Finnair Business Class for 2 (Oct 2021 - Apr 2022)
As you might remember from my previous newsletter with Finnair business class award space, it's pretty rare to find availability for two people.
Throw in the fact that Finnair doesn't usually release business class award space to partners more than 60 days from departure and this is a particularly good opportunity to fly the A350. Plus, it's a fifth freedom route so that's fun!
Quick Note: Neither Asia Miles nor American would let me click through to the payment page. I was able to click through on Alaska, BA, JAL, and Qantas. However, I was able to call AA and put a ticket on hold. Yes, I sat on hold with an airline just to double-check because I'm that kind of obsessive.
Big thanks to my friend Jonas, co-founder of Chatflights for flagging this and setting me off on the hunt for all the dates!
If you're wondering what Finnair business class is like, check out this short review of my flight from mid-July.
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: MIA-ARN
Operating airline: Finnair
Class of service: Business class
Dates: October 2021 - April 2022
Seats available: 2
Cabin layout: 1-2-1 (reverse herringbone)
Book with (per person, one-way):
- *Alaska Mileage Plan: 70,000 miles
- *American AAdvantage: 57,500 miles
- British Airways Executive Club: 77,250 Avios
- Cathay Asia Miles: 61,000 miles
- Finnair Plus: 80,000 miles
- Iberia Plus: 77,250 Avios
- JAL Mileage Bank: 60,000 miles (85,000 round-trip)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 90,000 miles
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- One-way: $5.60
- Round-trip: ~$71.65
- Surcharges (from the US):
- One-way: ~$700
- Round-trip: ~$1,400
- Partner booking fees:
- Alaska Mileage Plan: $12.50 per direction
- Asia Miles, Qantas, JAL don't pass on the full surcharges
- One-way: ~$175
- Round-trip: ~$315-405
Bank transfer partners:
- Alaska: Marriott
- American: Citi, Marriott
- Asia Miles: Amex, Brex, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- British Airways: Amex, Chase, Marriott
- Iberia: Amex, Chase, Marriott
- JAL: Marriott
- Qantas: Amex, Brex, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
Don't forget to let me know if you book and how you did it!
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the COVID-19 situation and the resulting travel restrictions could prevent you from traveling. Additionally, please make sure you understand the cancellation/redeposit and change fees required before booking with a particular program.
Flight Experience
This route is operated by one of Finnair's Airbus A350 so you'll have their newest inflight product. The cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout so everyone will have direct aisle access in addition to a lie-flat seat.
On my flight earlier this month, I found the service to be friendly and attentive (but not intrusive). While I wouldn't say the food is the best you'll find in business class, it's more than good enough.
If anything, Finnair is known for its glassware - probably my favorite in the sky. So, enjoy a glass of champagne or one of the blueberry-based cocktails.
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Available Dates
Finnair isn't operating daily flights on this route, but there are a ton of dates with award space for two people. There is a gap from mid-December to mid-January but, otherwise, there's plenty of space.
MIA-ARN
October: 27, 30
November: 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 29
December: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
January: 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31
February: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12. 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23
March: 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
April: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 20, 22
ARN-MIA
October: 23, 27, 30
November: 3, 6, 10, 13, 20, 24, 27, 29
December: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
January: 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31
February: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16
March: 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30
April: 1, 2, 4, 6, 16, 18, 20, 23
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Best Ways To Book
If you have 57.5k American miles and want to use them on a trip to Europe, this might be your best option when you consider the inflight experience and the fact that you won't have to pay the surcharges - unlike on BA flights.
Don't forget: You can transfer ThankYou Points to American until Nov 13, 2021.
At 70k miles, Alaska Mileage Plan requires 12.5k more miles than American but you can include a stopover on one-way awards. This can be particularly useful if you want to see a couple of places in Europe.
Additionally, if you're based in Miami, you can make MIA your stopover on the return and include a flight on Alaska to the west coast for a future date. Not a bad way to start another trip for no extra cost.
If you have Amex, Citi, Capital One, or Brex points, I like 61k Asia Miles for this as they don't pass on all the surcharges. You're looking at about $172 one-way and $232 round-trip. Please note, that the rate will likely increase to 75k if you need a connecting flight to another destination in Europe.
For those who earn Amex points much faster than Citi points or AA miles, I'd probably go with this option for a non-stop to Stockholm.
Qantas has the same transfer partners as Asia Miles and will require 90k points for a one-way with a flight distance from 3,601 to 4,800.
You can use GCmap to calculate flight distance for Asia Miles and Qantas.
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How To Book
I think searching with American Airlines is easiest if you want to see your options. Of course, I just provided the dates so you don't really need to hunt for availability, do you? :)
However, here's how I'd approach the search process:
- Go to AA's site
- Select Advanced / Multi-city search (just click this link)
- Select Redeem miles
- Select One way or Round trip
- Enter From & To cities
- Select departure date(s)
- Choose the number of passengers
- Select Class as Business/First
- Click Search
- If you're searching for a nonstop, select Calendar then sort by nonstop.
- Once you know which dates have Finnair space, you can run a search from your home airport if you're not booking nonstop
If you're not booking with American miles, you can run a search with the program you're using once you find a date you want to book.
If you want to use Asia Miles and include a connection, you might need to call (866-892-2598) to complete the booking. You can call American at 800-433-7300.
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Bottom Line
Personally, I love a fifth freedom route. The fact that it's on an A350 and a rare opportunity to book Finnair beyond 60 days makes it even more fun.
Happy Booking!
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