Enterprise-class assessment: Testing Finnair’s new NON-RECLINING pod-style seat on an A350 to Singapore

Trying up, I can see the colors of the Northern Lights dancing overhead.

However I am not within the Arctic.

I am testing out Finnair’s new business-class seat aboard an in a single day Airbus A350-900 flight from Helsinki to Singapore. The aurora-borealis-effect temper lighting, which performs out simply earlier than the cabin lights dim for an evening’s sleep, has been designed to fight jetlag.

The lighting is a slick contact, nevertheless it’s not probably the most outstanding characteristic of this brand-new cabin. That gong goes to the modern pod-style ‘AirLounge’ seat, which is making historical past as a business-class seat that does not recline.

Ailbhe MacMahon exams out Finnair’s modern new pod-style business-class seat aboard an in a single day flight from Helsinki to Singapore

Finnair’s ‘AirLounge’ seat is making historical past as a business-class seat that does not recline, says Ailbhe 

The seat is tucked inside a rounded shell, with two thick pillows – one massive, one small – providing help on the base of your again. Mine faces the window, with an extended footwell urgent in the direction of the aspect of the aircraft. There isn’t any privateness door, however the pod partitions curve round to such an extent that I can not see anybody else, bar the occasional flight attendant drifting via the aisles to supply Champagne or the airline’s signature blueberry juice.

It is ‘designed to appear and feel extra like a bit of traditional Nordic furnishings than a easy airline seat’, says Finnair.

Eradicating the recline operate creates numerous additional house, lending the seat a width of 21 inches (53cm) and a pitch of 78 inches (198cm).

When sleep beckons a partition between the footwell and the seat may be pulled up, turning the house right into a flatbed.

Sure in night-sky-blue cloth, it seems like a gentle and spacious nook to burrow away in.

The seat was initially conceived by London design firm PriestmanGoode and later developed by Collins Aerospace, Finnair and its design companion, Tangerine, over a interval of 4 years. 

Air pod: When sleep beckons a partition between the footwell and the seat may be pulled up, turning the house right into a flatbed

The cabin options Northern-Lights-effect temper lighting (left), which simsto fight jetlag. Champagne on board (proper) is served in a chic tumbler that is impressed by melting ice in Lapland

Now it is making waves within the airline trade. Since its launch, the seat has claimed the highest prize within the ‘Cabin Idea’ class on the 2022 Onboard Hospitality Awards and was a finalist in the identical class of the Crystal Cabin Awards 2022.

With all this hype, I used to be curious to attempt it out for myself.

My journey begins at London Heathrow, the place I board a Finnair A320 aircraft to make the three-hour journey to the Finnish capital. With a switch time of simply 40 minutes, there is no time to take a look at the Finnair Enterprise Lounge in Helsinki Airport’s non-Schengen space (extra on that on the return journey). As a substitute, it is a fast stroll to the ready A350 for the roughly 13-hour flight to Singapore.

The concept of spending 13 hours caught in the identical spot seemingly would not attraction to many, however from the place I am sitting, it seems to be like fairly a good-looking prospect.

OUTBOUND TO SINGAPORE

A glass of Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut (£33 retail) is proffered moments after I am seated in 11L. It is beautiful, however nicer nonetheless is the glass it is served in – a chic tumbler that is impressed by melting ice in Lapland, designed within the Nineteen Sixties by the late Finnish design maestro Tapio Wirkkala. It is a part of a theme I am seeing – Finnair has taken the very best of Finnish design and utilized it to the skies.

The Airbus A350-900 journey from Helsinki to Singapore takes roughly 13 hours  

Champagne in hand, the aircraft takes off, and I set my sights on turning the seat right into a flatbed.

It takes two steps.

First, I press a button to my proper, and the panel behind my knees silently strikes upwards and fills the hole between the footwell and the seat. Subsequent, I tug up the lever on the base of the footwell and a second panel pops up, wedging into the remainder of the hole. Voila, it is a mattress.

Straying from the Finnish theme, the format takes its cues from Japanese tradition, by which sitting on the ground is widespread follow. It is designed in such a method that passengers can sit cross-legged, upright, or lie down flat with ease. It is even roomy sufficient to attempt just a few yoga positions, in that case inclined.

