Finnair has built a solid reputation for its stylish long-haul cabins, but how does its short-haul Finnair A321 business class London to Helsinki compare? With a single-aisle layout, no dedicated business class seats, and the ever-present gamble of European short-haul catering, I had my expectations firmly in check. Throw in a 2.5-hour delay before even reaching the airport, and things weren’t off to the smoothest start. Was the journey salvaged by Finnair’s famously efficient service, or did it all feel like paying a premium for an economy seat with a spare middle? Read on to find out.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: AY1340
From/To: London (LHR) to Helsinki (HEL)
Departure time: 07:30 (actual 10:45)
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 2 hours 25 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 2,500
Status Points: 40
Aircraft: OH-LZR
Aircraft type: Airbus A321
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 40
Seat: 3F
Position: right hand side of the aircraft, 3 rows from the front
Airport Experience
I checked in online the night before my flight and downloaded my boarding pass to my phone. Waking up at an ungodly hour, I spotted an email from Finnair informing me that my flight was delayed by 2.5 hours. The advice? Still turn up at the airport at the original departure time. As much as I appreciate their optimism about making up lost time, expecting passengers to loiter around the terminal for hours seemed a bit much.
The drive to Heathrow was blissfully quiet, and the journey from the car park was a breeze. Fast-track security was wonderfully empty, and within 10 minutes, I was past the scanners and heading towards a lounge. If only the rest of the journey would run as smoothly.
Flying Finnair A321 business class London to Helsinki meant access to both the Cathay Pacific and No.1 lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3. Given the choice, there was no contest—I made a beeline for Cathay Pacific.
The business class section of the lounge was an open-plan space with ample seating and a buffet. A counter offered hot food to order, and self-service stations provided a decent selection of cold drinks and alcohol. For those flying in first class, the dedicated area served à la carte meals with a mix of Asian and European breakfast options, along with self-pour Champagne.
I briefly wandered past the No.1 Lounge, where a queue was already snaking out the door. No thanks!
Boarding & Welcome
The gate officially opened at 09:10, though boarding didn’t kick off until 09:40. Inside the holding pen, seats were in short supply, so I stationed myself outside until I saw movement at the gate.
The aircraft was parked remotely, meaning we were herded onto buses at Gate 24B – a glorified cattle shed serving multiple flights. The gate staff remained tight-lipped about any further delays, despite the revised departure time coming and going while we all sat there. It’s always amusing when airlines pretend no one has noticed.
Eventually, at 10:00, the floodgates (or rather, the bus gates) opened, and everyone piled in with no semblance of order. Once onboard, the crew wasted no time securing the cabin, and by 10:22, the door was shut. The captain at least acknowledged the delay, explaining that the inbound flight had arrived late the previous night, requiring the crew to complete their mandatory rest.
Pushback finally happened at 10:30, and by 10:42, we were airborne, climbing into the grey London sky.
Seat
I had seat 3F, a window seat on the right side of the aircraft, three rows from the front. As expected, the middle seat remained unoccupied, though the aisle seat was also mercifully left free.
The cabin followed the typical European business class format: a standard 3-3 layout with 10 rows of business class, meaning a whopping 40 seats. That’s a hefty premium cabin for a single-aisle jet.
There was a fold-down tray table and a “device holder”—a clip and ledge supposedly designed for tablets. Not having an iPad with me, I had no way to test it, but it looked more like a flimsy afterthought than a well-integrated feature.
Luggage could be stowed in the overhead bins or under the seat in front. The netted seat-back pocket was large enough for a tablet or magazine but utterly useless for smaller items.
The seat reclined slightly—just enough to trick you into thinking it might be comfortable. My head nodded forward multiple times, confirming that it wasn’t.
The cabin was tidy but not particularly fresh. It had that “not quite deep cleaned” look. A missing ceiling panel above my head hinted at some maintenance neglect.
Power
What is the best seat on Finnair A321 business class?
Service came from both the front and rear of the cabin, meaning sitting closer to the front didn’t necessarily guarantee faster meal service.
Row 1 had the most legroom but came with the downside of being in direct view of the galley. Row 10, the overwing exit row, offered slightly more space but limited window views and extra noise from the engines.
For comfort, I’d choose row 1 or 2. If unavailable, rows 3 and 4 were reasonable alternatives. Avoid 1C and 1D—they’re directly in front of the curtain, meaning you’ll have crew brushing past constantly.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
The single front lavatory was completely inadequate for 40 business class passengers. A queue formed almost immediately. There were two additional toilets at the back of the aircraft, but trekking to economy wasn’t particularly appealing.
The only toiletry provided was a foaming hand wash branded with British Airways’ logo—probably because this aircraft had been operating BA flights for the past week under a wet lease agreement.
No amenity kit was provided – not unexpected for a short-haul flight.
Food & Drink
The meal service started 30 minutes after takeoff but was promptly suspended due to turbulence. Once things settled, breakfast was served on a tray with no choice of options.
The hot dish consisted of scrambled eggs with a frittata and spinach. Alongside was a small bowl of melon and pineapple, natural yoghurt with muesli, and a croissant—though calling it that felt generous. It had an odd texture and taste that was neither buttery nor flaky.
A selection of hot, cold, and alcoholic drinks was served from the trolley. My mimosa, made with Joseph Perrier Champagne and served in a Marimekko glass, was a highlight.
The service was swift and professional. Crew members were helpful with information about onward connections and Helsinki airport arrivals.
…
In-flight Entertainment
There was no seatback entertainment, no overhead screens, and not even a printed magazine. The flight map and arrival time could be accessed via the NordicSky portal without needing to pay for Wi-Fi, but that was about it.
Not a single USB port or power outlet was available at the seat. Given that the aircraft had Wi-Fi and a device holder, this seemed like a glaring omission.
Wi-Fi was available through the NordicSky network. Passengers on flexible fares got an hour free, while everyone else could fork out €9.95 for basic browsing.
BG1 Verdict
The seat was no better than what you’d find on EasyJet—though at least it reclined. The lack of power outlets was absurd for a business class product in 2024.
The delay was handled abysmally on the ground, with zero communication from Finnair staff. However, the crew onboard made an effort to apologise and keep passengers informed.
Service was friendly and efficient, which somewhat made up for the weak hard product and forgettable meal.
Would I fly Finnair A321 business class London to Helsinki again? Sure – but not at the price I paid, which was at the higher end due to the time of year and booking at short notice. The value for money didn’t quite stack up this time. Finnair fly the A350 on some of the flights between London and Helsinki, so I’ll try that next time.
BG1 Tip
There’s no power on the plane. If you’re flying the older short-haul aircraft (A320/A321) charge your devices before you board, and consider bringing an extra power bank.
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