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We flew Helsinki–Las Palmas–Helsinki in Finnair’s Airbus A350 Business Class, which pairs wide-body comfort with the service level typical of European routes. The fare included lounge access, priority security, a 23 kg checked bag, and the roomy, private AirLounge seats. The seats were excellent for rest, the entertainment system and Wi-Fi worked well, and the service was friendly. Food quality was inconsistent. Redeemed with Avios, the overall value was strong.
We flew from Helsinki to Las Palmas in Finnair’s Airbus A350 Business Class on our way to a Canary Islands cruise. A week later, we returned on the same aircraft type. Here’s our take on the A350 cabin, Finnair’s Business Class service, and the overall ease of the trip.
This was an intra-European flight, so the Business Class service concept differed from Finnair’s long-haul offering. However, it was operated by a widebody Airbus A350, which normally flies to Asia and North America. The combination was unusually interesting: we enjoyed a premium long-haul Business Class experience without having to fly very far.
On European routes, Business Class can offer excellent value for money. The vibe feels long-haul, but flight times and prices are more modest. Our experience differed clearly from our earlier Business Class Flight to Reykjavik on the A321, where the in-flight service level was considerably more basic.
We paid for our flights with Avios, and redeeming points felt like a genuinely great deal. The price included lounge visits both in Helsinki at the Finnair Lounge and in Las Palmas at the Sala Galdós Lounge. The ticket also included priority security and a 23 kg checked bag, which we needed for the cruise.
Business-Class Services at Helsinki-Vantaa
At Helsinki-Vantaa, Finnair’s Business Class journey starts at dedicated check-in counters. You can also check in online in advance or at an airport kiosk, then drop your bags at the baggage drop. Seat selection is included with a Business ticket, at the latest during check-in, so that you can secure your preferred seat at no extra charge. The fare also includes one 23-kg checked bag.
The ticket also includes Priority Security, meaning access to security screening via a separate line. This benefit stands out especially on busy mornings when security can get congested. Thanks to the faster lane, we saved time and were able to enjoy the Finnair Lounge a little longer. You can get a similar security benefit even without a Business Class ticket with the American Express Platinum Card.
Finnair Lounge is available to Business Class passengers at no extra charge. In addition to a calm setting, it offers, depending on departure time, breakfast, lunch, or light snacks, plus drinks from coffee to sparkling wine. This was our first visit to the lounge’s new location, which added a nice extra touch to the experience.
Finnair offers Business Class fares at different price points, so the included benefits can vary. Our fare included priority security, lounge access, seat selection, and a 23-kg checked bag. With a last-minute upgrade, however, not all of these perks come at a price.
In-Flight Experience
Cabin
Finnair’s A350 Business Class cabin made an immediate positive impression. Split into two sections, the space felt open, and the atmosphere was calm. There were few passengers, which added to the sense of space and made the environment unusually tranquil as soon as we boarded. The flight attendants welcomed the other passengers and us in a friendly tone.
The cabin’s overall look was typical Finnair. Shades of grey and dark blue created a subdued whole—nothing showy, but polished and tidy. There was plenty of storage for carry-ons, so we had more space than we even needed. The low load factor further highlighted the abundance of storage.
Seats
In Finnair’s Airbus A350 Business Class, the seating layout is 1–2–1. On the outbound flight, we sat in the second row, one in the centre and one by the window. The middle seats can be paired, which works well for those travelling together, although we didn’t choose adjacent seats this time. The seats are quite private, so talking across the aisle is difficult, making the centre seats often the better choice for two people travelling together.
On the return flight, we chose two window seats in rows 10 and 11, which gave each of us our own view outside.
Finnair’s A350 Business Class seat is part of the airline’s updated AirLounge concept. There’s no traditional reclining backrest; instead, the seat is built around a fixed shell that offers plenty of personal space and privacy. You can sit in several relaxed positions, and the raised leg platform combines with the seat to form a fully flat bed. Features include a personal reading light, storage spaces, and USB and power outlets.
The seat is excellent for sleeping, but in an upright position, it feels more like a solid, straightforward solution. It’s comfortable and practical, though not necessarily the market’s best choice if you plan to sit upright for long periods. Its clearest strengths are the spaciousness and outstanding privacy.
There’s plenty of storage built into the seat, which makes the space very practical. Features include a side table, a separate swing-out dining table, and dedicated compartments for items and small accessories. A Marimekko pillow, in-ear headphones, and a water bottle were set at the seat before we arrived.
Charging our own devices was easy. There was a USB port in the seat’s side compartment and a power socket near the floor. For the entertainment system, there was a traditional analogue headphone jack. There was no Bluetooth, though, which is a minor omission, as we have used wireless connectivity, for example, on Cathay Pacific flights.
Wi‑Fi and the Nordic Sky Portal
The A350 fleet is equipped with in-flight Wi‑Fi. The technical connection works well, but the overall package still feels rather modest. In Business Class, you get only 1 hour of free internet, and there’s no separate messaging plan, unlike Finnair’s European narrowbody Airbus fleet. Extra time is chargeable. In our view, free internet should be a standard Business Class service, as it’s no longer a luxury.
