Finnair currently has two lounges in Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Terminal 2. The first is located near Gate 22 in the Schengen Area of the airport. All eligible Finnair passengers have access to this lounge most will pass this lounge on their way to the Non-Schengen area of the airport. Thankfully, because I was flying to New York and connecting from Stockholm I had access to both areas of the airport and therefore both lounges.
Before my flight to New York I first stopped by the Schengen Area Finnair Lounge as the location happened to be on the way to my departing gate. I really enjoyed my time in that lounge, but about an hour before my scheduled boarding time I decided to head into the Non-Schengen area of the airport. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to get through customs and I wanted to visit the second Finnair Lounge located near Gate 50.
Finnair Premium Lounge Non-Schengen Area Helsinki Airport Entrance
The Finnair lounge located near Gate 50 is actually two separate lounges. The primary lounge is a traditional international business class lounge while only OneWorld Emerald passengers have access to the Premium Lounge area. Both lounges are open daily from approximately 6:00AM to Might-night.
As I currently maintain American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum status (OneWorld Emerald) I had access to the Premium Lounge portion of the Finnair Lounge in the Non-Schengen area of the airport.
To access the Finnair Premium Lounge you must first check in with the Finnair associate at the entrance to the lounge.
Upon checking in the Finnair representative will let you know if you have access to the Premium Lounge area of the lounge. The Finnair Premium Lounge is located just beyond a set of glass doors located to the left of the check-in counter.
Finnair Premium Lounge Buffet and Bar
Immediately after entering the Finnair Premium Lounge you’ll find the buffet at full-service bar. The setup of this area is unique as the “bar” doubles as a buffet counter. Although the setup is strange, it means you can order a drink at any time while moving through the buffet line.
At the start of the buffet line, in the corner near the entrance, is a small counter with a selection of plates, mugs, silverware, and napkins. As is the case on board Finnair flights, many of these items are designed by Marimekko. I personally love the designs as they add a unique flare to the otherwise muted colors used by Finnair.
The first buffet station featured hot food items found in large pots.
The next area was a salad bar of sorts which offered various vegetable items in small glass cups.
The next station, which happened to be my favorite, featured several small dessert options.
At the far end of the buffet line was a fruit station in which guests could grab either fresh fruit or fresh fruit juices.
Behind the buffet line was the full service bar which offered quite a few liquor options to guests.
While the bar didn’t have the most impressive beverage selection there were still plenty of options to keep most guests satisfied.
Finnair Premium Lounge Helsinki Seating Area(s)
After visiting the buffet line it was time to settle in for the hour or so I had to wait before boarding my flight back to New York. Thankfully, due to the Finnair limiting access to this lounge to OneWorld Emerald members there was plenty of available seating found throughout the lounge. The first seating area was along the wall directly behind the buffet line.
Instead, several guests opted to sit in the large sitting area located just beyond the buffet line and bar.
The seats in this area were large and extremely comfortable. Also, most seats in this area offered easy access to power outlets although only EU style plugs were offered.
Beyond that area was a small dining area. Personally I felt as though these seating areas should have been switched as guests with food had to pass through the first sitting area, but Finnair never asked me for my opinion in the matter.
The dining area filled up at various times throughout my visit as most guests opted to sit and eat before taking a seat in the other areas of the lounge.
Beyond the lounge’s dining room was a “media room” of sorts. Expect this media room featured a line of high-backed leather chairs which faced one another and a TV at one end.
Located beneath the TV was a small tea and coffee station. One thing I quickly noticed about this lounge is that coat racks could be find in nearly every area of the lounge. I suppose these coat racks come in handy during the winter months in Finland.
Finnair Premium Lounge Sitting Room
The next area of the lounge occupied the entire center section of the space and quickly became one of the best lounge spaces I’ve ever visited. The room was simply a large square filled with comfy lounge style chairs. Surrounding the space were various counters which featured Finnair gift items such as Marimekko mugs or Iittala Ultima Thule glasses.
As you sit down you’ll quickly realize how congested this space is as your knees almost touch those of guests sitting across from you.
While all of the above are reasons why I wouldn’t like the space, it’s the ceiling above the area which caused me to fall in love with this area. See, the ceiling changes colors and the hanging lights move. The result is a relaxing and fun light show that helps pass the time as I sat there waiting for my flight.
In fact, I enjoyed the show so much that I grabbed a cappuccino, sat back, and watched the entire cycle.
