I’ve experienced many business class seats over the years, but when I discovered I could reserve Finnair’s A330 AirLounge from Seattle to Paris (with a stop in Helsinki) for 82,500 points, I couldn’t resist. A “lounge” seat that doesn’t recline to Europe? I had to find out what all the excitement was about and whether it was actually comfortable.
I had planned to meet my daughter in Paris so we could embark on a train journey throughout Switzerland. I intended to fly business class to enhance the comfort of the long flight, but I also wanted to utilize my points to save money for the costly trip to Switzerland!
A transfer bonus was available at that time, so I transferred 64,000 American Express Membership Rewards points to British Airways Avios, and then converted them into Finnair Avios. My business class ticket from SEA to HEL to CDG ultimately cost 82,500 points along with $151 in fees.
It seemed like an ideal mix of a pleasant journey and a clever use of points. I had never traveled with Finnair before and was eager to find out how their distinctive AirLounge seat compared to my previous business class experiences.
Check-In & Lounge
I reached SEA airport approximately three hours prior to my 5:40 pm flight, mainly due to traffic and transportation logistics. The Finnair check-in area was quiet, so the process was fast. Finnair is situated near the northern part of the airport (close to checkpoints 1 and 2). I have CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, which made the security screening very smooth.
SEA was unexpectedly calm for an evening international flight, giving me ample time to unwind before boarding.
Lounge Access
With my Finnair business class ticket, I was able to use the British Airways Lounge located in the S satellite terminal. It’s a great benefit to have a drink or a snack before boarding, as well as convenient access to power outlets to keep all my devices charged.
I should note that Finnair is part of the oneworld alliance, meaning my oneworld Emerald status and any Finnair boarding pass (regardless of class) would also provide access to any Alaska lounges at SEA (C, D, N concourses). However, since I was departing from the S gates, it made sense to go to the BA lounge, as I hadn’t been there before. I’m an Alaska Lounge+ member, so I’m quite familiar with the Alaska lounges, and as an Amex platinum cardholder, I also have access to the Centurion Lounge and Priority Pass (The Club) lounges at SEA.
The British Airways lounge at SEA underwent a recent renovation. Although the area is quite compact, it appeared clean and featured comfortable seating with plenty of charging stations. The selection of food was limited but somewhat improved compared to The Club lounge located nearby, offering a variety of hot and cold choices. Additionally, there was a full bar that served as the main attraction of the lounge.
I would say that in my view, the outlook from this lounge is somewhat average, with a big roof that goes below the windows, making it feel less open—though you can catch a glimpse of some airplanes taking off. The restrooms were surprisingly simple, and I didn’t check the showers, but I think there’s at least one.
Boarding
The boarding process experienced a minor delay, and there was limited information provided regarding the situation. The lounge informed us that it was time to board, so I made my way down, only to be told by the gate agents that boarding had been postponed for an additional 10-15 minutes. As the British Airways Lounge was near the gate, I went back there for another 15 minutes before returning. Despite the delay, I still arrived at the gate ahead of schedule.
After the boarding process began, business class travelers were allowed to board following those who required special assistance. The gate area was somewhat chaotic, and I found myself at the end of the business class line, with economy passengers positioned directly in front of the gate agents conducting passport checks long before the boarding pass scanner was used. This situation was somewhat annoying, and I would have preferred having designated lanes for boarding and check-in, but that’s how it went. Your passport was verified alongside your boarding pass before your pass was scanned for entry.
The Seat: Finnair A330 AirLounge
Finnair’s A330 business class features their distinctive AirLounge seat. Unlike conventional business class seats that recline into a flat position, this one is structured like a spacious lounge chair. You can customize your comfort using pillows and padding, allowing you to sit, relax, or lie flat by extending the lower flaps.
I’ll confess, I was interested to see if I would enjoy it. The advantages? It offers a sense of space and reasonable privacy, with ample room to extend your legs. The seat is broad and open, and the fixed shell design creates a comfortable atmosphere without feeling tight. For travelers who prefer to sit cross-legged, this seat accommodates that.
