INDIVUE – travel & art

(Updated 12/2023)

For many people, travelling by air can be stressful and exhausting. Between rushing to catch your flight and the long hours in the air, it’s no surprise that many travellers crave a moment of peace and relaxation before their journey begins. Luckily, Finnair Business Lounge in Helsinki-Vantaa airport has got you covered. Designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and luxurious space for passengers, this lounge is the ultimate airport experience.

It is designed to provide its passengers with a comfortable place to relax and enjoy their time before the flight. You will find Finnair Business Lounge at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finland, offering a range of premium services to its customers. This lounge is aimed at providing a relaxing environment where travellers can unwind peacefully before or in-between their flights.

Travelers to the Non-Schengen area or the Schengen area have their own lounges at the Finavia airport. During my recent trip to India, I had the opportunity to test out the Business Lounge of the Non-Schengen area, and it was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.

See below my short video from the Finnair’s Business Lounge –

As soon as you enter the Finnair Business Lounge, you’re transported to a world of calm and tranquillity. The lounge boasts a stylish and modern design, with comfortable seating and an inviting atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, you’ll find that the lounge is the perfect place to relax before your flight.

What is the food like in Finnair Business Lounge?

One of the first things that caught my attention was the food. The Finnair Business Lounge offers a range of delicious meals, drinks and desserts to its customers. As a vegetarian, I was delighted to find that the vegetarian option was not only filling but also incredibly tasty. For those who prefer meat, the chicken dish was also there. Additionally, the lounge offers raw cakes and gluten-free bread upon request, which is a testament to their excellent customer service. Watch my YouTube shorts video about the food they served in their buffet table.

What is the prize of the Finnair Business Lounge?

After indulging in a delicious meal, I decided to take advantage of the lounge’s other amenities. Finnair’s Business Lounge offers shower facilities for those who need to freshen up before their flight. Unfortunately, I did not test out this feature, but the locked doors provided privacy and security to those who did. The lounge also has a drink bar, where non-alcoholic drinks can be made to order, and the inviting lighting there makes it for a cozy atmosphere.

While the lounge provides a peaceful environment for undisturbed work or relaxation, I did miss the hustle and bustle of the airport. The lounge I visited had no windows or natural light, which made it difficult to gauge the time of day. However, the lounge’s inviting atmosphere more than made up for it. The lounge provides charging stations for electronics, so passengers can stay connected to their devices while they wait for their flight. Additionally, free Wi-Fi is available for those who need it.

The price of the entire Business Lounge experience was approximately 55 euros. Although this may seem like a steep price, the lounge’s amenities and services make it worth the investment. The lounge offers a comfortable and peaceful environment for passengers to unwind and relax before their flight, and in addition to the shower facility, the delicious food and drink options are a nice bonus.

Update with Finnair Business lounge food recipes

What I really liked in the Finnair Business Lounge food selection was the oat raspberry pistachio bars in the desserts, so I looked out a recipe for them, because it would not be economically wise to book a trip and Finnair lounge every time you feel like eating those bars.

Ingredients and Method: The recipe is straightforward, requiring rolled oats, shelled and chopped pistachios, honey or maple syrup, coconut oil, dried raspberries, almond flour, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The process involves mixing the dry ingredients, combining them with the wet ingredients, gently folding in the raspberries, and then pressing the mixture into a pan to bake. The result is a batch of golden-brown, deliciously chewy, and crunchy bars, perfect for any snack or travel occasion.

Oat Raspberry Pistachio Bars Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups rolled oats
2. 1 cup pistachios, shelled and chopped
3. 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
4. 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
5. 1 cup dried raspberries
6. 1/2 cup almond flour
7. 1 tsp vanilla extract
8. Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped pistachios, almond flour, and a pinch of salt.
3. Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Add Raspberries: Gently fold in the raspberries.
6. Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly into an even layer.
7. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
8. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into bars or squares.
9. Serve and Enjoy: These bars can be enjoyed immediately or stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Tips:

• For a vegan version, make sure to use maple syrup instead of honey.
• You can also add other nuts or seeds for added texture and nutrition.
• If you prefer, you can use also other dried fruits.

These oat raspberry pistachio bars are not totally same as the ones in the lounge, because in the lounge the bars contained milk. But this version is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making them a perfect snack for your travels or a healthy treat for any day.

Nutritional Benefits These oat raspberry pistachio bars are a powerhouse of nutrition. Oats are a great source of fiber, pistachios add healthy fats and protein, and raspberries provide antioxidants and vitamins. These bars are not only a healthier alternative to the usual airport snacks but also a great energy booster for any travel journey.

Tarragon Carrots Recipe

Another healthy kind of option in the buffet menu was tarragon carrots. Tarragon Carrots, is a simple yet flavorful dish that beautifully combines the sweet earthiness of carrots with the unique, slightly anise-like flavor of tarragon. It’s a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of meats, especially poultry, and adds a touch of elegance to any meal. Here’s one kind of recipe to try at home:

Ingredients:

1. Carrots, 500g, peeled and sliced
2. Fresh tarragon, 3 tablespoons, chopped
3. Butter, 2 tablespoons
4. Honey, 1 tablespoon
5. Salt, to taste
6. Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
7. Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon
8. Garlic, 1 clove, minced (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Carrots: Peel and slice the carrots into even pieces. You can slice them into rounds or diagonally for a more elegant presentation.
2. Cook the Carrots: In a large pan, bring salted water to a boil. Add the carrots and cook for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender but still have a bit of a bite. Drain the carrots and set aside.
3. Sauté with Tarragon: In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic (if using) and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the boiled carrots, honey, and half of the chopped tarragon. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, gently tossing to coat the carrots in the tarragon and honey mixture.
4. Season: Sprinkle with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with the remaining tarragon. Serve warm as a delightful side dish to complement a variety of main courses.

Tips:

• For a vegan version, you can substitute the butter with olive oil or any plant-based butter. Honey you can replace with maple syrup. Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and depth of flavor, making it an excellent plant-based alternative. It complements the earthy sweetness of the carrots and the aromatic tarragon nicely. Use the same amount of maple syrup as you would honey in the recipe for a delightful vegan-friendly dish.
• Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon can add an interesting twist to the flavor.
• If you don’t have fresh tarragon, dried tarragon can be used, but reduce the amount to 1 tablespoon as dried herbs are more potent.

Interestingly enough, next time I travel to a Non-Schengen area, I might not choose the Business Lounge. Because even though the space was peaceful and offered a great opportunity for almost undisturbed working, I still missed the Finavia airport’s large windows, bright spaces and those departing and arriving planes on the runway. And maybe a little bit of the hustle and bustle of the airport and all those travelers from around the world as well. In the Business Lounge where I was, there were no windows to outside, or at least the curtains weren’t open, so the smartphone was the only option for time pass.

Luckily, on the smartphone you can read and watch e.g. my visual guide Trip to India!

How to travel from Helsinki center to the airport

Helsinki-Vantaa airport is within easy reach by train from Helsinki centre. Sure buses also take you there for example from Helsinki centre and Itäkeskus. Here you can watch my short video about traveling with public transport from Helsinki centre to the airport –

The long escalators from the train station take you directly up to the stylish Finavia airport in Helsinki-Vantaa.

You can read this post also in Finnish

Useful links:

• Trip to India – Visual travel guide
• Trip to Europe – Visual travel guide
• Trip to Finland – Visual travel guide

This post belongs to my
→ Trip to Helsinki – Visual Travel Guide.

Explore all my Helsinki travel videos
→ here.

If you want to dive deeper into Helsinki, see my guide to
→ cafés.