Planet-Love.com Searchable Archives

Since we briefly inquired about & discussed LOT Polish Airlines a few posts below, I thought I would take this opportunity to inquire about Finnair Airlines. I'm traveling from JFK to St. Petersburg in late April via Finnair, and my connection time in Helsinki is just under an hour. Can anyone attest to the on-time reliability of Finnair from New York to Helsinki? Is the airport in Helsinki about the same size as in Warsaw? As someone who doesn't speak a word of Finnish (but my Russian is improving), will I have difficulty making my connections in Helsinki? I realize that English is spoken in International airports, as some kind of regulation ( per "LP"). I've heard good things about Finnair, and didn't hesitate to book with them, and I allowed myself much more time making my domestic connections in the U.S.  However, my connection in Helsinki is beyond my control. Do I need to start thinking about making train reservations from Helsinki to St. Petersburg? (lol)

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

I have flown your route twice on Finnair.  They are the greatest.  Flight attendants very efficient and they furnish enough food that you might gain weight.  The terminal is spotless and brightly lit.  However, the food and everything else once you are in Finland is extremely expensive.  I had a light snack at airport.  It cost somewhere over $9 for something that would cost about $3-4 in US.  The flight to St. Pete takes about one hour.  The counter ladies at the airport are some of the most beautiful women in the world.  I doubt very much that they need to have anything to do with lonely AM though.  Perfect English spoken all over the airport.

Once, I took a trip downtown and to the sea port.  There I found many people who did not speak English and it got a little dicy to find my way back to the airport in time.

JR

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

I flew from JFK to St. Petersburg through Helsinki on Finn Air, November 1999.  No problems what so ever.  Food was passable, stewardesses were not too good looking.  More importantly the flight was right on time both ways.  No need to worry about Finnish.  Everything was said in English and Finnish.  Good luck.  You get American frequent flyer miles with them.

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

Finland is a really nice country.  Many people speak English.  I had to stay in Helsinki on my way back from St Petersburg.  You don't want to stay in Helsinki though unless you have plenty of money.  Hotels and restaurants are expensive.  I stayed at the Intercontenental which was really outstanding and the food was some of the best I've every had.  

When you get off at St Petersburg, if you have to go to the rest room, do it before you pass through customs.  The rest rooms in the terminal were nice but the other one outside the terminal was disgusting.  

The flight from Helsinki to St Petersburg is pretty short.  I don't think it was more than an hour.  

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

I flew Finnair in December to Kyiv. The Helsinki airport is really small, smaller than Warsaw, and it is a 5 minute jaunt to the next gate, all located on the same concourse, as I recall. Most of the people at the airport spoke English. I would avoid the Russian if possible. No love lost! I had 40 minutes between flights. No problem! Also, both my Finnair flights landed about 10 and 20 minutes early.

Steve

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

If you look at it, AA has code sharing with Finnair on that route from LED to JFK, and the fares (for the same seats/same flight) were a lot less than the quoted Finnair rates.

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

I would not have a worry in the world about going with FinnAir.
It is one of the best airline in the whole world, better than most us airline.
You will also find out that the finn speak better english than most american.
While it is quite true that the airport is not as large as one would think,  it is a small country.  But small does not
mean that they are not up in this world,  they are and have not much to learn from us in North America.
It is the only way to go.  You will be quite surprise and happy of your choice.
Have a good trip and if you do have the time, if the time permit you.  Check the girls out in Helsinski, you will
be going back, take my word.

... in response to Re: Finnair Airlines?, posted by micha1 on Mar 13, 2002

...pretty good outfit with a decent safety record. Their on time performance is OK too, most of the problems associated with them are due to the wacky ATC system in Europe anyway.

I was taxiing past one of their DC9s once. It was loading PAX through the rear air-stairs so I turned to the other pilot and said: "Hey, look at all those people disappearing into Finair".  (Rikkada-boom!)

... in response to They're a ....., posted by LP on Mar 14, 2002


. . . young flight attendant who asked the grey haired captain how long it had been since he'd had any.

"1955," he answered.

She responded with "Gee, that's a LOOONG time ago!"

He said, looking at his watch, "I dunno, it's only 2130 now."

