Review: Finnair’s new Schengen business class airport lounge in Helsinki

This is our review of the Finnair Schengen lounge in Helsinki Airport.

Finnair opened a brand new lounge for business class customers flying to Schengen destinations this summer, replacing the existing lounge. The new space is almost 50% larger and can accommodate up to 440 guests, addressing reports of overcrowding that plagued the previous lounge.

There is also a new ‘Platinum Corner’ for Finnair’s top-tier status members and oneworld Emerald (eg. BA Gold) cardholders.

The new Schengen lounge complements the Platinum Wing and Business Lounge which were both refurbished in 2019. It completes Finnair’s lounge refurbishment program, bringing all three lounges into alignment with the airline’s new midnight-blue business class cabins.

To be clear …. if you are flying from Helsinki to the UK, there is no need to use this lounge. There is a superior Business Class lounge in the non-Schengen area, next to the Platinum Wing, which is primarily used by long-haul travellers. We reviewed the non-Schengen Business Lounge here.

Where is the Finnair Schengen lounge?

The Schengen lounge is very easy to find. Just follow the signs to Gate 21. The lounge is on the upper floor, accessible via escalator or lift:

Automated barriers let you scan your boarding pass to enter the lounge or, if you are having problems, you can speak to the lounge attendant.

I was flying to Japan, a non-Schengen destination, but decided to ‘cross the border’ into the Schengen area to take a look at the lounge. Interestingly, it seems that Finnair ordinarily blocks non-Schengen passengers from entering the Schengen lounge. It was only when I explained to staff that I simply wanted to take a look at the new concept that they let me in.

The lounge is open from 5am until midnight.

Inside Finnair’s new Schengen lounge

The new Schengen Lounge applies the same Nordic design language that was ushered into the non-Schengen Lounges in 2019 and onboard Finnair’s long haul aircraft under the auspices of David Kondo, former Head of Customer Experience Product Design (who is now at Austrian but soon moving to Qantas).

This means replacing the glossy, bright design of the previous lounge with much a much warmer and richer palette of fabrics and natural wood in the airline’s signature inky blue. The new lounge has been designed by Studio Joanna Laajisto and incorporates furniture from Nordic designers such as Artek, Nikari and Gubi.

I had a soft spot for the old lounge – the large vertical tail fin in Finnair colours was a favourite – but you can’t argue with the new design. It now looks consistent with Finnair’s Schengen lounges and the new AirLounge business class seat.

A luggage store is available immediately as you enter:

You have a choice of turning left, into the business area of the lounge, or carry straight on into the dining area and, by the window, the lounging area.

Turning left, you’ll see a huge number of solo pods designed for indivdual travellers:

This is also where you’ll find a handful of showers that you can book using wall-mounted tablets. Toiletries are from the Finnish ‘SEES’ brand.

A bit further on you’ll find work pods with in-seat power (including USB-C) and more substantial laptop stands:

This part of the lounge has internal windows overlooking the terminal itself. In the corner is a stylish meeting room:

There are a number of booths for anyone who wants to take a phone call in private:

Circle back from this room and you’ll find yourself in the main lounge area. This is flanked by a large wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Whilst it was dark during my visit this should make it a bright and airy space during the day. Bar stools flank the window with views across the airport:

A range of fairly low-looking sofas and seating are in this area, which was by far the most popular during my visit: whilst the business area was deserted, this spot was quite busy.

Walking back towards the lounge entrance and you’ll find the dining area and buffet with solid granite tabletops:

and

Food during my visit consisted of ‘chicken Texmex casserole’ with rice plus a few different pre-made salads:

Desert was apple pie:

Wine and beer were available to pour yourself, but champagne is no longer offered in the Schengen lounge or on short haul business class flights. There were no spirits.

Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available throughout the lounge.

What about the Platinum Corner?

One feature new to this lounge is the addition of a ‘Platinum Corner’ for Finnair Plus Platinum, Platinum Lumo and oneworld Emerald status holders. It wasn’t clear what the new space entailed – whether it was a separate space or simply a cordoned-off area in the lounge – but I’m pleased to say it is an entirely separate space with its own entrance.

Instead of turning left at the turnstile, head for the turnstile on the right: if eligible, your boarding pass should automatically let you through.

Entrance to the lounge is through a moody corridor of midnight blue tiles and curtains:

Dedicated luggage storage lockers are available and there’s one shower in the Platinum Corner.

Inside, the lounge furniture is indistinguishable from the ‘main’ business class lounge next door. That means a granite-topped dining area:

The same free-form sofa and chairs:

and

Plus bar-style seating along the window:

The Platinum Corner also contains a sea of private booths and two phone booths for private calls:

The food is identical to next door, with the same ‘Texmex casserole’ and salads available.

The lounge features the same wines as the non-Schengen business class lounge, which I assume are upgraded over the standard Schengen lounge next door. Champagne is not available but you do get some Luxembourgian sparkling wine.

Conclusion

Whilst I had a sweet spot for Finnair’s old Schengen lounge, you can’t argue with this upgrade which is far larger and brings it up to date with the airline’s latest designs.

In my review of the old lounge I said that “the only thing that could be better is the food offering”. The same applies here: hot food is very limited with just one option.

The Platinum Corner is a welcome addition, despite the fact it is identical to the main part of the lounge. At the very least it should be a bit quieter by virtue of its stricter eligibility requirements, making it a more exclusive space.

If you are flying to the UK from Helsinki, there is no real value in stopping here and you may not even be allowed in. Head towards passport control into the non-Schengen area and use the newly renovated, superior, Business Class lounge which I reviewed here.

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2025)

Here are the five options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here.

You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.