Intro
Paying extra for premium economy usually gets you better food, but Finnair serves identical breakfast to economy passengers.
Either they don’t understand what ‘premium’ means, or they’re hoping you won’t notice the difference.
Bangkok to Helsinki
The 7:15 AM departure meant starting with breakfast service, and this is where things went wrong.
Despite paying for premium economy, we received the same meal as economy passengers – no choice, no enhanced presentation, just identical products for both cabins.
The breakfast was unremarkable airline fare.
Scrambled eggs arrived overcooked with a rubbery texture.
The 7.5 Hour Gap
Here’s where Finnair’s meal timing is a real problem.
After that initial breakfast, no substantial food appeared for seven and a half hours.
To Finnair’s credit, snacks were available throughout the flight.
The crew regularly offered drinks and small bites, plus premium economy passengers could visit the rear galley for additional options – nuts, crackers, and various packaged items that helped bridge the meal gap.
The digital menu system worked well, clearly showing what was complimentary versus paid.
Premium economy included complimentary spirits like vodka, whiskey, gin, and cognac, which economy passengers had to purchase.
The drink selection partially justified the upgrade cost.
Second Meal Service
When the second meal finally arrived, quality improved noticeably.
Two main course options were offered, and I selected prawns with rice and vegetables.
The prawns were cooked well, with a good texture, and served alongside jasmine rice.
The duck salad was genuinely enjoyable – tender meat and crisp greens tossed in a well-balanced dressing.
However, the dessert disappointed again.
A prepackaged cookie replaced what could have been an opportunity to showcase Nordic cuisine with something more creative.
For a premium cabin, these cookies felt cheap.
The service did improve for this meal, with proper metal cutlery replacing plastic implements. Small details like this make premium dining feel more legitimate.
Amenities
The premium economy upgrade delivered on seat comfort and quality touches.
The blanket and pillow were excellent – I admit that the pillow was exceptionally comfortable, despite usually avoiding airline pillows.
The amenity kit was a pleasant surprise, featuring natural and organic skincare products from L:A Bruket, a Swedish company.
These high-quality products showed Finnair cares about passenger experience in ways that matter.
Unfortunately, the food didn’t match this standard of thoughtfulness.
Helsinki to Paris
Finnair doesn’t provide complimentary catering on European routes, though blueberry juice and water remain free.
I pre-ordered two meals for โฌ18: chicken noodle salad and Margherita pizza.
The pizza was mediocre – thick, doughy base and boring toppings. The chicken salad was better, with fresh ingredients and decent flavour.
Conclusion
Finnair’s premium economy offers great comfort and amenities but fails on food.
Getting the same economy meals, dealing with huge service gaps, and missing any Nordic food showcase is disappointing.
If you’re considering the upgrade primarily for dining enhancement, your money might be better spent elsewhere. The comfortable seats justify some premium, but the food experience feels like an afterthought.
Pack substantial snacks for future flights to bridge those lengthy meal gaps, regardless of cabin class. Finnair prioritises cost-cutting over culinary experience, even in premium cabins.
