With the launch of its new services between Helsinki and Los Angeles on 31 March 2019, Finnair has introduced a range of new amenities for business class passengers. The amenities will be rolled out on all transcontinental flights on the airline’s A350 and A330 aircraft.
The amenities have been designed in partnership with Finnish design house Marimekko to complement the new sleep textiles in Finnair’s long-haul business class, which feature the classic Kaivo print in a dark blue tone-on-tone colourway. The Kaivo print was designed by Maija Isola, one of the most iconic Marimekko designers.
The amenity kits and eye shades feature four different Maija Isola designs from the 1960s – Rautasänky, Joonas, Jenkka and Pieni Melooni, with each pattern in two different colourways. A jacquard weave technique brings dark blue together with a second colour in each of the eight combinations, for a premium look with a collectible feel. Finnair will introduce two new designs at a time, changing them for another two every six months.
“We wanted to introduce more patterns more often, so there is something new and fresh for our frequent flyers,” says David Kondo, Head of Cabin Interior Development at Finnair. “The new kits have also been sized so they can live on after the flight for a variety of uses.”
Finnair acknowledges the fact that sleep is an important part of the business class experience, therefore the airline has upgraded the business class eye shades with soft-touch fabric and higher-quality straps. The ear plugs in the kit are more effective too.
Each new amenity kit comes wrapped in a cardboard band – instead of plastic – with a QR code that customers can scan with a personal mobile device to read more about Isola’s inspiration for the patterns. The information is provided in a range of languages and can be accessed inflight via the Nordic Sky Wi-Fi portal.
Sustainability is a key factor for Finnair, and environmental considerations have played a big part in the product design of the new amenity kits as well.
The toothbrush is made from bio-plastic containing cornstarch, and plastic wrappings for the earplugs have been replaced with wax paper. In addition, the new business class slippers are a Nordic-style design made entirely from recycled PET plastic bottles. As with the amenity kit, each new pair of slippers comes wrapped in a cardboard band instead of the previous plastic packaging.
With these changes, Finnair will be able to reduce plastic waste by almost 4,500 kg per year.
Finnair also provides an on-demand concept for some of the less commonly used amenity items, including razors, socks and combs. Memory-foam pillows are available on demand too, along with shawls made of a modacrylic-wool-blend with a soft and warm feel.
The new amenity kits will have products from L:A Bruket – the natural and organic skincare brand from Sweden.
Each amenity kit includes aluminium tubes of almond-coconut lip cream and a chamomile-lavender facial hydrator from L:A Bruket. Finnair will also offer L:A Bruket hand soap and hand cream in its on-board business class lavatories, as well as L:A Bruket products in its airport lounge bathrooms and shower suites. Scents of cucumber-mint, lemongrass and grapefruit leaf have been chosen to help customers feel refreshed.
“Finnair and L:A Bruket are both Nordic brands that value sustainability,” adds Kondo. “We view this partnership as a great initiative to increase the appeal of our amenity kit. We’re also trying to connect the lounge and in-flight experience more and more for our customers, and offering organic and natural L:A Bruket products both on the ground and in the air is a great step in that direction.”
