Review: Finnair Airbus A350 ‘AirLounge’ Business Class

Back in 2022, Oneworld carrier Finnair began upgrading its Airbus A350 Business Class cabins by replacing the relatively mundane Safran Cirrus seats with a far more innovative and distinctive product – the Collins AirLounge seat, which has become famous for its unique non-reclining design.

The upgrade was also introduced on Finnair’s Airbus A330s, where the older Thompson Vantage seats – arranged in an unconventional alternating 2-2-1, 1-2-1 layout – got an even bigger upgrade with the switch to AirLounge.

With all aircraft now refitted and the Oneworld carrier operating daily flights between its Helsinki hub and several Asian cities – including Singapore – we decided it was high time for us to jump on board and experience this somewhat controversial Business Class product for ourselves.

That’s even more relevant because it’s now possible to redeem a one-way journey to or from Europe in this seat for as little as 62,500 Avios, with minimal taxes – the best value Business Class award on the route.

Flight details

• Flight: AY131 Helsinki International to Singapore Changi T1
• Class: Business
• Seat: 9L
• Aircraft Type: Airbus A350-900
• Aircraft Registration: OH-LWG
• Aircraft Age: 8.7 years
• Departure / Arrival: 00:25 / 18:25
• Flight Time: 13h 00m

The aircraft I travelled on for this review is one of the oldest Airbus A350s in service, first delivered to Finnair on 29th September 2016, but it was refitted with the latest AirLounge Business Class seats in early 2022.

Finnair has been significantly impacted by airspace restrictions stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war and other recent Middle East conflicts. This flight, which took just 11 hours and 20 minutes back in December 2019, now clocks in at 13 hours – a 13% increase.

The Collins AirLounge seat

Finnair Business Class wasn’t previously very high on our list for a flight review – that is until the airline made a very bold decision to refit its long-haul aircraft with something truly unique for this cabin: a non-reclining seat.

That’s in the form of the Collins Aerospace AirLounge product, an off-the-shelf option available to all airlines but currently exclusively adopted by Finnair – now standard fit in Business Class across the Oneworld carrier’s entire Airbus A330 and A350 fleets.

David Kondo, then Head of Customer Experience and Product Design at Finnair, first saw a prototype of the Collins Aerospace AirLounge seat at an aviation industry conference – and decided that this was the future for the carrier’s Business Class.

“Once I saw the seat I fell in love with it and convinced Collins Aerospace that Finnair was the right partner to launch it.

“If you look at the market, a lot of the seats used by airlines are actually the same. So even though you’ll see differences in color and finish and occasionally a slightly different aesthetic, there are not actually many business class seats out there.

“With Collins’ AirLounge seat, we saw an opportunity to change the thinking of how you fly in business.”

 David Kondo, Head of Customer Experience and Product Design, Finnair

The brave decision was made and the rest – as they say – is history.

Finnair even removed all of its relatively new Business Class Cirrus seats in a 1-2-1 configuration – most of them barely five years old – and replaced them with the new AirLounge product.

Hats off to the airline for that, especially impressive when you consider most airlines aim for a return on investment over at least 10 years for new cabin products.

When I needed to return from Europe recently, it was therefore fortunate that there was award space on Finnair’s daily flight from Helsinki to Singapore – an ideal opportunity to finally experience this unique product firsthand.

Booking

I’ll be honest – Qatar Airways had award space available in Business Class on my preferred date, so I was tempted to stick with my usual UK-Doha-Singapore routing for 75,000 Avios + GBP 390. Yes, the taxes are on the high side thanks to UK APD and Qatar’s award segment fees, but with the Qsuite, excellent lounges, and consistently solid service, it’s a reliable choice that rarely disappoints.

However, I couldn’t resist the chance to finally try Finnair’s AirLounge seat. It required slightly more miles but came with lower cash outlay, and it’s been on my wish list for ages.