... in response to They're a ....., posted by LP on Mar 14, 2002

.

... in response to Re: Finnair Airlines?, posted by micha1 on Mar 13, 2002

While Texans speak perfect english some other regions of the country near you are pretty hard to understand.  I think you would have an easier time understanding english from someone in Finland since they would have learned the right way to speak.

... in response to Re: Finnair Airlines?, posted by micha1 on Mar 13, 2002

Saying that Finns speak better English than most Americans is absurd. They speak better English than most Canadians from Quebec for sure. Your posts are living proof of that.

... in response to you are wrong., posted by Reagan on Mar 13, 2002

I am a Finnish American (Last name with the NEN) from the U.P. (The Soo) of Michigan (You know, where natural beauty and history merge).  My Great grandpa came to this country to work in the copper mines and brought most his family along.  My grandma likes to use Finnair (Mostly because of the name) she has never told me of any problems.  Sorry but my English is terrible and I speak little to no Finnish…

... in response to Flyin Finn...., posted by Ryan on Mar 14, 2002

Oh ya and to prove it.. I am eating a pastie right now...  Really...

... in response to Re: Flyin Finn...., posted by Ryan on Mar 14, 2002

n/t

... in response to you are wrong., posted by Reagan on Mar 13, 2002

I think that micha was speaking of the fact that western europeans, speak more of the good old "queens english", not the wide variety of slang that we americans do.

Which is true in many cases.  My best friend in quebec, 28 yo dude, writes better "english" than freakin' shakespeare.

But of course, one reason the brits hate us because we've virtually destroyed old english, and it sometimes can be quite difficult to understand each other, (depending on how fast THEY speak, with the insanely heavy accent that is... - lol).

jmo... and exp.

... in response to you are wrong., posted by Reagan on Mar 13, 2002

....but at least he knows what BGH is and that makes him look a whole lot less stupid than your posts make you out to be. And you call yourself a Texan. lol!

... in response to Maybe so...., posted by LP on Mar 13, 2002

soulmate and kindred Micha1. You and your internet heroism make you look like the illogical thinker that you are. You two lovebirds make me laugh! Here, let me put this in lpspeak. Me thinks Micha1 should take up for himself if he is capable. As for stupid, you should know because almost everything you write sounds like it was written by a teenager. I bet you can't go one day without your stupid baby talk or without "lol" in a post. You and Micha1 are the most provincial thinkers on this board. It's America this, Texas that. You and your ridiculous stereotypes fit you more than they do anyone else. If you were not such a local yokel, you would know that a lot of the world criticizes America for being provincial. It looks like you are just the type of "ugly American" that everyone despises. So much for you and your small town attitude. As for Micha1, he lost any credibility when he made that ridiculous post about Cuba.

I have a message for you and Micha1, keep it coming girls! If either one of you two little ladies would take a freshman philosophy class, you would know how ridiculous you sound with your stereotypes and unprovable generalities.

Oh yeah Mr bigtalker, I thought you were moving to Norway. Go ahead, I doubt anyone will miss you. I guess lp=lousy person.

Cheers

Kevin

... in response to I knew you would come out to protect you..., posted by Reagan on Mar 14, 2002

Hey Kevin, please no personal attack, please.
I never meant to insult anyone, just told it as I saw it.
FinnAir is a great airline and the Finn are very nice people as a whole, with very high standard of living.
Would you believe their beef is raise without hormone,  their are well behave at all time, the girl are
beautiful and you do not need to carry a gun, on you or in your pickup truck.
Anyway, thanks........

... in response to Re: I knew you would come out to protect..., posted by micha1 on Mar 14, 2002

As for guns, did you hear about the Canadian sniper that killed an al Qaeda terrorist from 1500 yards away?

Now that is a shot.

Cheers

Kevin

... in response to One more thing., posted by Reagan on Mar 14, 2002

Now that was a shot! Even big bore long range competitions are only 1000 yards, and the bullseye is 3 feet. Thanks Canada!

Steve

... in response to Re: I knew you would come out to protect..., posted by micha1 on Mar 14, 2002

No problem Micha. I just wanted you to know how ridiculous you sound when you make these silly provincial remarks. It's just like when you said Cuba is a paradise. Well it is if you work in the tourist zone, otherwise it is a pretty hard life. I have some Cuban friends that can give you first hand accounts.