Finnair Premium Lounge Helsinki Light Show
The light show began with a deep red color paired with the overhead lights in the down position and dimmed. This was the setup of the room when I first sat down and had no idea of the dramatic changes in lighting that followed.
Red was quickly followed by a very light green. When the lighting transitioned to green the overhead lights retracted fully into the ceiling and switched into the fully on setting. This transition happened rapidly and was quite alarming to those who weren’t expecting the change.
After green, the ceiling color changed to blue and the hanging lights dimmed slightly.
After blue it was back to red and the process started over again.
Ok fine, I get it, changing lights in the ceiling might not seem that exciting, but as far as airport lounges go, it is. I can’t think of any other lounge I’ve ever visited with such a unique display of light and color.
Finnair Premium Lounge Helsinki Relax Area
After thouroughly enjoying the sitting room’s light display I ventured toward the rear of the Finnair Premium lounge. Before heading up the stairs to the Relax Area there is a beverage area stocked with water and soft drinks. There were also bar snacks available in this area of the lounge.
Once upstairs I found myself in a large room with more of the large high-back leather chairs found in the “media center” area of the lounge.
Along the far wall of the lounge was a line of chairs which faced a window to a faux outdoor area.
Then at the other end of this area was the “Relax Area” which featured a few fully enclosed seating areas.
These areas, surrounded by curtains, offered zero gravity chairs which proved quite comfortable for napping.
Located just down the stairs from the “Relax Area” was a final sitting area more designed for those trying to work in the lounge.
There were a few 4-top tables with ample access to power outlets.
At the far end of this area was the “Kids Area” which I didn’t take pictures of because strangers don’t really appreciate it when you take pictures of their kids playing in an airport lounge.
Finnair Premium Lounge Shower Cabinets
This area is actually shared by both the Premium Lounge and Finnair Lounge, but during my visit I had no issues finding an open shower suite. Guests from either lounge can use the shower cabinets found through the door pictured below.
Once inside you’ll find a squared off room with six total shower suites.
There was no shower attendant present when I visited this area. Instead, I checked for a “vacant” shower cabinet and proceeded inside.
Inside I found a sterile shower room with a sink, a toilet, and a shower.
Above the toilet was a small woven basket filled with various toiletries and amenities.
The basket contained a comb, shaving kit, lotion, conditioner, a shower cap, and a dental kit.
Notably shower gel and shampoo was missing from the basket, but luckily a two-in-one dispenser could be found in the shower.
The shower was less than impressive, but the water pressure was strong and temperature hot throughout my shower.
The only issue with the shower was the leakage from under the shower door. When I got out the floor of the shower cabinet was completely soaked. For that reason, I’d recommend putting the bath mat down before getting into the shower. A towel, bath mat, and hand towel were found on the small table located next to the sink.
Above the table is in fact the toilet paper dispenser which as you can see is quite far away from the toilet.
Finnair Premium Lounge Helsinki Sauna
Yep, you read that right, the Finnair Lounge located in the Non-Schengen area of the airport features a sauna!
The sauna is located at the far end of the central shower room. I was unable to get any photos of the sauna as there were other guests inside during my visit. However, as you guessed, once inside you are in a full sauna. Behind he above door is a shower area to rinse off.
Then within that room is a wood lined sauna.
Since I couldn’t get pictures of this space I’ve included concept photos from Finnair.
Final Thoughts
Ever since I first read about this lounge and the sauna I’ve wanted a chance to step inside. Usually when I go into a lounge with high expectations I’m disappointed, but this time I was not. I definitely wan’t blown away with the space as I was with the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge, but this lounge was very nice.
The food selection was a little more limited than other lounges found throughout the OneWorld lounge network, but everything I sampled (especially the desserts) was delicious. Additionally the beverage selections found in the lounge proved adequate and on par with most international business class lounges.
Lastly, the shower cabinets and sauna were available, but neither were exceptionally “nice.” As was the case with most of the lounge, everything was just there and tidy. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but it’s exceptionally Finnish. The Finns are tidy and content. You won’t find a lot of over the top flashy features and instead you’ll find that everything is simply nice and tidy.
Overall, if I ever get back to the Helsinki airport I will definitely make use of this lounge again. However, this is definitely not a lounge that I’m “excited” about visiting again. I didn’t particularly love this lounge, but I did quite enjoy my visit.