Still, it felt like a gamble. Those side foot cubbies reminded me of Singapore Airlines’ long-haul Business Class seats – notorious for awkward footwells and less-than-ideal sleeping positions, unless you snag a bulkhead row.

Were those fears justified? Time to find out.

How many miles?

I redeemed the full Manchester-Helsinki-Singapore itinerary for 80,500 Avios points from my British Airways account, plus S$429 in taxes and fees.

The high cash outlay was mostly due to the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD), which exceeds S$350 for Business Class passengers flying all the way to a “Band C” destination like Singapore on a single ticket.

The best value redemption is actually on the Helsinki-Singapore segment, which currently costs just 62,500 Avios + S$51 for a standalone redemption. However, I needed a protected connection all the way through from Manchester because of the limited time I had for this journey home.

You can check out my review of the Business Class experience on Finnair’s Embraer E190 flight from Manchester to Singapore here.

Seat selection

I flew to Singapore on one of Finnair’s A350s with a ’43J’ Business Class configuration, which has 30 AirLounge seats in the forward section and a further 13 in a mini-cabin behind the second set of main passenger doors.

Finnair normally charges for advance seat selection – yes even in Business Class – with higher pricing for its ‘A’ and ‘L’ window seats on the A350 (so-called ‘Preferred seats’) compared to the middle ‘D’ and ‘H’ ones (so-called ‘Standard seats’).

The only exception to advance seat selection charges in this cabin is when you book the airline’s ‘Business Flex’ ticket type or – to my surprise – an award ticket!

My British Airways Executive Club ticket redeemed using Avios points was booked into the Business Flex category, so I got free seat selection – not something I had expected.

As you can probably see from the seat map above, eight of the seats in this configuration are bulkhead positions with additional legroom thanks to no seat being positioned in front of them. These are:

• 1D, 1H
• 2A, 2L
• 9L
• 10A, 10D, 10H

To my surprise – I could snag one at no additional charge – so 9L it was!

Finnair also has a ‘J-lite’ version of the A350, which only features 30 Business Class seats in the forward section, but don’t worry – these are all AirLounge too.

In this configuration, it’s only 1D, 1H, 2A and 2L that offer the bulkhead’s additional leg space.

Lounge

I arrived from Manchester on a Finnair Embraer E190 flight (review here), but that service was delayed by over 30 minutes and so only arrived at the gate around an hour before the departure of AY131 to Singapore.

That left me with only a brief window to check out the Finnair lounge at Helsinki Airport, but I still managed to pop in for a quick glass of champagne from the tended bar, and top up my phone’s battery, before boarding was called.

From my brief visit, the lounge left a positive impression – a stylishly designed space with a range of seating options, including private pod-style chairs. With just two remaining departures that evening – to Singapore and Hong Kong – it was also virtually empty, making for a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Hopefully in future there will be an opportunity for us to review the facility in more detail.

Boarding

Down at the boarding gate, there was a priority line for those travelling in Business Class, or for Economy Class passengers holding elite status in Finnair’s loyalty programme, or an equivalent Oneworld tier (Emerald or Sapphire).

Boarding began just minutes after I arrived at the gate, and I took a chance to photograph the spacious eight-row forward cabin that houses most – or on some Finnair A350 aircraft, all – of the Business Class seats.

The first thing that strikes you boarding the Finnair A350 is the exceptionally well-designed galley at the entrance doors.

Instead of the usual functional metal galley greeting passengers, Finnair presents a welcoming space with sleek blue walls, wood-effect countertops, an illuminated logo, and even a mirror – creating a clean, almost hotel-like first impression that sets high expectations from the moment you step aboard.

The Business Class menu and amenity kit are placed on the seat’s side console upon boarding, while the head-height side storage compartment is left slightly ajar – a thoughtful touch, since it’s easy to miss when fully closed.