As for pickup trucks, I prefer German cars and I have not seen any made in Germany! As for guns, it is your buddy lp(lousy personality) that advocates shooting people. Check the archives. He also seems to think alzheimers is pretty funny. You should watch who you run with. If you lay down with dogs, you will catch fleas.

Cheers

Kevin

... in response to Re: Re: I knew you would come out to pro..., posted by Reagan on Mar 14, 2002

Micha is from Quebec.  The culture of the folks there is entirely different from that of the rest of the provinces, and the usa.  Lay off of the quebecois because they're in almost a "world" of their own.. it's as if Quebec, should be another country, like Quanada, or something like that.

The best friends I have, are in Quebec, and England....

All of them think I speak crap english too.

Nothing wrong with that...

They make me laugh with it.

PS: Been to russia... but have'ya been to quebec?

... in response to Re: Re: I knew you would come out to pro..., posted by Reagan on Mar 14, 2002

Kevin, I saw this alzheimers thing on the other thread...  whatever, alzheimers sucks, my mother's got it and I've got her in a decent nursing home at the tune of 3k++ a month.

Hell, based on my own post history, someone would figger that I've probably got alzheimers too.

Kevin, if you got trigger points, (as I do about a butt-load of topics), then maybe it would be better to eliminate them from your postings, or just ignore them.  hell I got a 15 yo daughter that's retarded too... big deal.  I'm a single parent and deal with it.  It takes a lot of titanium /mental/ reinforcements to work with this crap, or a final sit down.. and say... all is ok, and jokes and opinions are alright too.  (there's a lot of guys out there with un-bend-able standards wrt women et-al).

There's someone, for everyone, and not everybody is right, according to our own methods....

Don't use the forum to anonymously assasinate someone online, that you couldn't do in person.

jmht.

PS: and you've been there umpteen times and got your woman living with you...  You should be laughing at lp, not chastising him.  You got it good dewd.

... in response to Alzheimers..., posted by BrianN on Mar 15, 2002

Thanks for your openmindedness, at least someone here has character.

Notice how he was the one who started this outta the blue twice now, I've left him alone until he did so. Just pay attention to who swings first in the furture, eh? He calls me provincial and an ugly American? lol! Look at how hes so quick to jump on anything anti-USA. Hes a perfect example of the closed minded redneck the world thinks about when they think about the USA. This guy is the *classic* loser who had to go to the FSU because no A/W would tolerate him, its as obvious as can be.

lol, as for him "pissin" me off, thats a hoot! If he was pissin me off I would respond to every post he makes but I don't. Hes the one who can't resist taking a shot outta the blue. He is so lowest common denominator its a riot. He talks about philosiphy (which is opinion) but knows squat about pyschology (fact) and thats why it was so much fun to jerk him around. He sure is predictable, I'll give him that! Becuase he is so lame, repetitive and boring, it isn't worth it any longer.

He is breakin my heart about Ron Reagan. For all the damage this clown did to the country, suffering from Alzheimers is way to good for him. My political opinions are my own and he can take a flyin f*** at a rolling donut if he doesn't like them.

Oh, one more thing. He can laugh at me all he wants, because I don't broadcast my situation here. The fact is that his comment about "having before I did" is just as wrong as all the other crap he spouts. There are some here who know my score, but have the decency to keep it to themselves. You think hes got it good? I'll beat him in any area, anytime. Like you said, you can't get me anything for Christmas. :-)

lol, and I didn't have to go there "umpteen" times to do it.

... in response to Re: I knew you would come out to protect..., posted by micha1 on Mar 14, 2002

Did you know that it was considered rude and just plain not nice to drive your pick-up truck in Texas without your rifle! He11, that would be like driving to the grocery store, garage sale or ballet without letting your golden retriever come along with you.

In the back seat of my pick-up, only a two feet from my reach, you will find Sweet Betty. Sweet Betty is my little 30 caliber carbine with one full 30 round clip and two 10 round clips. As we say here, you never know when war will break out!

