Finnair: Teases new business class & Premium Economy announcement in January 2022
OK, I’m a bit behind the 8 ball, but this tweet came out last week on 8 December 2021. They are hinting at something, with discreet camera tracking of little seat details including the sean number ‘3L’
Expected to showcase the airlines new premium economy seating, the visual contradict this. ‘3L’ would definitely be a business class seat, and the wrap-around head height of the featured seat says ‘business’ much more than just ‘premium’.
The introduction of the new Premium Economy cabin was expected for the A350 and A330’s signalling the airline positioning as a ‘leisure airline’. A new Business Class design was not as expected.
Anyway, according to ET, we will not have to wait long to find out what is what, with these stylish dark fabrics, and signature light, as a launch event is scheduled for Helsinki on 19 January.
Seat Plan
Finnair currently runs 2 different layouts on both the A330-300 and A350-900 it owns:
Airbus A330-300 (333)
Seats: 45 Business, 178 Economy, 40 Economy Comfort
Seats: 32 Business, 217 Economy, 40 Economy Comfort
Airbus A350-900 (350)
Seats:46 Business, 208 Economy, 43 Economy Comfort
Seats:32 Business, 262 Economy, 42 Economy Comfort
We don’t know what the seat count will change to – but expect the overall to remain the same, with a reduction in Business – maybe the second business class cabin in the seating plan below becomes Premium Economy along with the, those Economy Comfort seats. Configuration could be 8 across as 2-4-2
2PAXfly Takeout
This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.
The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.
I know Finland is a long way from Australia, but Finnair is also a member of the One World alliance, and they fly to Singapore from Helsinki and from Stockholm and Helsinki to Bangkok. So, depending on price, and your European destination, they might be an option with a Qantas leg, especially with a renewed Business class, and a brand new Premium Economy cabin!
What did you say?