Note that there are overhead lockers over the side seats and in the centre in this mini-cabin section at Rows 9 to 12, but the middle lockers are not installed in the forward section – Rows 1 to 8.

Settling in

First impressions? The seat felt enormous – offering space that I’d argue is more akin to First Class than Business Class, largely due to the absence of a traditional seat taking up all the room in the ‘shell’.

The crew promptly offered a welcome drink, and I opted for a glass of the Joseph Perrier champagne – a non-vintage Cuvée Royale and a decent drop that you’ll also find served in the British Airways and Qantas First lounges in Singapore.

The glassware is beautiful, designed in 1952 by Finland’s Iittala, and remains a timeless classic for the airline. It continues to be a signature feature on board Finnair flights and is apparently still a staple in many Finnish homes too!

Water and Finnair’s signature Blueberry juice are also offered as alternative pre-departure beverages.

So, first impressions? Apart from the lack of a traditional seat frame, two things struck me about the AirLounge product almost straight away as I settled in.

Firstly, there isn’t really a headrest as such, however the padded seat shell means you can still lean your head against it comfortably, albeit a little awkwardly.

Secondly, there is effectively only one armrest – on the console side. At my seat, that meant there was no armrest on the left.

I thought the dark blue professional-looking fabric added to the premium feel of this seat, and while it does take a little while to figure out how AirLounge will work for you personally, I relatively quickly managed to position the two pillows and make myself comfortable as I admired the huge space available in this seat design.

Seat controls and positions

This might be the shortest section on the topic we’ve ever written in a Business Class flight review!

The seat controls panel at the side console is remarkably simple for this AirLounge product – with only one seat control available.

That’s the second button from the left, which controls the extendable infill pad that raises in whatever intermediate position you wish, from being a leg rest to eventually form a fully flat surface – which is the bed, or sofa if you prefer!

Is the AirLounge private enough?

Closing privacy doors for a suite-style arrangement are now almost ‘de rigueur’ in the latest Business Class seat products being rolled out both today and over the last decade or so, but interestingly Finnair did not go down this route with the AirLounge product.

That’s probably because the seat’s wrap-around winged shell provides excellent privacy, despite the absence of a closing door.

The high-backed design with its curved side wing ensures that in nearly all seating positions, other passengers are completely out of sight, and that’s exactly what I found during my flight from Helsinki to Singapore.

Even if seated alongside a stranger at the middle seat pairs, a full-height divider provides complete privacy while seated.

I found it to be a cosy feeling in this ‘cocoon’ of a seat, even without a door installed, and I wouldn’t let that put you off even compared to some of the most private closed-door suite Business Class seats like Qatar’s Qsuite.

The crux: Is the AirLounge comfortable?

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the AirLounge seat for those who haven’t tried it is whether it can provide sufficient comfort with no traditional recline function, and just a couple of cushions to make yourself comfortable.

Personally once I settled in I loved it – the spacious seat actually allows for comfortable lounging in various positions – something typically more restrictive in conventional Business Class seats.

The padded seat shell is designed to eliminate the need for a traditional headrest, allowing you to lean back comfortably against the curved surfaces – which is fine once you get used to it.

Two cushions are provided alongside the blanket, which I found adequate to make myself comfortable, though some passengers might prefer additional cushions to achieve their ideal setup.

Versatility is a great selling point of the seat – the spacious design allows you to sit cross-legged while working on a laptop, for example, curl up to watch movies, or lounge in various positions that would be impossible in traditional reclining seats.

While I found the seat comfort and the space offered exceptional, it’s probably not ideal for every passenger.

The AirLounge requires a certain level of adaptability – passengers who are comfortable curling up and slouching against the seat shell to watch movies like they would on the sofa at home will love it, but those who prefer more structured, upright positioning might feel less at ease.

For example, I really don’t think I would recommend it to my parents, in their 70s, because I’m sure they would find traditional reclining seats more logical and more comfortable.