... in response to Michael, posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

Had fun reading this, Jack, knowing you a little, you also had fun writing it.
As for my part, I am ambivalent about this gun thing in the States.
This is serious, now, a few years past, coming out of a show in South Florida.  A friend from my home town,
living in Fort Lauderdale, did give me a lift in his car.  What a surprise, he kept the biggest gun I had ever seen
between the front seats.  He did explain that it was somehow necessary there.  Can I tell you that I felt very much
uneasy.
A year later, coming back from NJ on 87 North, the thruway, we stop for a coffee at a rest area.  It was sunday
morning.  The place was jammed pack with hunters carrying guns in the restaurant.
We really thought that we were in a circus and looked at this with curiosity.
Suddenly a person walking by a table with a cabaret in his hands, made someone else gun fall on the floor,
an arguement started, shouting and everything.  At any moment we were sure to find ourselves in a real replay
of OK Corral, with all the people around arming their guns, being ready to go at it.
Some of these guys and girls had guns like the one Rambo used in his movies.
Fortunately some cool heads did prevail and clamed these guys.
We got out of there, our knees were shaking, in hurry to get home.  No stopping anymore.
Since then, I do go to the States, three times a year.  In August to Jersey,  September to Lexington and in
November to Harrisburg PA.  I do fly, no more  driving and  do not stay anymore than I do have to.

A follow up, upon coming home we spoke about it with other friends.  And one the joker, who was with us.
Decided that, he would put a toy gun (plastic) in the back window of a pickup truck and drive around.
Wanting to know what would be the people reaction.
Well he lasted seven minutes, three cop cars came at him, they were not laughing.  He went straight to jail,
did not pass Go, did not collect the 200$.   But it did cost him in fine, 1800$, plus a lawyer's fee, plus a
criminal record.
I said this because, perhaps are we neighbor with the States, many people are educated in the way, etc..
but we sure have diffrent customs.             Thanks.

... in response to Re: I knew you would come out to protect..., posted by micha1 on Mar 14, 2002

...MOnsewer, at least he's consistent! What a hoot! lol, touchy too, ain't he? Ignore this moron, he's not representative of real Texans, he just makes them look bad.

Every post he makes is full of errors and shows how dumb he really is. lol, a Texan who isn't familiar with BGH isn't very edjumacated. (Maybe he should up his wife's dose.)

Don't let him rile you Monsewer, you think he has a 20 room mansion in Canada and a country estate in France? lol, nope, he's livng in a refridgerator box under an overpass near DFW.

In keeping with my policy of one reply only, this is it. He can have at it with more of his great ramblings if he wants, but not to worry, I'll be here to spank him if he gets outta hand again. Btw...gun in the pickup, lol, thats good!

Ok, I have to jet off to Norway now :-)

... in response to lol, As I've said before..., posted by LP on Mar 14, 2002

There you go again. You argue like a woman. All namecalling and irrational thought with zero substance. Sounds like you got ahold of some bad geritol again. LOL!!!!!!!!! As for all this Texas stuff, you would fit right in with all your redneck lingo and Forrest Gump personality.

As for dumb, well little lady you and Micha1 have shown your low level of thought time and time again. Does anybody remember Micha1's Cuba comment? How about LP and his alzheimers comment?

It never fails. Whenever Micha1 makes a ridiculous statement, his lovebird lp crawls out of his hole and defends him. It sounds like Micha1 has a picture of lp and a billygoat in a compromising position!

Cheers

Kevin

... in response to Re: lol, As I've said before..., posted by Reagan on Mar 14, 2002

it ain't like everybody's gay or kissing ass.

Maybe it's just better to have a free for all, and throw the bathwater out with the kid... and simply say, who gives a dam?  What he says makes sense sometimes... not always, but sometimes... it just fits.

Alright MonSewer Kevin...  (lol just jerkin yer chain).

... in response to You and friggin LP need to bury this wor..., posted by BrianN on Mar 14, 2002

lp attacks people all the time. The old cratchety cooter will attack anyone that does not fall in line with his flawed thinking. He is a classic example of someone who can dish it out, but can't take the response. Sometimes I pity him and sometimes I laugh at him. Even though he babbles and rambles, I get a kick out of pissing him off. Sorry if it bothers you.