The downsides? If you enjoy adjusting the recline angle during your flight, this isn’t ideal. This seat doesn’t recline and therefore doesn’t become flat. It’s also somewhat rigid in certain areas, making the included mattress pad essential. I found the hinge points for the fold-out recliner to be poorly positioned, and when I attempted to lie down or semi-recline, it pressed against my hip and wasn’t very comfortable.
I’ll also mention that because the back of the seat doesn’t recline, when you lie down with your legs stretched out in front of you, the seatbelt that was previously around your hips will now rest across your chest or under your armpits. I find this aspect of the design to be one of the most unusual. Staying buckled while sleeping means having a belt positioned high across your chest. Additionally, if you’re sitting on the left side of the plane, you’ll end up lying on your left side with your legs bent when you lie down (especially if you’re tall— I’m 5’9″). The right side of the plane would likely be the opposite; you’d lie on your right side.
Overall, I found it sufficiently comfortable to get a few hours of sleep during the overnight flight, and it definitely distinguishes itself from other business class seats. I’ll be honest and say that I wouldn’t rush to book it again, but I also wouldn’t avoid flying with it.
The A330 business class features 28 AirLounge seats set up in a 1–2–1 configuration, ensuring that every passenger has immediate access to the aisle. There are two restrooms located at the front of the cabin. It’s advisable to steer clear of seats 1D and 1H if possible, as the curtain leading to the galley and restroom is situated directly next to the aisle for these positions.
I was seated in 3A, a window seat that offered a sense of privacy due to the shell-like structure, but the seats don’t have doors and are positioned near the aisle with a table and storage area next to the window. This seating arrangement includes a convenient compartment under the window that was ideal for my laptop, iPad, and a carry-on bag containing essentials like cables and personal items. The cabin was relatively quiet, and being away from the galley and restrooms made it a peaceful location for the flight.
Your seat features a very basic Marimekko amenity kit that includes earplugs, an eye mask, a humble brush bamboo toothbrush with toothpaste, all placed in a small bag. Additionally, felt slippers were provided, which I used throughout my entire trip.
Entertainment & Wi‑Fi
For entertainment, the seat features a 18-inch high-resolution touchscreen. You can operate it via the control panel, or there’s a small concealed remote stored in the side storage compartment next to your shoulder. Keep in mind that when the remote is in use, the compartment must remain open (but it doesn’t really matter as the cord can get squashed). The onboard system provides a good variety, including over 100 movies and approximately 50 TV series, along with music, games, and a flight map that shows both forward and downward views.
Headphones are available and provide good noise reduction. Business class tickets come with one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi (Finnair Plus Platinum members receive full-flight access). Additional time can be purchased, typically costing €8–9 for an extra hour or approximately €20 for the entire flight. It performed well for casual browsing and messaging. I appreciated watching a few films and viewing the flight map throughout the journey.
Food & Drinks
After I got comfortable, the crew provided a welcome drink — Finnair’s famous blueberry juice, sparkling wine, or water. I chose the blueberry juice, which is a Finnair custom, along with the sparkling wine, hoping to create a little bellini.
Service began soon after takeoff with drinks and snacks. My dinner consisted of two cold dishes. The first was mozzarella with chutney (peach, raisin, pecan, ginger, caper berries). The second was chicken mousse accompanied by bread, a yellow beet salad, and raspberry sauce. Personally, I didn’t like either of these, but I ate some of the beet salad and chutney.
For the main dish, the choices included roasted beef with creamy Parmesan polenta, tomatoes, broccolini, carrots, and peppercorn sauce; grilled salmon with potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, and beurre blanc sauce; or plant-based kafta with couscous, piperade, grilled zucchini, and roasted red pepper sauce. I chose the salmon, and it was somewhat decent, although the vegetables lacked seasoning and were rather simple.