The enterprise class seat is ‘designed to appear and feel extra like a bit of traditional Nordic furnishings than a easy airline seat’, says Finnair

‘My toes do not come anyplace close to the tip of the footwell (left),’ says Ailbhe. On the best is the panel of buttons put in within the aspect desk that controls the lighting and the flatbed operate

I unfurl the cream quilted ‘mattress’ blanket and lay it out as a base, earlier than scooting underneath the navy-blue quilt. There’s heaps of room for my 5ft 4in body – my toes do not come anyplace close to the tip of the footwell.

Once I need to lean again and watch a movie, the cushions supply a great deal of again help. That stated, I do ponder whether a passenger with pre-existing again points may miss the inbuilt help of the reclining operate. As soon as the cabin lights darken, it is completely comfy for an evening’s sleep. The mild snores within the cabin counsel I am not the one one which feels that method.

My blue cocoon is made cosier courtesy of the Finnish style model Marimekko, which has designed all of the textiles on board. 

‘Sure in night-sky-blue cloth, it seems like a gentle and spacious nook to burrow away in,’ says Ailbhe of the pod seat

Finnish style model Marimekko has designed all of the textiles on board – together with the pillows (left). The quilted blanket on the best acts as a mattress for the flatbed

The Marimekko amenity package (left) holds an eye fixed masks, lip balm and face cream by the Swedish skincare model L:A Bruket, spongey ear pods, a toothbrush and toothpaste. A cubby gap (proper) by the window is right for any stray fine details you need to stow away

Daring, graphic prints in shades of lilac, deep inexperienced and pebble gray are splashed throughout the cushions and quilt, in addition to the amenity package. This goodie bag holds an identical Marimekko eye masks, an almond and coconut lip balm and chamomile and lavender face cream by the Swedish skincare model L:A Bruket (the model can be within the loos, the place you may discover its grapefruit leaf hand lotions), spongey ear pods, a toothbrush comprised of cornstarch-based bioplastic and toothpaste. A pair of gray woollen slippers crank the consolation ranges up a notch.

A modern blue studying lamp is positioned by my head. Its brightness is adjusted utilizing a button that is constructed into the aspect desk, whereas one other button dims the lights by your toes. I can press the ‘don’t disturb’ gentle on the panel if I need to skip breakfast and snooze all the best way to Singapore.

At 18 inches (45cm), the TV display is massive, and is paired with a nifty pair of noise-cancelling headphones by Phitek. Sadly, the leisure choices are comparatively restricted in comparison with different airways, however the movies they do have are top-notch current blockbusters, in addition to a wide variety of traditional and world cinema.

The inflight leisure system provides Ailbhe updates concerning the standing of her switch flight (inventory picture)

Finnish design home Iittala has created the tableware on board 

The most effective characteristic of the inflight leisure system is the way it adapts to every passenger. It provides me updates concerning the standing of my switch flight, and an animated timeline tells me what number of hours we’re from our subsequent meal. It additionally spins off information concerning the airline – equivalent to how Finnair is without doubt one of the world’s oldest airways, having launched within the Roaring Twenties.

The counter is hidden away underneath the aspect desk to my proper. You press a button within the aspect panel to unlock it, pull it out and fold it right into a desk. There is a helpful wi-fi cell charger constructed into the aspect desk, and every seat comes with USB-A and USB-C sockets. Enterprise class passengers get one-hour free Wi-Fi, which is of first rate high quality – the service received the APEX 2022 Passenger Selection Award for the very best Wi-Fi in Europe.

Then there’s the storage. Just a little hidden cubby over my shoulder holds the in-flight leisure system’s distant management. Extra cupboard space – sufficiently big for a medium-sized bag – lies beneath the footwell and there is one other properly by the home windows for any stray fine details you need to stow away.

Whereas they are not the chattiest – maybe as a result of it is an in a single day flight – the cabin crew are courteous and attentive, providing drinks and snacks to those that are burning the midnight oil.

DINNER IS SERVED

As we zip over northern Europe, an attendant comes by to serve me a glass of crisp 2018 Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc (£14) from Chile – her suggestion – and slightly dish of smoked almonds.

The trendy enterprise class galley. ‘The cabin crew are courteous and attentive,’ says Ailbhe 

A flight attendant recommends that Ailbhe attempt the 2018 Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc from Chile (left), which is served with smoked almonds. Ailbhe’s starters are a shredded hen and herb tartlet and a corn and edamame puree, adopted by a creamy vegetable curry for the principle course (proper) 

‘One wealthy glass of 2018 Roquette e Cazes pink (£24) from Portugal’s Duoro area sends me to sleep,’ says Ailbhe. Within the morning, the crew comes by laden with trays of blueberry juice, a Finnair signature

Pictured left is a melt-in-the-mouth dessert – blueberry mousse with white chocolate and mint. Breakfast (proper) is a recreation pie and a scrumptious Swedish ‘Skagen’ salad of prawns combined with recent dill and radishes 

The crew lays down a white tablecloth when dinner is served

Subsequent, a miniature white tablecloth is laid on my counter with panache, and dinner is served.

