Finnair’s roomy new seat means business /

Business class travel takes a leap forward with Finnair’s new Business Class cabin and spacious new Collins Aerospace AirLounge™ seat. Finnair is the launch customer for this new and innovative seat concept that will be rolled out across Finnair’s entire long-haul fleet of A330s and A350s.

The AirLounge is not a traditional airplane seat, but is inspired by lounge furniture. The seat is designed to maximize your comfort, space and freedom of movement during a long-haul flight. The clean lines and dark, reassuring color scheme follow Finnair’s Scandinavian design style that is also evident in Finnair’s lounges in the non-Schengen area at Helsinki Airport.

David Kondo from Finnair’s Customer Experience team, who led the design work for the new Finnair long-haul experience, said: “We wanted to rethink business class and create more of a living environment, mimicking the comfort you would expect at home. By doing away with complicated seating mechanisms and using 3D curved shells, we can offer a greater flexible living space, allowing you to move more freely and take different positions that traditional aircraft seats do not allow.”

The chair concept was originally designed by PriestmanGoode from London. The seat was further developed by Collins Aerospace, with customization and final design execution by Finnair and its appointed design partner, Tangerine.

“Partnering with Finnair enabled the launch of this innovative seat and helped bring to life a truly unique cabin concept,” said Mark Vaughan, vice president and general manager of Interiors Seating for Collins Aerospace. “I truly believe that together we have set a new bar for passenger comfort and the travel experience.”

An exclusive space that you can make your own

The innovative fixed contour shell of the backless chair allows for a wide variety of sitting and sleeping positions: you can sit at different angles, rest your feet on the ottoman or use padding panels to create a large flat surface. A mattress and duvet turn the room into a comfortable bed and with the soft pillows you can relax in different sitting positions. The high cocoon-like shell of the seat ensures privacy, while the divider between the middle seats can be lowered if you are traveling with a companion.

The lighting options in the chair make it possible to customize the atmosphere of each customer’s own “nest”. Along with a custom lamp that doubles as a reading lamp, a do not disturb lamp is included if total privacy is desired. The lighting in the seats complements the new ambient lighting in the cabin, which has been designed in collaboration with Jetlite to combat the effects of jet lag. The design scheme is inspired by Scandinavian nature, complete with the northern lights as the cabin dims to sleep.

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The various storage options in the chair include areas for personal items, laptop and all pillows and blankets; all certified for taxiing, takeoff and landing, so customers can settle in right away and have their essentials to hand right from the start of the journey.

The flexible table can be used for reading, dining or working. Each seat comes with impressive connectivity, including USB-A, USB-C, PC power and wireless mobile charging. All Finnair long-haul aircraft are equipped with internet connectivity.

The Inflight Entertainment System comes with a new, more user-friendly, custom interface and a wider 18-inch screen, making time on board fly by.

Design collaborations, bar area and renewed meal concept in Scandinavian style

In keeping with its long design heritage, Finnair has collaborated with top Finnish design houses to complement the cabin atmosphere and premium travel experience through beautiful new textiles and tableware.

All meals are served on new porcelain from the Finnish design house Iittala. The Kuulas dining collection is designed by Harri Koskinen and inspired by the contemporary living environment. Each item in the collection has been carefully designed with aviation in mind, making the collection efficient and lightweight to support aircraft weight and carbon reduction goals.

Business Class passengers will enjoy an updated range of meals and beverages, including a six-course contemporary bistro-style meal and a lighter meal. Between meals, customers can enjoy the beautiful new refreshment area at the main entrance of the aircraft.

The Finnish fashion house Marimekko has designed unique pillows and a duvet for the Business Class, featuring the iconic designs of Maija Isola in soothing dark colours.