Intro
I recently upgraded to Finnair’s premium economy for about $200 on a Bangkok to Helsinki to Paris routing, expecting the food experience to justify the extra cost.
Unfortunately, while the seats delivered comfort, the dining fell short of premium expectations in several disappointing ways.
Bangkok to Helsinki
The 7:15 AM departure meant starting with breakfast service, and this is where things began to go wrong.
Despite paying for premium economy, we received the same meal as economy passengers: no choice, no enhanced presentation, just products for both cabins.
The breakfast itself was unremarkable airline fare. Scrambled eggs arrived overcooked with rubbery texture.
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What surprised me was the service approach. Unlike other airlines that dedicate crew to premium cabins, Finnair’s economy crew served premium economy first before moving down the aircraft.
The 7.5 Hour Gap
Here’s where Finnair’s meal timing becomes genuinely problematic. 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.
These included nuts, crackers, and various packaged items that helped bridge the meal gap, though it required initiative rather than proactive service.
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, with vegetables.
The duck salad was genuinely enjoyable. Its tender meat and crisp greens were tossed in a well-balanced dressing.
However, dessert disappointed me again.
A prepackaged cookie replaced what could have been an opportunity to showcase Nordic cuisine with something more creative and representative of Finnish culinary traditions.
For a premium cabin, factory made cookies felt a tap 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 seat comfort and quality touches, the blanket and pillow were excellent, and I admit the pillow was exceptionally comfortable despite usually avoiding airline pillows entirely.
These basics were correctly done.
The amenity kit was a pleasant surprise, featuring natural and organic skincare products from LBruket, a Swedish company.
These high quality products demonstrated Finnair’s commitment to enhancing the 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, with a thick, doughy base and uninspiring toppings.
The chicken salad performed better, with fresh ingredients and a balanced flavour.
For context, Finnair changed its economy service in April 2023, eliminating pillows and reducing alcoholic beverages to one complimentary drink per flight.
These cuts affect the overall value proposition across their network.
Conclusion
Finnair’s premium economy succeeds in terms of comfort and amenities but falls short on food.
The identical economy meals, excessive service gaps, and missed opportunities for a Nordic culinary showcase create disappointment rather than satisfaction.
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 rather than a carefully considered part of the premium package.
I’d recommend packing 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.
