Marisa Garcia Finnair achieves a unique, Nordic balance of design and utility with its non-Schengen Business Lounge at Helsinki Airport, making it an ideal place to chill, recover, refresh and recharge.
The new non-Schengen Business Class Lounge features contemporary Nordic design throughout, with new spaces to explore and upgraded food and beverage options.
“With more passengers flowing through Finnair’s home hub of Helsinki Airport, the new lounge complex increases seating capacity and space,” says Karim Al-Soufi, Vice President of Ground Experience at Finnair. “Together, the new combined lounge complex provides 200 additional seats over the lounges they replace.”
“Throughout the design process, we spent a lot of time to really understand how our customers use our lounges and what their needs are. This, in turn, informed the design of the spaces and services,” says David Kondo, Finnair’s Head of Customer Experience Product Design. “The result is a lounge that offers a variety of different zones and seating styles, providing our customers with different options on how they want to spend their time.”
A timeless Nordic interior
The aesthetic of the new lounge complex marks the emergence of Finnair’s new design language which centres on Nordicness, simplicity, clean lines, natural materials and texture to provide a warmer and more “human” experience.
The furniture selection includes both modern and classic design pieces from esteemed Nordic brands that stand the test of time. For example, the entrance area features Eero Aarnio’s ball chairs.
Alongside the previously opened Platinum Wing Lounge, the Business Lounge was designed as a collaboration between Helsinki-based KOKO3, London-based Tangerine and Finnair’s internal design team.
A fresh Nordic menu tailored to international tastes
Guests can taste the Nordics with a menu that features the best local produce in season. The lounge is operated in partnership with Finnish food provider Fazer, who will be preparing food in a new open kitchen concept which is coupled with a dedicated dining area. The rotating menu consists of a choice of three main courses with meat, fish and vegetarian options, six salads and a wide selection of desserts.
A new full-service bar will operate at peak times offering an enhanced range of beverages including premium alcohol and speciality coffees. Several drinks stations are dotted throughout the lounge, alongside a “quick coffee” area at the front of the lounge for those who are in a hurry.
Whichever spot hits the spot
The new lounge is broken up in a variety of smaller “pockets” aligned to different customer needs and activities. The deeper you go into the lounge, the quieter and more private it becomes. Several different seating options are available, ranging from social open banquet style seating suitable for groups through to more private solo seating. A new family pocket stocked with games and activities is available for those travelling with children.
There are power outlets at almost every seated position. Soundproof phone booths and printing facilities are also available.
For those wishing to freshen up, five newly refurbished shower suites stocked with L:a Bruket cosmetics can be booked with a touchscreen reservation system.
The Business Lounge is available to all Finnair Business Class customers, Finnair Plus Gold and oneworld Sapphire members when the departure flight leaves from the non-Schengen area and is operated and marketed by a oneworld airline. All other customers can purchase lounge access for off-peak hours either in advance or at the lounge reception. The Lounge fits 600 customers and is open daily from 5:30am to 12 midnight.