Cheers

Kevin

... in response to I know a good place to bury it., posted by Reagan on Mar 14, 2002

Dam, I didn't realize that this thread actually had a life until tonight.

But I wouldn't characterise a one liner hard-ass as an attacker per-se.  Heck this place takes all types.  Maybe it's just good that while we look for "good, and comforting guidance" from others... there's always the devil on the shoulder telling you that you're going to hell, and he's going to enjoy watching.

haha.. that's lp... I wonder, how many LP's are out there reading this crap that never post.

... in response to You and friggin LP need to bury this wor..., posted by BrianN on Mar 14, 2002

Hey, you guys can bad mouth each other and the other's friends and mom's or whomever, but let's please refrain from using this great country's name in vain. You can talk bad about Iraq, France, Canada, but please not Texas!

... in response to Let's quit using this country's name in ..., posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

....Texas is a state, not a country. lol, I know Texans alway think on a grand scale, but thats a bit much. :-)

... in response to Ahhh, Jack...., posted by LP on Mar 14, 2002

What's this you say!  NOT a country!

... in response to Let's quit using this country's name in ..., posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

Jack,Hey Hey Hey,leave Canada out of this too.
                         Mike

... in response to Let's quit using this country's name in ..., posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

you've finally overstepped your bounds!
You're now in my dog house - how can you promote any bad talk about "Canada"??
Maybe for your next BBQ I'll send you some real beef, and then you'll be in everyone's bad books for trying to foster that 'Texan stuff' off as "beef"!!!

... in response to That's it Jack!!!! ..........., posted by Del on Mar 14, 2002

Calm down now Del, we need our good buddies up there in Canada land. Letting us install many of our radar sites and other sensitive intelligence equipment is greatly appreciated.

And you are right about that Canadian beef. You guys do a good job of producing good beef. In a National survey done here in Texas our cows were interviwed and Canada was there second choice to live and be raised right after Texas.

Ok, enough with this talk. If you would like I will send you my mailing address and you can send down, maybe some 20 pounds, of your beef and we will Bar-B-Que it along side of our beef and let everyone try a little Candian beef with our beef. He11 Del, why don't you just bring it yourself?

As Bob Barkers side-kick would say, " Del, C'mon down!"
Join the party on April 6th.

... in response to That's it Del!!! ..........., posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

"Happy cows come from California." That's cuz we keep them pregnant and fondle their udders twice a day instead of firing them up on the barbie. IMHO Iowa has the best beef.

... in response to You are both wrong!, posted by Rags on Mar 14, 2002

HEY, U thar young newlywed, u best nut b gitting involved with this thar beef kontoversy!

... in response to You are both wrong!, posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

I think that I'll get off this machine and chase the little lady around instead. Keep on smilin' Pardner!

... in response to That's it Del!!! ..........., posted by Jack on Mar 14, 2002

but I'm back to Crimea again in May, and can't get away in April :-((

... in response to Sounds good..., posted by Del on Mar 14, 2002

Ok, no problem Del, maybe next year. But you can still send the Canadian beef!

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

Finnair is a wonderful airline. At least that has been my experience anyway. As long as your departure from JFK is on time your 1 hour connection in Helsinki should be just fine. The airport is TINY!! Departure flights are in English as well.

John

... in response to Finnair Airlines?, posted by CFonde on Mar 13, 2002

I flew FinnAir several times, including the route you are taking.  FinnAir is wonderfully efficient.

You should have no trouble at Helsinki-Vantaan Airport (HEL).  It is about the size of a large domestic regional airport.  Very clean and polished.  All signs are bilingual, and all the Finns speak English very well.  The airport is a sort of northern regional hub, so there is quite a bit of international traffic through there.  Your MD-11 will arrive at one gate, then 5 paces later you will be at the departure gate for the flight to St. Pete.  They know that many people use FinnAir to Russia, so they do hold the DC-9 to Pulkuvo, St. Pete should the flight from New York be delayed for any reason.
For more information, see the airline web site at http://www.us.finnair.com/ or the airport web site at http://www.vantaa.fi/cgi-bin/sivut?lang=en .