Aircraft Interiors International visited Helsinki to view Finnair’s new long-haul cabin designs. We captured a few design details of the €200 million (US$229m) project…
We stepped inside a maintenance hangar at Vantaa Airport. Among the aircraft within we found the first A350 fitted with the airline’s new long-haul cabinsWe couldn’t resist a walkaround before climbing on boardSeeing an engine close up is always amazingAnd the front is even coolerA stairway to heaven? We would soon find outThe view from the top of the stairsSome details of the 2015 A350. Finnair was the first European airline to take delivery of an A350. Now let’s step inside…One side of the boarding zone, finished in a new residential-inspired scheme, features a backlit round mirrorThe fore wall also features a credenza for inflight snacks and drinksThe opposite wall in the Door 2 boarding area also features the galley, concealed behind wooden doors. The glazed cabinets will hold the airline’s famous Iittala glasswareThe wooden doors conceal the various galley inserts and carts. Finnair worked with AIM Altitude on the designsStep inside the business class cabin and the changes are immediately obvious, from the darker colour scheme to the new seat: the AirLounge, for which Finnair is launch customerThe curved composite seat shells help create a soft feel for the cabin furnitureThe centre doubles in the 1-2-1 cabinEven the rear wall of the cabin has a soft, padded feelThe footwell of the AirLounge, as passengers will find it when boardingA small legrest can be deployed using the metal leverLegrest deployed!This is when AirLounge gets really interesting. Raise the infill panel and a flat surface is created, useful for lounging or sleepingSlide your legs into the footwell and a restful sleep awaits. Finnair will also supply a mattress and other bedding to enhance sleep comfortNote the curve of the AirLounge seat. The feel is akin to a sofa, giving passengers freedom of movement. It shows that comfort can be achieved without complex actuation systemsThe side table has a wood finish, with lighting controls so they can be accessed whether sitting or lying downThe side table surface also incorporates a wireless charging padWe found David Kondo, Finnair’s senior manager, customer experience and design strategy on board. Note he is demonstrating how passengers can sit cross-legged in AirLoungeThe outer seats extend as close to the sidewall as possible, for a cohesive cabin feelThe composite shells created a few design challenges. Find out more in the March 2022 issue of Aircraft Interiors InternationalBusiness class passengers will receive an amenity kit and headphones, among other inflight luxuriesThis lower stowage compartment is ideal for keeping small items secure, and accessible when lying downAnother useful stowage space, suitable for the seated positionThe upper stowage compartment contains various charging options, including USB A, USB C, PC power, complementing the wireless mobile charging pad on the tableThe AirLounge seat concept was originally conceived by PriestmanGoode of London. The seat was further developed by Collins Aerospace, with customisation and final design execution by Finnair and its appointed design partner, Tangerine
Premium Economy
Let’s step in the economy cabin: a new travel class for Finnair. The airline is also launch customer for another seat: the HAECO Vector Premium model
Comfort features include a six-way adjustable headrestWith a deep 8in recline and a waterfall leg rest, the Vector Premium is a generous model in the premium economy sectorFinnair is launching premium economy with a 26-seat cabin in the A350Finnair worked closely with HAECO and Tangerine to customise the seatbacks. Note the 13in IFE screensLower the lid of the small upper stowage compartment and a useful device holder is revealedPremium economy customers can two meal services as well as a selection of drinks throughout the flight. The cocktail table has a grippy surface to help keeps glasses in placeThe lower stowage compartment is large enough to accommodate a laptopThe neck pillow and woven blanket have been designed by Marimekko, the Finnish design house, specifically for the new premium economy experiencePremium economy guests also receive a Marimekko-designed amenity kit
Adam loves air travel, and since taking on the Aircraft Interiors International brand he has really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the latest aircraft and airline products before they are even launched. Adam co-ordinates the growth of the brand platform, and sits on various panels, including the Crystal Cabin Awards
By Adam Gavine