Finnish design home Iittala has created the chinaware, which is nearly 20 per cent lighter than Finnair’s earlier dishes, lowering the aircraft’s general weight.

To begin, there is a shredded hen and herb tartlet and a flavoursome corn puree with edamame, fava beans and dill oil, which works finest when scooped up with bread. 

My primary, a creamy vegetable, cashew nut and coconut curry, is tasty, however dessert is my favorite – it is a melt-in-the-mouth blueberry mousse with white chocolate and mint.

After that, one wealthy glass of 2018 Roquette e Cazes pink (£24) from Portugal’s Duoro area sends me to sleep.

Quick ahead seven hours and the crew come by laden with trays of blueberry juice. Breakfast is a recreation pie and a scrumptious Swedish ‘Skagen’ salad of prawns combined with recent dill and radishes, adopted by sliced tropical fruits.

The solar is setting as we fly over the Singapore Strait, and I marvel over the ocean of cargo ships that fill the water – Singapore is a well-liked refuelling cease for vessels ferrying items from Northeast Asia to Europe.

After just a few days spent touring the foodie-heaven hawker centres, city parklands, and glitzy cocktail bars (together with the Best Bar in Asia) of Singapore, it is again to Changi Airport for my return flight.

Continuously named the Finest Airport within the World in airline awards, Changi Airport would not fail to ship. 

After checking in my bag, I nip into Jewel, the buying complicated by terminal one. It is dwelling to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the dramatically titled Rain Vortex, and there is even a ‘glamping’ floor of white tents festooned with fairy lights for many who fancy tenting within the airport.

As there is no Finnair lounge in Changi Airport, my ticket grants entry to the Qatar Airways lounge for a glass of Bollinger rosé earlier than I board the flight.

THE RETURN LEG

The return leg is simply as cosy because the outbound journey.

One slight glitch, nevertheless, is the vegetarian meal I order – my primary, a pasta dish with courgette, tomato and pumpkin, is a bit carb-heavy and unimaginative, and never one thing I would anticipate from enterprise class. And the edges – two fundamental inexperienced leaf salads, one with tofu – are once more missing in pizzazz. However the dessert, a stunning lemony tart with a caramelised strip of orange, is a saving grace, as is my glass of 2020 Pillitteri Gewurztraminer Riesling (£14) from Canada.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is dwelling to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the dramatically titled Rain Vortex (above) 

Ailbhe’s vegetarian dinner (left) – a pasta dish with courgette, tomato and pumpkin, paired with two salads. Pictured proper is a ‘beautiful’ lemony tart with a caramelised strip of orange for dessert

The Finnair signature cocktail (left), Northern Blush, is a mix of Finnish lingonberries, gin and orange peel. Breakfast on the return leg (proper) is a hearty bowl of scrambled tofu with spinach and potato, together with a couscous salad with tempeh (fermented soybeans)

For a nightcap, I order the Finnair signature cocktail – Northern Blush, a just-sweet-enough sunset-coloured medley of Finnish lingonberries, gin and orange peel.

Breakfast seems as we fly over Budapest – a hearty bowl of scrambled tofu with spinach and potato, a couscous salad with tempeh (fermented soybeans) and extra tropical fruit.

Snow may be seen dusting the bottom in Helsinki because the aircraft approaches. 

Pictured is the Finnair Enterprise Lounge in Helsinki Airport’s non-Schengen space, the place Ailbhe awaits her return flight to London 

‘The lounge [in Helsinki] echoes the sleek design aesthetic of the business-class cabin,’ says Ailbhe 

As soon as we have landed, I sidle off to the Finnair Enterprise Lounge to await my flight again to London. 

The lounge echoes the sleek design aesthetic of the business-class cabin – icicle-inspired lighting hold from the ceiling and round pod chairs dot the ground, with pops of royal blue all through.

Nursing one final blueberry juice, I take into consideration how Finnair’s new enterprise class seat has acquired to be one in every of Finland’s finest exports. 

Snug, versatile and dripping in streamlined model, it is sure to alter how we fly enterprise – I would not be stunned if different airways observe swimsuit.