Through the Wi‑Fi, you can access Finnair’s Nordic Sky portal on your own mobile device. The portal offers a limited selection of free reading material, games, and live flight information. On the A350, its role is smaller because every seat has its own entertainment system. Still, the Nordic Sky portal serves as the gateway to the internet, so it’s useful.
Food and Beverage Service
Service on our flights was quick and very friendly. An almost empty Business cabin allowed the crew to be especially attentive and proactive.
The complimentary drink selection was fairly extensive. There was wine, sparkling wine, beer, and soft drinks, plus tea, coffee, and juices. There may have been other options, but we didn’t ask. Champagne is no longer part of Finnair’s lineup, but regular sparkling wine served its purpose well.
The crew made several drink rounds during the flight, and between rounds, you could order via the call button or pick up drinks directly from the galley.
The outbound meal service suited us well. We received a hot breakfast that included an omelette, and the overall taste was good—just what you expect from Business Class catering. On the return flight, the food didn’t reach the same standard, even though the service remained equally friendly. The dish resembled a budget student cafeteria stew, and its appearance gave no clue what it was. Fortunately, there was also a Christmas tart, which added a nice seasonal Finnish touch to the flight and brightened an otherwise underwhelming meal experience.
Catering wasn’t the highlight of our Business Class experience.
During the flight, the crew offered Fazer Sininen chocolate pralines once. The gesture underscored Finnishness, and Fazer chocolate is high-quality overall, but it felt rather modest. We would have preferred, for example, a piece of cake or another pastry that pairs better with coffee.
Entertainment System
The entertainment system was a pleasant surprise. The screen was large, picture quality and contrast were good, and touch response was precise. The difference from the clunky systems in older aircraft in Economy is clear. It wasn’t flawless, though: on the return flight, the safety instructions didn’t play because the screen rebooted mid‑sequence.
The in-flight menu was available in the entertainment system.
We found the content selection quite comprehensive, though not exceptionally broad. There were enough movies and TV series. We also made plenty of use of the flight info—like the map, route view, and camera feeds—which added something extra to follow during the flight.
There was no reading material in the entertainment system; magazines had to be opened on your own mobile device via Wi‑Fi.
Headphones
The weakest part of our Business Class experience was clearly the headphones. On European flights, Finnair provides only very basic in‑ear headphones, which fall short of Business Class expectations. There was no noise cancelling, and the sound quality didn’t match the otherwise high‑quality seat and entertainment experience. This detail eroded the premium feel more than we had anticipated.
With poor earbuds, Finnair likely saves a bit of work, but it leaves an unwelcome mark on the travel experience.
Restrooms
The Business Class restrooms are located at the front of the aircraft within the Business cabin and are intended primarily for Business passengers. The spaces were pleasantly roomy, and dedicated windows brought in nice natural light.
A Minor Disturbance
While Finnair did everything on its part to make the trip a success, some fellow passengers didn’t quite match that. On both legs, the same couple in the cabin talked loudly and drank a lot, and it carried throughout Business Class. As the flight went on, their alertness dipped, but the disturbance increased. We don’t attribute this to Finnair—sometimes passengers drink too much. The noise stood out because there were few travellers, and the atmosphere was otherwise exceptionally calm.
Rating and Comparison to Long-Haul
We give Finnair’s A350 Business Class on this European route a rating of 4 stars. The experience impressed us, especially thanks to the seat, privacy, and the A350’s quiet ride comfort. Service was brisk and friendly, and the nearly empty cabin made the flight exceptionally peaceful. Headphones and food quality left room for improvement. If we were to rate the same service level on a long‑haul flight, we would probably give one star less. Expectations are higher on long sectors, so, for example, basic headphones and limited Wi‑Fi would weigh more on the overall score.
Bottom Line
We flew from Helsinki to Las Palmas and back in Finnair’s Airbus A350 Business Class. A European route delivered an interesting mix of long-haul aircraft comfort and a shorter flight’s service concept. The package included lounge access, priority security, a checked bag, and the spacious, private AirLounge seats. Above all, the calm cabin, generous space, and the A350’s lower noise level created a premium feel that clearly stood out from European Business Class on narrowbody aircraft.
The seats provided an excellent setup for rest and privacy, and the entertainment system was high-quality with large screens. Service on both flights was friendly and attentive. By contrast, catering was inconsistent, the Business Class Wi‑Fi benefit was limited, and the headphones were clearly the weakest element. Small details had a surprisingly big impact on polishing the premium experience.
On a European route, Finnair’s Airbus A350 Business Class offered us outstanding value, especially when redeemed with Avios. On a long-haul flight, our expectations would have been higher, but on this route, the experience was a success and added a touch of luxury even before the cruise. The A350’s Business Class is a strong choice for a Canary Islands flight, which can at times last up to 7 hours.
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