5 must-see spots of our home hub Helsinki Airport

Helsinki Airport has developed and changed considerably in recent years. As a customer, you can't help but notice the airport's inspiring charm, which exudes Finnish design. Not to mention the modern services. Our modern Nordic airport was chosen as the best airport in Europe in its size category in 2023.

Every year, millions of travellers pass through Helsinki Airport. One of the Finnair professionals who help customers at the airport is our gate service agent Anu Pitkänen. Anu enjoys working at the airport, and no wonder.

"I love airports and I'm sure I'm one of the biggest fans of Helsinki Airport. Our airport is an internationally award-winning magnificent building. One of the most wonderful things about it is its functionality: Everything can be found in one terminal, under the same roof,” Anu hypes up.

Anu started working at Finnair in 2018 and has now worked as a gate service agent in customer service for six years. In addition, Anu has also instructed new employees. Diverse work tasks often take Anu around the airport.

"As a gate service agent, I work at all Finnair customer service points at the airport. These include both the departure hall and arrival hall, guiding connecting customers at transfer points, and guiding them at the gates when aircraft depart and arrive."

"Every shift is different; you always look forward to what the day will bring. I walk about 10,000 steps every day. For example, during my last shift I first went to work at gate 49 and then moved to work at gate 11," Anu passionately describes her profession.

Below you can read Anu's specific tips for visiting Helsinki Airport: What is there worth admiring alongside your next leisure or business trip.

1. Sunny terraces to spot the airplanes

Inside the airport

If you want to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air or perhaps do plane spotting Anu advises where to go.

"It's great that you can also get out and enjoy some sun at the airport. At the same time, you can even quiet down a bit in the middle of all the fuzz,” Anu says.

You can find a great vantage point with a view to the apron and the runway at the terrace of the Espresso House, near gate 29. The terrace is located outside. Open around the clock, THE Toastery Café & Bar located near gate 21, has also opened an extensive outdoor terrace in June 2024.

Outside the airport

For plane spotters: Helsinki Airport’s scenic terrace is open to everyone visiting the airport. This scenic terrace has great views of Runway 1 and 2, and the apron area (the parking area for airplanes). The terrace is located approximately 150 metres away from the terminal.

"The most wonderful plane spotters I've encountered at the airport have been the visiting daycare groups. Oh, how cute it is when little ones in their tiny vests admire the airplanes from the viewing terrace. Child passengers are my favourite passengers anyway," Anu says.

Opposite the airport terminal is the brand-new Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport. Its restaurant, located on the top 12th floor of the hotel, has a terrace with an unobstructed view of the runway.

2. New Comfort Zone: The new Finnair Lounge is now open!

The new Finnair Lounge on the Schengen side at Helsinki Airport opened its doors on 9 July 2024. Designed with busy commuters in mind, our spacious lounge offers dedicated areas for both work and relaxation, making it a perfect pre-flight destination.

"Our new lounge exudes Finnishness and tranquility. There are tens of thousands of passengers at the airport every day, so sometimes you just need a place to relax before the flight. The new lounge offers a peaceful atmosphere, you can work and enjoy tasty food there, and, for example, read the daily newspapers. You can also look out over the runway from there. Anyone can buy lounge access before the trip or at the airport," Anu hints.

You can find our new Finnair lounge, which emphasises a celebration of Finnish and Nordic design, near gate 21. Read more about the lounge.

3. Time to relax before the flight – find your favourite spot

If you want to relax before the flight, Anu sure knows where you should go: "There are often a lot of people at the airport, and it feels natural to me, because of course in this job I love people. However, there is also room for relaxation, you just have to know what you are looking for."

Aukio central plaza serves as an oasis where travellers can wind down and experience Finnish nature. The unique curved 360° LED screen, soundscape and interactive wall projections take visitors on a journey through Finland’s nature. You cannot miss this when passing near gate 40.

"Aukio is really impressive and popular, there are always travellers there relaxing. For those who only transfer flights in Helsinki, it is a great opportunity to still get a feel for Finland and our fabulous four seasons. There are also events there, for example yoga on International Yoga Day in June,” Anu says.

From non-Schengen area you can also find The Maja Living Room and Quiet room, close to gate 52. Maja Living Room is a space where you can relax, stretch and calm down before your flight. The Quiet room is a peaceful space where you can meditate or pray. The Quiet room is open to all, regardless of religion or worldview.

Time for some reading? Free books!

From Schengen-side near the seating area of gate 12, you can find a unique Book Swap point. You can pick up books from the Book Swap point free of charge. Of course, you can also leave your old book there for others to enjoy.

4. Finnish design shops and secondhand shopping

Helsinki airport is proud to have the world’s first second-hand concept store at an airport. Relove combines high-quality second-hand clothing and accessories with a café. It is situated by the gate area 21-22.

"In my knowledge the second-hand store has been very popular. After all, it is very beautiful, and you can find high-quality products and luxury brands. The shopping and dining options at our airport are so good that I always arrive at the airport at least two hours before the flight departs ,” Anu describes.

You can also find famous Finnish Desing brand stores like Marimekko, Iittala, Moomin Shop and Lumene from the airport. "Travellers often ask for Finnish products, as they are interested in everything related to Finland," Anu sums up.

Dining options at the airport are numerous. Did you know that the food court in the departure gate area after the security control has won the Airport Food Hall of the Year 2024 award in an international tourism and restaurant industry competition (FAB Awards 2024). The award-winning food court has five restaurants: Asian Kitchen, Bastard Burgers, Fafa’s, Pala Pizza Bar and Tori Kitchen & Cafe.

5. Finnish specialities: Sauna and Christmas

There is of course sauna in the Helsinki Airport terminal. Finnair Plus Platinum, Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo and oneworld Emerald members can enjoy the heat of the sauna at our stunning Finnair's Platinum Wing on the non-Schengen side of the airport.

However, you can take a sneak peak to the Finnish sauna culture also in the Christmas cabin near gate 40.

In the Christmas Cabin, passengers can immerse themselves in the authentic Finnish Christmas spirit. It exudes Finnish Christmas atmosphere, Christmas stories, handicrafts, and beautiful textiles.

"Just before Christmas, we have many families with children on their way to Lapland. They are certainly interested in spots like the Christmas Cabin and shops such as Finspiration selling souvenirs and Christmas-themed interior decoration products. It's also special that at the airport Christmas is visible to us all year round."

Finally, Anu encourages passers-by to feel free to ask for help from Finnair's customer service representatives.

"Even though there is really good signage and we have a good information desk, we Finnair customer service representatives are always there for you at the airport. Don't be afraid to ask for help, whatever the topic is. We want to make everyone's travel as comfortable as possible. Welcome to our airport, our Finnair home!"

+ A few more practical tips:

• Finnish tap water is safe to drink, and you can find water taps and dispensers around the airport. You can fill your water bottle with cold or hot drinking water.
• Helsinki Airport offers special areas for pets to “use the bathroom”, pet relief areas. An outdoor one is right outside the Arrivals Hall, and two pet relief areas are indoors: one at gate 51 and the newest one at gate 21.
• Let children climb and have fun in free entry play areas that you can find around gates 16 and 20. Of course, there are also many baby changing rooms around the airport.