Finnair were the winners of the Cabin Design (Business & First Class) Award  in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2022.

Over 4 years in the making, Finnair’s new elevated long haul experience with new cabin products in all cabin classes readies the airline for its centenary in 2023 and beyond.

The design brief was to create a distinctly Nordic and distinctly Finnair experience that would set the airline apart from its competitors, elevate its premium products and bolster its position as the airline of choice between Europe and Asia (taking advantage of its geographic location and the ‘short Northern route’).

The new design palette, which is being progressively rolled out across Finnair touchpoints draws inspiration from Nordic design tradition, residential design and nature. The new cabins are being rolled out to all of Finnair’s long haul fleet of 8x A330 and 19x A350, providing a consistent and elevated customer experience. Roll out will be completed in 2023, in time for Finnair’s 100th birthday.

Upon entry to the aircraft the passenger is greeted by a dark and moody lobby area, which sets the tone for the residential experience throughout the rest of the aircraft. While this area is a fully functioning galley space, hard edges, bare metal and galley equipment of typical aircraft entry areas make way for soft and rounded corners, louvred doors adorned in oak, a credenza unit and mirror. During cruise, the space can be used as a walk up bar, providing refreshments to Business Class customers.

Freedom to move and the ultimate sleep experience were the primary design drivers in Business Class, resulting in the innovative and groundbreaking ‘AirLounge’ seat concept to be selected. The seat does away with traditional recline mechanisms and incorporates a fixed, 3D sculpted shell to create more space for the passenger. Flexible infill panels on the seat base allows for a large flat surface to create a bed or extended lounge space. The seat is more like a piece of lounge furniture than a traditional aircraft seat and allows customers to sit in a wide variety of positions that other seats do not allow. Careful attention was paid to the finishings and detailing of the seat, with luxurious textures and features typically reserved for first class seats, along with carefully integrated adjustable lighting to create a comfortable and cosy space.

Finnair is the global launch customer of this new seat originally conceived by PriestmanGoode of London. The seat was then further developed by Finnair and Tangerine in partnership with Collins Aerospace.

As Business Class becomes more premium, this gave way to create space for Premium Economy. This product is targeted primarily to premium leisure customers and corporate travellers upselling from Economy Class. Finnair was the launch customer of the Haeco Vector Premium seat which was again heavily adapted and customised by Finnair and Tangerine. Key features include generous storage (for example the ability to stow a laptop for taxi, take-off and landing), large 13” IFE screen, large and sturdy single-leaf meal tray table. Careful attention was paid to comfort and ergonomics, incorporating waterfall leg rest, generous 8” recline, memory foam cushions and 6-way adjustable headrest, which will be paired with a separate neck pillow.

Associated/Suppliers: Collins Aerospace, Tangerine, Haeco, AIM Altitude

Finnair

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