Impressions Of The Swanky New Finnair AirLounge

In the realm of Business Class, encountering a genuinely revolutionary product is a rarity. However, in 2022, Finnair accomplished just that by introducing an innovative project in collaboration with seat manufacturer Collins Aerospace, marking the inception of the first-ever business class seat that eschews traditional reclining mechanisms.

While this departure may initially grab attention for the wrong reasons, it underscores Finnair’s audacious and mostly a positive stride into uncharted territory.

First, here’s a few shots before we dive in:

Upon entering these Finnair aircraft, one may not discern significant deviations in the cabin at first glance. Yet, a closer inspection reveals a profound transformation in the form of deep blue upholstery, lending an air of sophistication to the cabin.

Looking back in, the visual appeal of the cabin is immediately noticeable, trading the stark white aesthetic of their first-generation A350 Business Seats by Cirrus III for a more aesthetically pleasing silver/chrome finish.

I’ve now flown this product twice and want to purely focus on my impressions and practicalities of this seat for this post. I will review at one of those flights to cover the service and soft elements in due course.

For the airline this has been a 3 year journey collaborating with Collins Aerospace to bring us this unique product with a Finnair flair.

Finnair AirLounge: Business Class With No Recline

First thing first, we need to address the fact that this is the first business class “seat” that does not recline.

Characterized more as a piece of furniture than a conventional seat, this shell-like structure presents an intriguing departure from the norm. So how might you be able to sleep in such a business class product you may wonder?

The method for transforming it into a sleeping surface is elegantly uncomplicated, involving only two moving components that seamlessly create a continuous flat expanse. A lever deploys one segment in front..

Finnair AirLounge Footrest Extended

while a larger component ascends from behind your legs, resulting in an expansive and uniform sleeping surface.

Therefore functionally, nothing is taken away from what is now a Business Class stable –  a flat surface to sleep!

Classy Nordic Designs

The Marimekko crafted textiles in deep blue adds a rich tone to the grey/silver exterior and trimmings. This is complemented well by the wooden side panels right down to the stylish bedding set.

Like most Nordic designs, it is minimal.

Even the cabin walls are padded in a stylish silver/grey. There is a distinct Finnair character to the product.

Finnair AirLounge Is Very Spacious

Made possible by a radical shift in how space is used within the limited square footage of an airline cabin. This is by far one of the most roomiest business class products currently out there.

You see, fancy business class seats generally come with fancy mechanical features that all need space adding to the trimmings of a seat, with such features the usable space by the passenger gets reduced. By making do with minimal features, these seats can maximize the space provided within the width/footprint of the seat.

This mean weather you are lounging or in bed mode, you have much more flexibility in how you sit or sleep.

In bed mode, it is one of the widest business class bed you will find with very little restriction at shoulder level or your knees when you move around.

The footwell on normal seats are good but the bulkheads provides more space

On Balance It Is More Comfortable Than You Think

The spacious nature of the product means that you have far more choice in how you sit and even which side you face. I was easily able to sit facing the windows and still have the shell to lean to when needed.

Many would rightly highlight the lack of recline must mean a negative passenger experience. But this need not be the case. It is true you may not have the level of precision of lounging at an angle to your exact preference.

But on a more natural level, you can make a good lounging position by the use of the pillows. Finnair provides you with two varying size pillows that you can use to make yourself comfortable.

I was genuinely surprised how little an issue the lack of motorised recline was. You can still very much create the reclined lounge position. And when you think about it, this is what most people would do when lounging in their sofas at home right?

There Are Some Downsides

There are some caveats I should note that might take some getting used to for some people. There is no built in head rest to keep your head in a fixed position. This can create some discomfort should you find yourself at very particular angles where your head/neck needs support.

Furthermore, I did notice the lack of armrests, which was actually my main issue with the product. Traditionally most business seats have adjustable armrests on both sides but here the design makes do without one.

If you are someone who habitually likes to relax with crossing your arms over your tummy, this may just be fine. For others it could present an issue. Again pillows could help here but if you are already using the two provided for lumber support, you will need to request extra pillows !

Plenty of Storage & Power

Finnair did not overlook the storage requirements for passengers here. To start you have the large storage compartment that is concealed just on the right/left of your knee area..

This has a built in storage space for water bottles, headphones and amenity kit/laptops etc

Then you have a further closed storage unit by your shoulder. This can be used for hanging your headphones but still leaving plenty of room for smaller items like gopro camaras/phones on charge.

You have universal power sockets by the feet, USB A/C and an integrated wireless charger on the side console.

Lastly if you have a bulkhead seat, you have an additional little storage unit right in front of you..

Overall Thoughts

I consider this to be amongst my favourite products now alongside QSuite and Apex Suites. I would much prefer this over Collins Aerospaces other products like the Super Diamond as found on British Airways and AeroMexico. It is a stylish product that also ticks many of the boxes for a good inflight experience.

There are indeed some downsides to the product. A notable feature I enjoy in some product including on Finnair’s original A350 Business Class was the in-seat massage feature, which isn’t available on this product. Some may even say these features are gimmicks.

On the plus side, due to having less mechanical parts, the lighter seats theoretically make them environmentally friendly & cheaper to run and maintain. This can only be good for our precious planet.