Finnair is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its renowned Platinum Wing lounge at Helsinki Airport (HEL). This exclusive haven opened its doors on June 4, 2019, offering top-tier Finnair and oneworld members a luxurious experience. Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo and Platinum cardholders, along with oneworld Emerald members, have access to this unique space. The Platinum Wing lounge stands out with its exceptional dining and seating options, complemented by its Nordic-inspired design and unique amenities. A traditional Finnish sauna sets it apart as one of the most distinctive airport lounges globally.
With seating for up to 155 guests, the Platinum Wing lounge provides a welcoming retreat within Helsinki Airport’s non-Schengen area. Its traditional Finnish sauna is a highlight, featuring darkened natural aspen wood, mood lighting, and organic care products, offering a serene escape for travelers. The main lounge area features dedicated zones for working, resting, and dining, ensuring a well-rounded experience.
The culinary offerings are diverse and appealing, showcasing flavors from Finnair’s extensive Asian network alongside traditional Finnish dishes. The menu includes the airline’s signature Reindeer Burger, crafted from locally smoked reindeer and beef, with a vegan alternative known as the ‘Beyond Burger,’ plus an array of other special vegetarian options.
While Finnair’s North American routes have fully recovered, its Asian network is still recovering following the COVID pandemic and disruptions from Russian airspace restrictions. Finnair has gradually resumed flights to many Asian destinations, but currently operates at just over half of its pre-pandemic capacity for Far East routes. As of August 2024, Finnair serves ten destinations across Asia, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.
Finnair’s summer travel schedule reflects its robust Asian network, with over 250 monthly flights and more than 150,000 seats offered on its Asia routes. This represents just over half of the airline’s August 2019 capacity, when it serviced nearly 500 monthly flights to 17 Asian destinations.
In addition to expanding its flight network, Finnair has introduced a new Business Lounge on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport. Opened on July 9th, this upgraded lounge significantly enhances the travel experience for business travelers and Gold/Sapphire members flying on Finnair’s European routes. The new facility accommodates up to 440 guests—150 more than the previous lounge—and includes a special ‘Platinum Corner’ dedicated to elite-tier members, such as Platinum, Platinum Lumo, and Emerald.