The AirLounge represents a bold departure from conventional Business Class design, and for passengers who embrace its lounge-like philosophy, I think it delivers comfort that rivals or exceeds traditional lie-flat seats.

My verdict? While the seat doesn’t recline in the traditional sense, it doesn’t really need to – but you have to go in with the right mindset and be perhaps a little more adaptable than usual.

Table

The bi-fold dining table deploys from beneath the fixed side console, using a release button on the control panel. The design effectively offers three positions to suit different needs.

Partially extended: The table initially pops out in a compact position, perfect as an additional surface for drinks while using the main side table for other items.

Half-leaf format: The table can remain folded, providing half the full surface area – ideal for light meals, snacks, or smaller items like a tablet on a stand, without taking up excessive space.

Fully extended: When completely unfolded, the table provides a generous dining and work surface suitable for full meals or laptop use.

Overall the table proved sturdy surface. A nice design feature allows the table to be pushed sufficiently far from the seat to permit easy exit and re-entry – even with a full meal service in place. This means you can comfortably leave for the lavatory mid-meal without disrupting your dining setup.

Storage options

The AirLounge seat does not have an abundance of storage – with a deep square compartment in front of the side console forming the primary area for your electronic devices, amenity kit and other small belongings.

The compartment is split between a larger area and a deep device holder, suitable for most laptops and tablets as you can see in the following photo.

The storage compartment is easily accessible since it is flush with the seat / bed level.

Alternatively you can store some small items either on the side console next to you, or at the head-height compartment built into the seat shell where the headphones are located.

Power and device charging

Behind the door at the head-height storage compartment built into the seat shell, you’ll find a USB-A and USB-C charging socket for your devices.

However, these days most devices support wireless charging, and Finnair has embraced the latest Business Class seat trend of having a wireless charging pad installed on the side table.

This worked immediately on boarding and throughout the flight, but not during takeoff and landing.

Finally there is an AC multi-socket at floor level.

The multi-socket is a little awkwardly placed down by the floor. I set up my laptop on the tray table to do some work after breakfast, then realised it needed to be charged rather urgently. Sadly the more accessible USB-C port alongside the seat didn’t have enough power to do the job.

While it would keep my laptop alive, it wouldn’t charge it further, due to low wattage.

I therefore needed to access the multi-socket below, and with the table extended that’s not easy to do! In the end I restored everything and did it – first world problems I know but I think it would have been much better to have the multi-socket somewhere at seat level.

Amenity kit

The Amenity kit provided by Finnair in Business Class is relatively simple, with an attractive design by Marimekko, but very little in the way of content.

Inside the zip-lock bag, you’ll find:

• A bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, by The Humble Co.
• An eye mask, in the same design as the pouch itself
• A pair of earplugs

The SEES x Finnair card highlights the hand wash and hand & body lotion available via dispensers in the Business Class lavatories, though no lotion is included in the individual amenity kit itself.

Finnair does not provide pyjamas in Business Class, so be sure to pack your own loungewear or sleepwear if you prefer to change on overnight flights.

Toilets

In this version of the Finnair Airbus A350 there are three toilets for 43 Business Class passengers, a ratio of 14.3 passengers to each toilet. That’s almost identical to the Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Long Haul (14:1)

This particular flight was full in Business Class, but thankfully I never had to wait to use the toilet, though I walked forward to the ones at the front of the aircraft a couple of times since the closest one, ahead of seat 10A, was often occupied.

Toiletries are by Finnish fragrance house SEES, specialising in natural cosmetics.

The forward toilets, ahead of Row 1, also have a window.

A baby changing table folds down from the side wall, which also doubles as a handy bench – ideal for changing into your own pyjamas or loungewear for the flight.

Snack Bar

There’s a small snack bar located at the mid galley between the two Business Class cabins, where you can help yourself during the flight to still or sparkling water and snacks including cereal bars, crisps, pretzels, sweets and chocolates.

