The food that enters the mind must be watched
as closely as the food that enters the body.
As you are very aware by now I just love great food! Last time I shared with you the wonderful and spectacular culinary delights I had at Parador Resort & Spa in Costa Rica and see that many of you enjoyed seeing so many photos of delicious creations.
I was recently going through my archives and found some that I almost forgot and they certainly deserve more attention!
You may or may not know this but last I received an invitation to fly to Helsinki, Finland in order to participate in a group workshop organized by Helsinki Airport and Quality Hunters where travel experts, enthusiasts, influencers and community members met to generate ideas on how to improve air travel and passenger experience at the airport, during the flight and upon arrival. We sure had a great time working and discovering the city!
Now on my way there I got to witness and experience Finnair‘s legendary service on-board. Nothing prepared me for the culinary adventure at 35 000 feet in the air 🙂
After flying on OneWorld airline partner, American Airlines, to New York City’s JFK airport, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I had been upgraded to Business Class for my 2nd leg of the trip: NYC-Helsinki.
So what did that mean you ask?
Well, for starters, I had access to the Admiral’s Lounge at Terminal 8 before the flight which was very nice.
Now the best part came when it came time to enjoy the in flight food.
Read on for the Finnair Business Class, An In-flight Dining Experience
Finnair serves a 3 course meal in Business class on all intercontinental flights. There are options you can choose from their menu and ordered after reaching cruising altitude.
Here is what I selected.
Welcome drink
Champagne
Entrée
Prosciutto ham and melon
Cheeses
Danish blue and cheddar
Main course
Beef filet with thyme demi-glacé, creamed spinach and potato gratin
Dessert
Fresh fruit
Drinks
Sirocco herbal tea
Breakfast (before arrival in Finland)
Omelette, sautéed vegetables, sausage, roasted potatoes, small bun, fresh fruit, yogurt, honey and coffee.
On my return flight, Helsinki-JFK, I opted for a lacto-ovo-vegetarian 3-course meal.
Entrée
Spinach salad with fig sauce, tofu and whole-wheat bun.
Main course
Risotto with mushroom ragout, Manchego cheese and pine nuts
Dessert
Fresh fruit and tea.
Snack (prior to landing in NYC)
Roasted vegetables: eggplants, red peppers, cherry tomatoes and tofu.
Needless to say that I was quite impressed by the high quality, freshness and exquisite taste of the food. I didn’t know it could be that savory at 30 000 feet!
Oh did I mention the fab wine & drink selection and Finnish coffee I had? 🙂
Finnair‘s service is unparalleled. The staff is very efficient, professional, makes you feel welcome from the moment you set foot on the plane and go above and beyond.
It was my first time flying with the airline and trust me it certainly will not be my last one.
Hopefully next time I will get to stay a few more days in order to explore the country and on my way to another European or Asian city!
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Finnair & Quality Hunters (Kiitos Paljon!) for allowing me to live and experience this. It will be a memory that will last for a long time!
Now over to you,
Tell me.
Have you ever been upgraded? If so by which company?
If you haven’t, would you like to one day? 🙂
One more thing, what has been your best in flight meal?
Tell me all about it! Better yet show me or send me photos!
I hope you enjoyed viewing these food pics.
Until next time!
Happy & safe travels,
K 🙂
Traveller Soul 
Thank You for this post. Now I know what delicacies they serve in Finnair’s business class. As an ex-worker for Finnair I can only dream to travel in business class. 🙂
Happy and safe travel!
My pleasure!
They sure are great delicacies and incredible for both the eyes and your taste buds 🙂
Oh you worked for Finnair? That’s great! The 90+ years they have been flying in the sky speaks volumes!
Can’t wait to go back to Finland 🙂
Yes, I really worked for Finnair all my life. Here is my story and huge amount of photos:
About me.
Happy and safe travel!
Upgraded? Yes, I’ve received complimentary upgrades from KLM and Emirates. Mind you as a relatively high status frequent flyer card holder with them I think that certainly helps 🙂
Nice review Karla and good to hear of your experience. This is especially helpful for me. A couple of years ago Finnair cropped up as a flight option on one of my business trips. I’ve never flown with them before so did some online research. Virtually all the online reviews I found were highly critical of Finnair and it really put me off. To such an extent I took a different flight option. Now I know that you recommend them I’ll keep an eye out if they pop up again as an option.
