Finnair to Reduce In-Flight Service (No More Pillow in Economy, No More Short-haul Champagne etc.)

Oneworld member Finnair will introduce changes to its inflight service starting on April 19, 2023. These changes include the removal of champagne, no more second service to New York & Dubai, the removal of blankets in long-haul economy class and adjustments to the short-haul business class service.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine affected Finnair pretty terribly. The airline’s previous strategy of using its geographical advantage to Asia has faded, and now the airline is trying to figure out how to proceed. As part of this transition, they made (or tried to make) decisions to “restore Finnair’s profitability”. As their plans to outsource more cabin crew positions did not succeed, they appear to change their in-flight service this time.

These changes made some frequent fliers angry, as it comes just a few years after Finnair’s Business Light fare.

The Changes

Business & Economy Class: Out with the Champagne, In with Sparkling Wine

One change that sparked a bit of controversy on social media was the removal of champagne from business class. However, this change is under the “European Flights” section. Yet, it’s not nice towards Platinum members who could previously get a free drink in economy and business class passengers.

Fortunately or unfortunately, you can’t bring your own champagne and drink it on the plane: while Helsinki Airport’s new CT-powered baggage scanners let those through, consuming your own alcoholic beverages onboard is prohibited on Finnair (and most – if not all – airlines).

Champagne is replaced by sparkling wine.

Finnair’s new service changes

European Business Class: Fewer Salads

While the changes to the European Business Class aren’t that detailed, we can make out that salads will be gone from a few flights. Also, the hot meal will be a sandwich on shorter flights, but they don’t detail what counts as shorter flights.

On European flights, Business Class meal service depends on the route, like before. The salads served on some flights will be replaced with a hot meal.

(…)

In Business Class on European flights, the meal service depends on the route. (…) On short flights, we offer you a sandwich with a selection of beverages. On longer flights, we provide a hot main meal, something sweet and beverages.

Economy Class: No More Second Service to New York & Dubai

Possibly one of the most interesting changes is the removal of the before-landing snack on routes to New York & Dubai. Finnair says passengers can buy food or bring granola bars. Dubai got promoted to a “long-haul flight” in October 2022, before that it was considered a European flight.

On our New York and Dubai routes, there is no second service, but you can purchase drinks and snacks from the onboard menu – or you can also bring your own snacks with you. Granola bars, crackers, or cookies are handy because they don’t take up much space or need cold storage and can be carried through security.

Economy Class: Bring Your Own Pillows

If you like pillows, you should bring your own, as those will not be offered in economy class anymore. Only the blanked will remain:

We provide blankets for our Economy Class customers on long-haul flights, but pillows are no longer available. Many customers already travel with their own travel pillow, and on long-haul flights, the neck rest supports your head.

Bottom Line

Overall, these changes aren’t nice. The changes themselves are manageable, but the style of the communique is really disrespectful. Pack granola bars? Bring your pillow? This doesn’t feel like how an airline celebrating its 100th anniversary communicates. And one can question how much does Finnair save with these changes. Finnair will publish the new menus later, which will be available on their website. You can read our review of Finnair’s new business class cabin below:

A Step Backwards? Review of the New Finnair Business Class on Helsinki – New York (Airbus A330)

Cover Picture: © Finnair