BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR
Finnair has topped the table with a double win at this year’s DesignAir Awards.
The airline’s spacious new AirLounge seat, designed with Collins Aerospace, has been named the ‘Best New Business Class’ for 2022.
Finnair also took home the Design Innovation Award 2022, for its stylish new long-haul Business Class, in recognition of its innovative and comfortable design.
The Nordic carrier was praised for raising the international standard of design in aviation during 2022, with its industry-leading new Business Class concept.
Celebrating the very best in airline passenger experience, as well as brand and design across the globe, the DesignAir awards are now in their 10th year and recognised among aviation industry leaders.
Tiina Tissari, Finnair Vice President Customer Experience and Products, said: “We are extremely honoured to have been awarded the ‘Best New Business Class’ in 2022, alongside the highly prestigious Design Innovation Award.
“It is wonderful to see such positive feedback from the industry following many years of dedication, attention to detail and significant investment is undertaken to turn our ideas into reality.
“Our innovative AirLounge seat is already proving a huge hit with customers, and we look forward to completing its rollout in 2023, so, even more, can enjoy Finnair’s elevated long-haul experience.”
The DesignAir awards classify a ‘Design Airline’ as one which celebrates design as part of the passenger experience, ensuring it is contemporary, relevant, and an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
The DesignAir double win achievement caps a year of success for the airline’s new products, following its huge €200 investment in a new long-haul cabin experience for customers, which included launching Finnair’s brand-new Business Class, new Premium Class cabin and a refreshed Economy Class.
Launched in February of this year, the new cabins offer a brand-new Business Class featuring an eye-catching non-reclining seat with a spacious fixed living space, as well as a plush new Premium Economy cabin and refreshed Economy Class.
The new long-haul interiors are being rolled out across the fleet and are currently being operated on select flights between London and Helsinki, all Finnair services to Doha, and on long-haul services from Finland to New York, Singapore, Tokyo, Phuket and Bangkok.
The latest accolade follows Finnair winning the APEX award for Best Cabin Innovation and being hailed as a Five Star airline in the 2022 global ranking.
The Finnish flag carrier also won gold in this year’s best ‘Cabin Concept’ category at the Onboard Hospitality Awards, while the International Yacht and Aviation Awards named Finnair as having the best Cabin (First & Business Class).
Finnair’s brand-new Inflight Entertainment system (IFE) was also awarded an international Red Dot Award 2022 in the Brand and Communication Design category, highlighting the commitment to improving the customer experience.
The airline’s new design ethos also appears in its newly reopened exclusive Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki Airport. It offers Nordic-inspired interiors with dedicated zones for working and relaxing, upgraded dining options and fine wines as well as features an exclusive sauna for premium travellers to unwind in.
Finnair flies up to four times a day from London Heathrow as well as flights from Edinburgh, Manchester and Dublin to Helsinki, enabling customers to enjoy quick and convenient connections, from as little as 35 minutes to onward destinations to the US and Asia.
The airline’s modern fleet, including newly refreshed long-haul A350s and A330s, provide customers with unparalleled levels of travel comfort with the carrier’s famed Nordic design and contemporary style.
