Finnair Business, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Helsinki Vantaa, Airbus A350-900 : Basic but solid

After some time in the JAL Sakura lounge, we leave the latter at the theoretical boarding time.

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Diary	Summer vacations in Thailand
2	Lounge	Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge, London Heathrow Terminal 3
3	Flight	Finnair Business Class, London Heathrow – Helsinki Vantaa, Airbus A350-900
4	Lounge	Salon Finnair Business Class, Helsinki Vantaa
5	Flight	Finnair Business Class, Helsinki Vantaa – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Airbus A350-900
6	Hotel	Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
7	Hotel	Kimpton Maa-Lai, Bangkok
8	Diary	Bangkok J1
9	Diary	Bangkok J2
10	Restaurant	Restaurant Saneh Jaan, Bangkok
11	Lounge	Bangkok Airways Lounge, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
12	Flight	Bangkok Airways Economy, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – Koh Samui, Airbus A319
13	Hotel	Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui
14	Diary	Koh Samui J1
15	Diary	Koh Samui J2
16	Lounge	Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Lounge, Koh Samui
17	Flight	Bangkok Airways Economy, Koh Samui – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Airbus A320
18	Hotel	The Peninsula, Bangkok
19	Restaurant	Le Normandie, Bangkok
20	Lounge	Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
21	Flight	Finnair Business Class, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – Helsinki Vantaa, Airbus A350-900
22	Lounge	Finnair Business lounge non-Schengen, Helsinki Vantaa
23	Flight	Finnair Business Class, Helsinki Vantaa – Londres Heathrow, Airbus A350-900

Today’s itinerary

Boarding

The D2 gate from which we board is not that close to the lounge, and it will take us a good 10 minutes to reach the gate, while boarding is well underway.

We proceed to our boarding without hindrance through the priority queue which allows us to access the aircraft without delay.

Cabin and welcome

New disappointment: it will be again the old Finnair Business cabin for me on this flight, as on the outbound flight. I invite you to refer to the report of the outward journey to discover this cabin.

It is supplied with pillow, blanket, noise reduction headphones and toiletry kit. This last one is different from the first one in its colors but identical in term of contents, thus rather poor.

During boarding, welcome drink trays are brought to passengers. I will choose a blueberry juice that I particularly like. No refills will be offered while boarding lasts.

I will change into my pajamas while boarding.

Service and catering

Unlike the outbound flight, the service starts quickly after takeoff.

First of all, a warm oshibori is distributed and the tablecloths installed on the tiny shelves. The service is really slow, even if it is much better than on the outward journey.

The trays with the starters and the main course are distributed.

The lemongrass salad is very flavorful, and the semi-cooked tuna perfect.

I will choose the braised beef which will be excellent, I will sauce the whole dish.

I will drink sparkling water and excellent Portuguese red wine.

After clearing this first tray, I will ask for the cheese and cheesecake for dessert, both of which will be very good.

I will skip a hot drink or a digestif, which will not be proposed anyway.

After the service, I will stretch out my seat and have an excellent 8-hour night.

During the night, a snack basket is placed at the head of the cabin

The lights are turned on 1h45 before the landing for the breakfast, much too early for my taste considering the proposed service.

A hot oshibori is offered before breakfast

I will skip the hot quiche stuffed with onions and focus on the yogurt muesli and the croissant which will be OK. My request for an espresso will be honored after a few minutes.

The espresso, very appreciated at the end of the meal

Arrival and disembarkation

We arrive at the gate in Helsinki almost an hour ahead of schedule. The gateway is set up quickly and we will be in the terminal in a few minutes.

Bottom line

A solid flight, with better catering than the outbound flight. But the lack of proactivity of the crew and the very slow service protocol is really prohibitive.