Finnair opens Platinum Wing lounge

Finnair has opened a new lounge at it's Helsinki hub for the most elite of premium frequent flyers. It has a chic cocktail bar, pre-flight dining, and in-lounge Finnish sauna.

The new Finnair Platinum Wing at Helsinki Airport has finally fully opened, a month after initially opening it's doors while construction finished on the sauna area, and renovations were completed at the Finnair Business Lounge, when Finnair Plus Gold members were allowed in for a look around.

The new Finnair Platinum Wing is a oneworld Emerald lounge - and maybe the best one in Europe. If you just have a Business Class ticket, or indeed just a normal frequent flyer card, you won't get through the door. No, you need a full Platinum or oneworld Emerald card.

What's the Finnair Platinum Wing like?

It has seating for 155 passengers, with a modern, Scandinavian angle on classic Art Deco designs. There are deep navy and grey armchairs - which aren't actually that comfortable - along with wooden screens, and deep pile carpets.

Power sockets are everywhere, and with the armchairs with high wings, there are also little shelves to put smaller items like phones when they are charging.

The centre feature is the black coloured cocktail bar, where a barman will mix up cocktails for you, along with serving wine and beer. The selection if Finnish gin is worthy of note, and there is a bucket with bottles of champagne on the bar top.

In the morning there is barista coffee.

There is a small restaurant area with full a la carte dining and waiter service before the evening flights. Three main courses are on offer, with meat (steak, usually) fish and a veggie option, plus two dessert options.

There is also a buffet and salad bar if you are in a hurry, with desserts and snacks, and one of the most impressive cheeseboard to be found in Finnair's lounges.

There is also a large Finnish sauna which includes showers; always a bonus in the morning after the overnight flight from Asia.

The sauna are is great, with dark grey marble, and a feature lit coloured ceiling. Sounds of the Finnish forest are played in the sauna and the private shower suites.

The shower suites are booked via a touchscreen, where you block out a shower for a half hour block.

Who can access the Finnair Platinum Wing?

The Finnair Platinum Wing is the new most exclusive lounge at the airport.

You can only access the Finnair Platinum Wing if you are on a oneworld operated flight that leaves from the non-Schengen area of the terminal. With an EU passport you can also access it if you are on a Finnair flight from the Schengen area.

You also need to be a:

• Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo members (plus four guests)
• Finnair Plus Platinum members (plus one guest)
• Oneworld Emerald members (plus one guest)

the Finnair Platinum Wing is open from 0530 until 2359, with the last flight leaving for Hong Kong at midnight.

If you don't meet any of these criteria, you can either visit the Finnair Business Lounge which has almost finished it's refurbishment, but has limited food and drinks.

Alternatively, you can pay to use the brand new Helsinki Plaza Premium lounge.

At 445 sqm and with room for 140 passengers, the Plaza Premium lounge at Helsinki airport is on the third floor of the non-Schengen area by gate 34. With a typical pay per entry of 35 euro, it has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the apron, an open kitchen buffet, and Playroom, with toys by Australian toy brand Masterkidz.