Finnair tightens up its on-board services

If there is one airline in the world that is suffering particularly badly from a hostile political and economic environment, it is certainly Finnair. The Finnish airline had built its success on a niche positioning, linking Europe and Asia. But now, three years of Covid have affected traffic in Asia. Not least because of travel bans in many countries.

Since last year the ban on overflying Russian territoryfollowing the war in Ukraine. This ban has had catastrophic consequences for Finnair. Flights to Asia have been extended by an average of two to three hours. As a result, Finnair has lost its main asset: speed, with what were then the shortest flights between Europe and North-East Asia (China, Korea and Japan).

The airline is therefore fighting for its survival. It has partly reoriented its traffic towards North America, signed a cooperation agreement with Qatar Airways to cover Asia, and also launched a number of long-haul flights from Stockholm. Now it's the turn of the on-board service to suffer budget cuts.

Survival through on-board service...

" The changes to our in-flight services are part of the many measures we are taking to restore Finnair's profitability. " explains Eerika Enne, Finnair's Head of Inflight Customer Experience, on the Finnair website.

" On long-haul flights, the main service in all classes of travel is a hearty meal, but the second service is lighter. It includes either a light meal or a snack, depending on the route and duration of the flight. On the shortest long-haul flights, such as New York and Dubai, there is no longer a second meal service in economy class.. However, snacks and drinks are still available for purchase." she explains.

In business class on long-haul flights, passengers still benefit from two catering services. The second service is a light meal or, on shorter journeys, a snack. Dinner consists of two starters, a main course with three options, cheese and dessert. A wide selection of beverages is available throughout the flight.

For long-haul flights from Helsinki, it is still possible to pre-select the main course in "Manage booking" on Finnair.com.

In Premium Economy, the catering service includes two meal services. A main meal is followed by a light meal or snack, depending on the itinerary. The main meal consists of a starter, a hot main course with two options and a dessert. Complimentary drinks are included for the duration of the flight. While the sparkling wine option disappears.

In long-haul economy class, Finnair offers a set meal with drinks, including a free glass of wine or beer. A light meal or snack is offered on the longest flights. This second service will disappear on routes to New York and Dubai. Another rather surprising change. The airline withdraws its pillows in economy classFinnair continues to provide blankets and pillows, arguing that many passengers bring their own travel pillows (sic!). Finnair, however, continues to provide a blanket.

On short and medium-haul routes, Finnair has also reassessed its service. At business class on European flightsMeal service depends on the itinerary. It may now be reduced to a selection of sandwiches on some flights with a drinks service.

On longer flights, a hot main meal will continue to be offered. Champagne will be replaced by sparkling wine. In economy class, water and blueberry juice will continue to be offered. As well as snacks available on the in-flight menu.

Domestic flights by bus

Another change, this time very logical in the context of economies of scale and environmental protection, is that the domestic routes to Tampere and Turku from Helsinki are operated exclusively by bus. Flights used to take an average of 25 to 30 minutes.

Instead, Finnair operates four bus services a day between Turku and Helsinki airport and four bus services a day between Tampere and Helsinki airport. These can be booked with a Finnair flight.