I got to experience this innovative new seat between Helsinki and Singapore. Unlike traditional lie flat Business Class products, this seat does not recline. Rather, it is set up like a sofa. When you want to sleep, you move the legrest - which is the seats only mechanical part - up to form a contiguous flat surface, place your legs into a cubby hole, and slide the rest of your body down into a sleeping position. It was a bold move on their part. I did find the seat very comfortable.
When I look for flights for my visits to Singapore, in addition to searching for flights departing Honolulu, I often search for flights from Los Angeles because there are more connecting options between LAX and SIN, and the fares, even with a return added, can be cheaper. This time, on a whim, I selected Business Class in my search parameters, and an intriguing and inexpensive (for Business Class) option popped up - LAX to SIN via Helsinki. I would have long layovers in both directions, but I didnt mind as I would have an opportunity to explore a new city. As an added bonus, I would get to try Finnairs unconventional new Business Class seat between Helsinki and Singapore. Even though it was a relatively cheap fare for Business Class, it was still a sizeable chunk of change, and so I thought over it for a few days before I took a deep breath and made the purchase.
The first layover, on September 17, was scheduled for eight hours between 4pm and midnight. The second layover on October 2 was a daytime connection from 6am to 4pm. As I only had limited daylight on my first layover, I decided
I wondered if this was a sauna, or a funky store. It turned out to be a tourist information booth. On top of the booth is a public space where people can hang out on the sloping roof. I was impressed by the design thought put into something as mundane as a tourist information booth.
to utilize that layover to get the lay of the land first, and reserve a trip to Suomenlinna Fortress for my second layover.
On a side note, I have been wracking my brains to make up a joke about traveling between LAX, HEL, and SIN, but I havent gotten any inspiration. Im open to suggestions
Due to a flight delay, my scheduled eight hour layover was reduced to seven hours. Despite this setback, I decided to stick with my original plan to take the train into Helsinki, and get a sense of the city during the three hours of daylight I still had left.
I landed in Helsinki around 4.30pm. After going through immigration, I deposited my larger backpack at a left baggage counter, withdrew some cash from an ATM, and then took three escalators deep underground to get to the train station. The design of the train station was quite awe inspiring. The long escalators into the train station were especially cool as they feature high concrete walls on three sides.
I hopped onto the train to Helsinki and arrived around 5.30pm. After exiting the station, I turned east and
made my way to the seafront in the hope of getting to the Old Market Hall before they closed at 6pm. En route, I tried to get a feel for the environment I was in. Apart from a general sense of orderliness, I was surprised to hear a fair bit of English spoken around me. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that Helsinki was more multiracial than I expected for a European country that wasnt a colonial power.
To get to Old Market Hall, I first walked through a very cute park with several statues depicting various sea creatures spouting water. Alas, I arrived at the Old Market Hall just as they were shutting the front doors. I wandered around the seafront for bit, taking in the sights, and taking note of the location of the ferry to Suomenlinna. I was also impressed by the modern design elements around. A great example was a tourist information booth which was constructed from asymmetrical wood strips. From there, I headed towards the Allas Sea Pool.