Upgrades are very nice and you’re lucky to receive a few since you are a frequent traveler!
I loved KLM as well! Got to sit in front of the plane on my way from Amsterdam to Rome. It also happened with Cathay Pacific from Seoul to Hong Kong 🙂 I was told they needed a seat in coach, so they happily showed me my roomier seat in biz class 🙂
I am glad you like the review and coming from a travel expert and connoisseur it makes me feel great and that I did the right thing by posting it. I just wonder why it took me so long, i had them stored in a file on my pc & the pics are instagram worthy!
I’m sorry you did not have a good experience with Finnair in the past but you could give them another try?
I keep reading & hearing about Finnair’s One World partners complaints over and over again ( I am talking about American Airlines) but in my 15+ years travelling with them I don’t have anything to say but great job. It’s all a matter of attitude I believe. I always have and always will support them in the good times and not so good!
Let me know if you decide to fly with the Scandinavian airline again, oh btw you would LOVE the business lounge at Helsinki Airport. I have photos of that too. Shall I prepare another post? 🙂
I sincerely appreciate the time you took to write me a few lines and many happy travels!
K 🙂
Hi Karla,
Thanks for a lovely reply 🙂
Yes, most definitely do a review of the lounge. You can guest post it on my site if you like, it would be a perfect fit 🙂
I’ve never actually flown Finn Air yet. All the reviews really put me off although admittedly it was a couple of years ago.
I do think this and your experiences with American Airlines highlight two very important factors. 1. The crew you get on the day can make a massive impact on the experience and lasting memory that you have. 2. It is all a matter of opinion.
Take care and let me know if you want to share your lounge experience 🙂
We haven’t been up graded… yet 😉 but hopefully one day. That Risotto with mushroom ragout, Manchego cheese and pine nuts looks amazing. We don’t have anything that was memorable, but when we do we will come back and let you know!
I sure hope you get that lovely surprise one day. It is quite special!
I seriously loved that Risotto and it was hot out of the oven. As you know I am a photography nut, so of course I had to capture that delicious creation before me 😉
Overall I was really surprised with Finnair’s customer service, from the moment you check-in until you get off the plane at final destination.
Both flights were very smooth and the in flight food was the highlight of the trip 🙂
Next time you travel, take pics of the food because I want to see it!
Thank you for stopping by!
Til next time 🙂
I’ve never used Finnair before as I too saw a lot of negative comments. I might try them though as I do actually want to go to Finland in the Spring LOL, and your review is pretty neat!
I have been upgraded in the past. It was a flight from Berlin to London with British Airways. This was about 15 years ago so the service was impeccable. I was upgraded to first class. Brilliant silver service. Just brilliant. I still have the menu!
You are the second person who mentions that they read too many negative comments which influenced your decision not to fly with them.
I disregard such comments and always go with my instincts and find out that it is way overhyped!
In my 20+ years of flying by myself (working to buy my own tickets & pay for my holidays) I did not experience any bad flights or had complaints about any company.
As I mentioned to someone earlier, it all depends on our attitude and how we face difficulties or situations that require a big dose of patience!
As a traveler and flyer, we have so many options and it is ultimately up to us to choose and live the experience.
I firmly believe that we everyone deserves a fair try and venting out is not going to resolve anything. Just speaking my mind here and defending some who deserve it 😉
I really hope you get to travel with Finnair which is an excellent carrier and if you do, let me know how it goes.
I sure can’t wait to return to Finland, the land of a 1000 lakes, kind and fun people 🙂
‘Will do!
I’ll be going to Helsinki for a few days in April so I’ll give them a try. For short haul, it’s a no-brainer but for long-haul I prefer my favourites ‘cos of my airmiles, etc. I’ve just booked Norwegian Air for a short trip from Barcelona to Berlin. It’s a start LOL! Are you going to TBEX?
Great, let us know how it goes!
I don’t think I’ll make it to TBEX in Europe but who knows, I might go to the one in Thailand 🙂
Happy travels!
Niiiice! I heard that the TBEX in Asia is pretty good going. Happy Travels and have a great holiday season!
Thank you so much!
Happy holidays to you and yours 🙂
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