on Finnair's New York routes in 1969.
A secluded premium economy cabin
With the launch of Finnair's premium economy cabin, fliers can expect 50 percent more room than the airline's coach seats. That includes a deep eight-inch recline, 38-inch pitch, full “waterfall" leg rest—all topped with memory foam cushions. Each spot will also be outfitted with six-way headrests, a 13-inch entertainment screen, and power outlets (with PC and USB-A ports).
Additionally, the brand new class will be set in its own cabin, away from regular economy, with just 26 seats, lending the area a calm and secluded atmosphere. Other perks include a three-course meal—served on the Iittala dishes—as well as a Marimekko neck pillow and woven blanket.
Launching the new cabins was “very much motivated by the longer term trend of demand for more premium leisure travel, which has been even accelerated during the pandemic,” Tissari says. It will be “a great way to welcome customers back on board who probably haven't been traveling—especially long-haul.”
Overall, the airline is aiming to bring a taste of Nordic culture to the sky. “[We want to] offer our customers a piece of Finland already during their flight,” says Tissari. "We want to show our colors as being truly Nordic and maybe set ourselves apart from the traditional luxury, which tends to be ‘more-is-more.’ We are bringing a kind of simplistic premium-ness to our customers."