The dessert was cheese and the options were spiced pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting or passionfruit mousse with mango. However, they didn’t have the pumpkin cake available and I ended up receiving a tiramisu-style dessert instead.
Prior to landing, a breakfast meal was provided. The only choice available was a frittata containing mushrooms, potatoes, and chorizo; it came with yogurt and fresh fruit, along with a small plate of meat and cheese. I requested an additional portion of fruit since I am unable to eat mushrooms, and they were pleased to adjust for me.
Service
The team was effective and approachable during the entire flight. The service was professional and enjoyable, yet not excessively attentive. Extra drinks or refills were only provided during meal times, so I had to press the call button when I wanted tea and later more coffee. It wasn’t an issue, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re accustomed to a more personalized service style. Although I believe this is quite typical for business class flights, particularly on overnight journeys.
Lounges in Helsinki
We arrived on time in Helsinki, and as I was transferring to Paris (Schengen), I decided to explore both Finnair lounges. First, I walked over to the non-Schengen Business Lounge (it’s a bit of a distance from our gate and needs to be done before going through border control into the Schengen area). It’s the bigger lounge, spanning around 16,000 square feet with seating for up to 450 people. Since I have oneworld Emerald status, I was granted access to the Platinum Wing, which is half the size and has a more refined atmosphere. I had planned to use the shower, but they were all occupied. I only stayed for about 20 minutes before moving through customs to the Schengen side.
After passing through, I went to the Schengen Business Lounge, which can accommodate up to 440 individuals over approximately 9,000 square feet and was once again granted entry to the Platinum Corner, a distinct section. This hidden area was compact yet cozy, and although it was lively, it wasn’t overly packed.
The meal options were limited, primarily consisting of salads and regional snacks, yet the atmosphere remained peaceful. I had the opportunity to use a shower located in the Schengen lounge, which was well-equipped with SEES products (a Finnish company) including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, lotion, as well as a shower cap, toothbrush, and toothpaste. It provided a wonderful way to freshen up before my brief flight to Paris. I believe the showers in the non-Schengen lounge might be more comfortable and larger in size.
Overall Verdict
Traveling with Finnair’s A330 in business class from Seattle to Helsinki was a positive experience and a great way to utilize points. The AirLounge seat is distinctive — it’s not my top choice for business class, but it was suitable for the overnight journey. I particularly appreciated the mattress pad, which enhanced comfort to some extent.
The service was welcoming, the cuisine featured appealing Finnish elements, and the lounges in Helsinki (particularly the Platinum sections) provided a peaceful and enjoyable environment during my layover. I might choose Finnair again, especially if I could book it using points, but I’d be aware that the seat design requires some adjustment.
Although my flights were uneventful in the air, my booking process required some patience with customer service. When I needed to modify my trip after a minor schedule adjustment, I spent 1 hour and 10 minutes waiting on hold with the U.S. service line before my call was finally answered. The positive aspect was that Finnair let me switch to a more favorable travel date without additional charges because of the schedule change—but I had to locate availability for the saver fare I originally booked, which was three days earlier than my initial reservation.
A short time before my journey, a strike by the ground crew in Helsinki was announced. Such strikes tend to occur on a regular basis, and although my flight from Seattle was not impacted, my Helsinki–Paris flight ended up being canceled. Finnair informed me when I called (which involved a two-hour wait) that they wouldn’t have cancellation details until roughly two days prior to the strike. They also mentioned that once a flight is officially canceled, new booking options become available.
I didn’t receive official notice about my Paris flight being canceled until the day before I was supposed to depart, but within 90 minutes of getting that cancellation email, Finnair had automatically booked me on an earlier flight to Paris on the same day. Although this wasn’t the schedule I had wanted because I lost the layover time in Helsinki, I still reached Paris on time—actually arriving earlier than planned—with no significant issues affecting my trip.
I hope this review was useful if you’re considering booking with Finnair!
