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Finnair Business Class Lounge Helsinki
After wrapping up time in Finland with a journey north to Lapland for the Midnight Sun Film Festival, it was time to head home. Following a short overnight stay near the airport, I departed Helsinki on Finnair in Business Class, with no-recline seats, using a ticket booked via American Airlines for 57,500 points and roughly USD $70 in taxes. Those points were earned through RBC Avion transfer to American AAdvantage miles with 15% bonus, and the booking granted access to Finnair’s Business Class Lounge at Helsinki Airport. As this was my first visit to Finnair’s flagship hub lounge in the non-Schengen area, expectations were naturally high.
Location and Access
Helsinki Airport has several Finnair lounges, and access depends on whether you’re departing from the Schengen or non-Schengen side of the terminal. For transatlantic flights, including services to the United States, the relevant Business Class Lounge is located in the non-Schengen area near Gate 52, after passport control.
Finnair Lounge – Helsinki
Main Entrance – Finnair Business Class Lounge
Access is granted to passengers flying in business class on an Oneworld carrier, as well as those holding Oneworld Emerald status or higher. Inside this space are two distinct lounges. To the left of the reception is the Platinum Wing, reserved for oneworld Emerald members, while the standard Business Class Lounge sits to the right. According to the staff, the Platinum Wing offers a variety of food options and includes a sauna, which is very much in keeping with Finnish culture. Entry is straightforward, either via automated boarding-pass gates or through the reception desk.
Lounge Layout and Seating
Immediately inside, the lounge opens up into a bright space dominated by Finnair’s signature white and blue colour palette. Seating is plentiful and varied, starting with pod-style chairs near the entrance, ideal for relaxing shortly after arrival.
Lounge Pods
Moving further in, wooden counters with barstools line one side of the lounge, followed by a smaller beverage station with soft drinks and beer on tap. Marble tables paired with leather seating sit nearby, alongside additional clusters of grey and light-turquoise chairs. Deeper into the lounge, seating continues in light blue and grey tones, offering plenty of choice for those who prefer open areas or quieter corners.
Sofa Seating
Bar stools and additional seating
Before reaching the main buffet, private showers and washrooms are to the left, and nearby enclosed grey couches offer more privacy than the communal tables. Beyond the buffet area, the lounge’s centrepiece comes into view: a striking circular bar set within a granite enclosure, giving the area a subtle nightclub feel. Dark blue C-shaped couches surround the bar, each with granite tabletops, while additional high tables with charging stations sit just behind it.
Semi-private booths
Private booths and loungers
Past the bar, there are more washrooms and semi-enclosed seating areas with reading lights and power outlets. Nearly every seat in the lounge offers easy access to charging, and with so many seats, it would be surprising to see the lounge reach full capacity. There are no children’s play areas or family rooms, televisions were present but turned off, and no flight announcements were made during my visit.
Private Showers and Washrooms
Food and Beverage
The food offering was solid and varied, leaning toward hearty and vegetarian-friendly options. Hot dishes included lentil and bean patties with corn salsa, meatballs in a creamy pepper sauce, mashed potatoes, and a turmeric-based vegetarian soup. Cold options featured salads and pasta dishes, while dessert selections ranged from carrot cake to passion-fruit cake, alongside cookies, chips, and fresh fruit. A self-serve coffee station offered a range of espresso-based drinks.
Salad Bar
Soups and Bread
Finnish Meatballs
Coffee Station
Beverage options were equally strong. White wines were available on ice, red wines were on display, and Finnish draft beer was served on tap. The bar also featured several signature cocktails, and during my visit, I sampled the Bluesinki, Hugolina, and Fin Mai, along with a Finnish rye whisky. All were well executed, and the cocktail menu alone makes spending time at the bar worthwhile.
Lounge Bar
Cocktail Menu
Takeaway
For travellers with Oneworld Emerald status, the Platinum Wing, with its additional seating and complimentary sauna, is a standout feature and well worth visiting. For everyone else, the standard Business Class Lounge still delivers a comfortable, spacious experience with good food, an excellent bar, and thoughtful design throughout.
With Finnair set to launch seasonal nonstop service to Toronto in summer 2026, this lounge will become even more relevant for Canadian travellers, particularly those leveraging RBC Avion points for Scandinavian itineraries. While the lounge lacks tarmac views and is about a five-minute walk from my gate, these are minor drawbacks. Overall, this is a strong, well-rounded lounge experience that earns a solid 8 out of 10 and is absolutely worth a repeat visit.
