Finnair A350-900 business class HELSINKI-SINGAPORE

BACKGROUND In 2022, Finnair introduced a new business class (called the Airlounge), premium economy and economy on its retrofitted A350s and A330s. The new seats will also appear on the A350s that are yet to be delivered. Finnair expects the whole long-haul fleet to have Airlounge business seats by the end of 2023.

CHECK-IN The gate was already open for my 2325 flight (AY0131) once I connected from Heathrow. I went straight through to the priority boarding area and we started to board at 2300. As soon as I was at my seat I was offered a drink and my jacket was taken, then my main course order was taken. The plane pushed back a few minutes late at 2342 and, after de-icing, was airborne at midnight.

THE SEAT The Airlounge seat is unique in that it does not recline but still turns into a bed. It has a fixed back so, with the exception of the footrests, your sitting position is fixed. The seat converts into a bed when you raise the footrest on the seat and leg rest at the footrest. This fills in the gap between the footrest and seat. As the seat does not recline you have to slide down the bed/seat to sleep. The bed is spacious and I had no trouble sleeping on my back or turning onto my side. When sleeping there is a seat belt that goes around the waist. Unlike others I have tried, this was tensioned like a car seat belt so is tighter against the body. I thought this might restrict me as I moved, so decided to keep it off and hoped for no turbulence. For take-off and landing there is a waist belt with shoulder strap.