Wi-Fi

Finnair’s A350s feature Panasonic eXConnect global Ku-band satellite Wi-Fi, though it’s not complimentary for most passengers. The availability of free internet depends on your ticket type and frequent flyer status.

Business Class passengers with Classic or Flex tickets receive one hour of free Wi-Fi on long-haul flights. Those with Business Light fares get no complimentary allowance unless they hold Finnair Plus Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Lumo status. The free hour can be activated at any point during the flight, but cannot be paused once started.

Surprisingly, my British Airways award booking fell into the Business Flex category, entitling me to the complimentary hour alongside free seat selection as mentioned earlier.

Anticipating no free allowance, I pre-purchased a full-flight package for GBP 16.80 (~S$29) through Finnair’s Manage Booking portal. This proved unnecessary given my complimentary hour, and the price was identical to purchasing onboard – so there’s really no advantage to buying in advance.

Each connection is tied to a single device with no option to switch between devices, unlike some carriers that allow unlimited device switching within the same session. This inflexibility is frustrating if you have multiple devices and wish to switch your connection between them – impossible on Finnair.

The system displays concurrent user numbers, which is helpful since all passengers share the same bandwidth pool.

Here’s how the speed test results looked, taken at three separate points in the journey.

While functional for basic browsing and messaging, the connection feels dated and expensive compared to emerging Starlink-equipped airlines offering broadband-speed low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity. It would be nice to see Finnair upgrading to this next-generation Wi-Fi technology, to remain competitive.

In-flight entertainment

Finnair’s in-flight entertainment system on the Airbus A350 is called ‘Nordic Sky’, which runs on the Panasonic eX3 system.

There’s a large 18-inch touchscreen display, which you can also control via the remote stowed in the side compartment if you prefer.

The external cameras are a great feature, it’s a shame Singapore Airlines has chosen not include the feed for this to passengers (we understand the cameras still exist on their aircraft – but only the pilots can view them).

Otherwise the IFE selection is quite extensive – I counted over 200 movies, plus there are TV shows, games and music selections available. Finnair lets you browse the selection in advance of your flight here if you’re interested.

The menu for the flight is also available via the IFE system.

The screen is fixed in position, which makes it a little difficult to watch if you are lying down with just your head resting against the seat back – a tilt function here wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Finnair provides Phitek noise-cancelling headphones in Business Class which were comfortable and good quality.

One of the nice features of the IFE system is the timeline page, showing not only the departure and arrival time for the flight in both Helsinki and Singapore local timings, but also the meal service timings. This is useful for planning your sleep if you still want breakfast, since Finnair does not offer dine-on-demand.

Food and drink

Here’s a look at the food menu offered on board my Helsinki – Singapore flight.

AY-Menu-HEL-SIN

And here is the beverage menu, including the all-important wine list.

AY-Wine-List-HEL-SIN

One aspect that particularly impressed me was the wine selection – seven different options plus champagne, which is genuinely excellent for Business Class. There were also two dessert wines to choose from.

To put this in perspective, Singapore Airlines typically offers just five wine choices on long-haul flights in the same cabin, with one dessert wine or port, making Finnair’s offering notably generous.

Here’s how the champagne, wine and dessert wine selection on this flight stacks up on our favourite comparison website Vivino, out of 5.

It’s rare to see Rosé wine offered in Business Class, or even in First Class cabins for that matter, so it’s nice to see Finnair including this option.

Despite the extensive selection, I kept it simple with just a second glass of Joseph Perrier champagne after takeoff, followed by a glass of Pinot Noir with dinner – though the crew initially brought white wine by mistake, before quickly correcting it.

For the after take-off meal I chose the Beef Burgundy stew. While it was served at 1.30am Helsinki time, my body clock was still running on UK time – making it a still-reasonable 11.30pm for dinner.

