Finnair will introduce ‘Economy Comfort’ on long-haul flights - a simpler ‘Premium Economy’

Economy Comfort will be introduced in 2015, in conjunction with Finnair’s delivery of their first Airbus A350. Shanghai, Bangkok and Beijing will be the first destinations, but Economy Comfort will eventually be offered on all long-haul flights. Economy Comfort offers more legroom, four extra inches (about 10 cm), which means a total of 35 inches of legroom (89 cm), compared to the normal 31-32 inch. However, there is no difference in seat width and the configuration is 3-3-3, just as in regular economy class. In total there will be 43 seats at the front of the economy class cabin. Passengers travelling in Economy Comfort will, in addition to more leg room, also receive priority boarding at the gate and a faster exit after landing. The headrest has also been improved, the headphones are better than in regular economy, and all Economy Comfort passengers will receive toiletries to use during the flight (amenity kit). Economy Comfort is, as I said, not a completely separate cabin class, but acts as what is often called in the airline industry as ‘priority seating’. This means that at the time of reservation or check-in, one will be able to purchase an upgrade to Economy Comfort at a fixed price, much like on many flights these days where you can buy a seat next to the emergency exit, where there is always more legroom, for a predetermined fee. The cost of an upgrade to Economy Comfort varies slightly depending on the destination and flight length, but on most flights, the price will be between 45 and 65 euros (£35 - £60). The upgrade is offered for each individual flight, therefore, if you want to fly in Economy Comfort back and forth, the price will be between 90 and 130 euros. Economy Comfort will only be offered on long-haul flights, not European flights.

Finnair's new economy class on the Airbus A350

Finnair's new economy class on the Airbus A350

Finnair Economy Comfort