Review: Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class (DFW-HEL)

DFW-HEL

AY 20

Depart: 4:55PM

Arrive: 10:45AM+1

Duration: 9 hours 50 minutes

Seat: 5L

My Summer Europe trip of 2025 starts out in the Baltics region, and Finnair is the most-suited airline to get to that region from the US. So, I was excited on trying out a new airline and a new business class concept (seat) for the first time, and that is Finnair, which hosts the only business class seat that do not recline on their long-haul fleet like the Airbus A330-300 and A350-900.

Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class- Booking

I booked a SFO-VNO itinerary with 57,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles. It includes the repositioning flight from SFO-DFW in Main Extra cabin (Premium Economy) and the connecting flight to VNO from HEL in an ATR 72.

Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class- Check-in & Boarding

I flew from SFO to DFW at 6am and had around 5 hour layover before my flight to Helsinki started. In the meantime, I waited inside the Capital One Lounge near Gate D22 which Finnair Business Class passengers get access to. I visited this lounge last year when I still had the Capital One Venture X Card.

After enjoying some free food and drinks, I head to Gate D6 that was just a short walk, and I had my boarding pass printed there.

Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class- Seats

I got to Seat 5L, and Finnair’s Business Class in the Airbus A350-900 has 1-2-1 seat configuration. What’s unique about Finnair’s Business Class seat is that they do not recline, and they follow the Scandinavian design philosophy. Simple and functional.

The lack of armrest on one side helps make the seats feel wider compared to the more traditional seat. I experienced some nasty turbulence during this flight and it was a bit terrifying not being able to grip on an armrest which always helped me with the sensation. So, it was a personal negative aspect of this design that I disliked.

The backside feels very hard and sturdy compared to the ones in traditional business class seat which some may or may not like.

Despite not having a door, the wide shell body of the seats are good enough of a cocoon to make for a private experience.

Across the seat is the IFE screen that’s static and can’t adjust the position.

To the right of the screen and underneath the window is the side storage area that includes a water bottle inside and easily fit my fanny pack in with more storage left. But, my seat had issue closing down and the flight attendant had to put more force than usual to close it down when I asked for assistance.

On the inner side of the seat has a headset compartment with the IFE remote and USB-A & USB-C charging ports. And a reading light on top.

Universal socket is located beneath the right of the seat.

Each seats come with the side table with smooth wooden finish and wireless charging. The amenity kit weren’t anything special with just a toothbrush, toothpaste, sleeping mask, and ear plug.

To get the seat to lie-flat mode, you can pull a lever underneath to rotate the flaps that will then create blocks connecting the seat and the footwell.

Though it was odd that during the flight, the mattress pad weren’t provided.

Overall, a very fascinating seat with the no-recline concept!

Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class- Meal Service

Dinner was served shortly after takeoff. I ordered roast beef with palenta with the appetizers chicken mousse and yellow beet salad served all at once. They all tasted great, and it was my first time having chicken mousse which felt like liver to me.

After that, I got the spiced pumpkin cake with hot tea and a Fazer Blue (in candy form), a Finnish branded milk chocolate.

Around hours before landing, breakfast was served. The only option was a frittata with chorizo complimented with fruits, cold cuts, and bread and jam. All great.

Below are the menu listed for the flight I was on:

Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class- Entertainment

For entertainment, you can find some of the latest films and some games and music.

Wi-Fi is also available for purchase. For the full flight duration, the price is 24.95 EUR. It’s a reasonable price.

Finnair Airbus A350-900 Business Class- Lavatory

Lavatory is pretty standard and comes with a window on top of the toilet.

The hand soap and lotion have lavender & orange scent and they are made by SEES, a Finnish fragrance company.

Conclusion

Finnair’s Business Class in the Airbus A350-900 is a very unique product being the only business class seat that does not recline. It’s definitely a cool thing!

While I enjoyed trying it out, the design can introduce some discomfort that can apply to some people, including the lack of armrest or the rock-hard backside of the seat.

The upside are faster switch from/to lie-flat mode and wider-than-usual seats. The food and service were overall good as well, except when they didn’t provide us with a mattress pad. Nonetheless, Finnair provided a very solid first-time experience.