Finnair serves business class meals via a single-tray service, which feels unnecessarily rushed and somewhat ‘budget’ for long-haul premium service. By the time I’d tucked in to some of my shrimp salad starter, the main course had already cooled to lukewarm – an inevitable consequence of this approach.

While single-tray service makes sense on shorter sectors like Singapore-Bangkok, a 13-hour flight like this offers ample opportunity for the more civilised course-by-course presentation that better suits the premium cabin experience.

Dinner on this late-night departure felt very much like airline food – competent and satisfying, but unlikely to linger in memory long after landing like other Business Class meals I’ve enjoyed over the years.

The main course delivered mixed results. The portion was on the small side, perhaps reflecting Finnair’s consideration of the 12.30am departure as more “supper” than a proper dinner service.

Ironically, the most flavourful element proved to be the baby onions, which had absorbed the Burgundy braising liquid beautifully. The beef itself was disappointing – fatty in some areas, overcooked in others, with an overall quality that felt below Business Class standards.

The accompanying elements fared better – fresh, crisp salad and quality bread rolls that provided welcome textural contrast to the hearty main dish.

Dessert was classic airline territory: a rich, dense chocolate marquise that would likely satisfy most passengers with a sweet tooth! For someone who typically skips dessert entirely, it was pleasant enough to warrant a few exploratory bites – I think most people with a sweet tooth would probably enjoy this one.

The breakfast, unusually in my experience, was the best of the two meals.

I chose the pan-fried salmon with scrambled eggs, though there was a brief moment of concern when the crew initially thought they might have run out – I’d woken later than most other passengers who were already tucking in to their meals. Fortunately, a quick check of the forward galley turned up a remaining portion for me.

The salmon was beautifully cooked with a flaky interior, while the scrambled eggs struck that elusive ‘fluffy’ balance – in-between creamy and firm, while the roasted potatoes were ‘properly’ crispy and piping hot. Most impressive though was the Hollandaise, which managed to be rich and smooth without the artificial tang that plagues so many airline attempts at this finicky sauce!

As far as breakfast main courses go in Business Class, this was a very enjoyable one.

Alongside there was a very tasty Finnish air-dried ham dish with cheese and grapes – not something I would normally choose but surprisingly good and a nice nod to some Finnish culinary tradition.

While not traditionally Finnish per se, it did capture the Nordic appreciation for quality cured meats and artisanal cheeses served with fresh fruits.

The oats were topped with fresh blueberries, strawberries, honey, and crunchy granola, and offered a good balance of creamy and sweet. For someone who usually skips this kind of option, I found it quite tasty nonetheless.

Overall, Finnair’s Business Class catering fell a bit short of expectations, particularly when measured against consistently excellent carriers (in my experience), like Qatar Airways.

While the breakfast showed genuine promise and elevated the overall experience, the dinner service felt decidedly average for a premium cabin. The single-tray presentation didn’t help matters, contributing to lukewarm mains and a somewhat rushed dining experience – inappropriate for a 13-hour flight.

Ultimately the dishes ranged from average to very good, but compared to the competition what’s my conclusion? All of them edible, none of them standout.

Sleeping in the AirLounge seat

Converting the Finnair A350 Business Class seat into a bed isn’t a complicated procedure.

With no seat back in the way, all you actually have to do is raise the infill pad to match the seat level via the automated seat controls, then pop the mattress pad and duvet down – a simple procedure to complete by yourself.

The mattress pad is a good addition here – the seat padding is relatively firm so this extra layer of cushioning does help with sleeping comfort, especially if you’re used to a softer bed at home.

A good tip here for those who want their sleeping surface even softer is to check with the crew if there are any spare mattress pads available, often the case on emptier flights, then if so double-down on the mattress surface for an even comfier bed base.

I managed to sleep for close to seven hours on this flight, and the additional foot space at the bulkhead row was appreciated.

There’s still decent foot space at Finnair’s non-bulkhead rows on the A350, but as you can see it is a little narrower and perhaps slightly less deep too.

