Elevated long-haul experience: 5 tips for great sleep in the AirLounge

Extreme comfort, full flexibility, top-class service – our Business Class is the embodiment of Finnair.  When boarding the plane, many customers often peek curiously into Business Class: What a calm and restful atmosphere and the possibility to lie down while sleeping, luxury! 

Now it really is worth looking and booking at Business Class, as you can now experience the new Business Class on all our long-haul flights. Enjoy furniture-like comfort with our entirely new Collins’ AirLounge seat that amplifies your personal space and freedom to move with its innovative contoured shell design. The seat offers you the best-in-class sleep comfort by turning into a spacious lay-flat bed with a proper mattress pad and exclusive Marimekko design textiles. 

Finnair cabin crew members have been able to follow the comfort offered by the AirLounge seat up close and would like to share with you the best tips for a good night's sleep in the air.

Feel free to find the position you like the best 

The innovative design of the AirLounge seat ensures privacy and peace, so you sleep as if you were "in your own nest". The seat can be conveniently transformed into a spacious bed, where you can comfortably lie down and get a good night's sleep. The seat offers more opportunities than before to find your preferred position both sitting and sleeping. 

Finnair cabin crew members  Nina, Heini, Mikael, Vive, Salla, Anne and Sirkku encourage you to experiment with different positions and find your preferred way to travel: 

"Dare to slide far enough (feet first) and you will find a more comfortable position!" Nina hints. 

"The AirLounge should be treated like a sofa bed. Sit comfortably in the nest as if on the couch at home watching TV. The seat also easily converts into a bed and the cabin crew are happy to help,” Mikael describes.

"It's a good idea to move everything unnecessary from the footwell to the floor during sleep. Bags and other items on top of the side compartment can also take up space for your feet when lying down,” Salla hints. 

"The best way to make the bed is standing up and at the same time you can do even small evening stretches next to the bench,” Salla continues. 

"I was surprised how incredibly comfortable it is to be able to sit relaxed cross-legged, just like in the corner of a couch at home,” says Heini.

Remember the mattress and choose the pillow that suits you 

In the AirLounge seat, there is soft top mattress and cushions to support your body and make you comfortable in every sleeping position. Pillows and duvets feature Maija Isola’s Kalasääski print. If necessary, you can request additional cushions from the cabin crew. 

"Especially the first time, customers often have questions about a new seat, which is understandable, after all, it is the first in the world! The seat also includes a top mattress, which many forget to use. Of course, the seat is comfortable even without a top mattress,” Heini describes. 

Marimekko bedding is a touch of luxury, and it is worth taking advantage of the different pillows available for different sleepers. You will find the mattress and blanket ready at the foot of your seat, and pillows on the seat. One of the pillows is designed specifically to support the lower back for a traditional working position. 

"The duvet is striped with a Marimekko pattern, and the top mattress is beige. This is a tip, as I've seen the mattress also used as a blanket”, Heini and Anne point out.

Side sleeper: Choose your side when choosing a seat! 

AirLounge seats can be found on the left and right sides of the planes and, of course, in the middle between the aisles. If possible, the side sleeper should take the location into account when choosing a seat. 

"A side sleeper should pay attention to the location of the seat if they are comfortable sleeping especially on either side. Customers who prefer to sleep on their right side should choose seats D and L, and customers who prefer the left side, seats A and H. This way, the back is facing the aisle, and the face is comfortably hidden from passers-by", Salla hints. 

You can see the seat map on our “Fleet”-page. Please note, however, that aircraft types may change, and last-minute changes are always possible. Answers to common questions about seating options can be found here. 

Enjoy the exclusive Finnair amenity kit

When flying in our Business Class on long-haul flights, you can enjoy our Finnair amenity kit, which is designed exclusively for Finnair by the Finnish design house Marimekko. The amenity kit is designed to withstand use and you can reuse it also after your trip. 

We updated the Business Class amenity kit in September 2023. Now the Marimekko designer pouch includes: Marimekko eye mask, earplugs and humble Co. dental kit with a toothbrush made of bamboo and toothpaste. You can also request socks, comp, and shaving kit from our lovely cabin crew. While writing the story the prints in the amenity kits are beautiful Joonas (green/blue) and Pieni Melooni (grey/blue) by Marimekko. 

"In terms of sleep, the key to calming down can be found in the amenity kit. Even though the cabin is quiet by default, sleep masks and earplugs may be used. At least when I travel, they are standard equipment, but you don't always have to take care of everything yourself. In addition, you can ask the cabin crew for socks to bring extra warmth to your toes,” Heini describes. 

Enjoy even more privacy: Do Not Disturb -function 

If you have already enjoyed the service and need some peace and quiet, the "do not disturb" function on the seat is for you. When pushed it displays a red light in the aisle as a signal to cabin crew. 

"Between the meal services we often go around the cabin serving drinks or sweet and savoury snacks. Even in the dark cabin, we can see from the red light on the side panel of the seat if the customer wants to be left alone, for example, while sleeping or concentrating on work. This feature, which increases travel comfort and privacy, is sometimes overlooked by travellers,” Heini and Vive tell. 

"It is also recommended to turn off your own lights and put the window cover down while sleeping. When flying through different time zones, sunlight may surprise you at a confusing time in the middle of sleep. Of course, we cabin crew members also consider this, and we try to close all window covers overnight on night flights,” Sirkku and Heini add. 

An instructional video on how to use the AirLounge seat is shown on the upgraded entertainment system , but you will of course get the best practical guidance and tips from our professional cabin crew on board. 

See our current Business Class offers here. If you didn't buy a Business Class ticket when you booked your flight, don't worry. You can upgrade your trip to Business Class and enjoy Business Class benefits on board. 

Read more about the features and design of the AirLounge seat here.