The one slight comfort issue involved the sleeping seatbelt, which extends across the middle of the bed surface. As an auto-tensioning design, it maintains a consistently snug fit across your body throughout the night. While I’m all for safety, I found this constant pressure less comfortable than manually adjustable seat belt alternatives.

Service

The cabin crew serving the Business Class cabin were competent and professional, though not quite at the level that would make them memorable.

What immediately stood out was that all crew members in my section were Singapore-based, which created an unexpectedly familiar atmosphere from the moment I boarded in Helsinki – like being welcomed home before even leaving Europe!

The service style leaned more toward ‘on demand’ rather than the proactive approach you might expect from carriers like Singapore Airlines. Drink refills, for instance, generally required a polite request rather than being offered automatically. However, every interaction was courteous and responses were consistently prompt and accommodating when called upon.

While the service didn’t reach the heights of truly exceptional airline hospitality, it was solid, reliable, and delivered with warmth – more or less what you’d hope for on a long-haul journey.

Which Finnair flights have these seats?

Finnair’s Singapore route was one of the first to regularly receive the carrier’s new AirLounge Business Class seats back in April 2022, but the good news is that the carrier completed its refit of this cabin on all Airbus A350 and Airbus A330 aircraft over a year ago – in June 2024.

That means all 8 of the carrier’s Airbus A330-300s and all 18 Airbus A350-900s already have these seats installed, so provided you are travelling on one of those aircraft types you’re now guaranteed the AirLounge seat.

This includes all of Finnair’s Asia – Helsinki routes, comprising:

• Bangkok
• Delhi
• Hong Kong
• Nagoya (seasonal)
• Osaka
• Phuket (seasonal)
• Seoul
• Shanghai
• Singapore
• Tokyo Haneda
• Tokyo Narita

Having experienced Finnair’s AirLounge Business Class seat firsthand, I came to one clear conclusion: it’s an outstanding and innovative design that delivers exceptional comfort for most passengers. However, it may not be universally suitable for everyone.

Yes – it doesn’t have a door – but to be honest… it doesn’t really need one.

Finnair deserves credit for thinking outside the box with the AirLounge concept. You can’t make meaningful progress by simply following the crowd and sticking to the safe, conventional path – and here Finnair has proved this philosophy works.

I’m glad I tried this Finnair seat – once you get familiar with it, the AirLounge is a brilliant hard product, offering loads of space, while privacy – even without a closing door – was abundant.

The AirLounge particularly excels for – dare we say – younger more versatile passengers. If you’re someone who likes to curl up with a laptop or watching a movie on the sofa, stretch out in various positions, or simply appreciate having room to move around, this seat delivers in ways that traditional Business Class simply cannot match.

The sheer amount of space feels more akin to First Class, and the unique non-reclining philosophy actually works remarkably well once you embrace it.

However, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. Passengers who prefer more structured, upright seating positions – particularly older travellers who might find the adaptability requirements challenging – would likely be more comfortable with conventional reclining seats.

From a value perspective, the 62,500 Avios redemption for Helsinki-Singapore is exceptional – arguably one of the best Business Class awards available between Europe and Asia. When you factor in the minimal taxes and fees, it’s hard to find better value in this cabin class on this route.

The overall experience was positive despite some shortcomings in catering and service that prevented it from reaching the heights of carriers like Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines. But for me the innovative seat design more than compensated for these minor deficiencies.

Is it for everyone? Probably not. But I for one would now go out of my way to secure this seat on a flight between Asia and Europe in the future, especially for 62,500 Avios – an excellent deal.

Review Summary

4.5 / 5 among long-haul Business Class seats

Finnair A350 Business Class Finnair’s AirLounge Business Class represents a bold and successful departure from conventional seat design in this cabin, for those who value space and versatility over traditional reclining setups – now including me!

Flew: April 2025

(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)