Finnair was recently awarded the best airline in Northern Europe at the Oscar gala of the aviation industry – Skytrax’s World Airline Awards gala. However, this is not the first time, but in fact the 12th time the airline has won the accolade. No wonder, because the airline knows how to please its flyers and everything.

Let’s break it down so you can understand the true weight of these words. Finnair is the first customer of the Collins Aerospace AirLounge™ seat – a collaboration that the airline cherishes as it sees “an opportunity to change the way you think about how you fly in business”. It’s not like anything you’ve seen in Business class, just something that Finnair’s director of customer experience and product design recognized as unique and implemented. A wise decision if ever there was one, and one that explains the laurels it has received and will surely continue to garner.

The experience of the new Finnair Business Class begins in the lounge. I experienced this recently on a new route from Mumbai to Helsinki. The three-times-a-week flight so far, which will increase to four in November, is the airline’s second foray into India after New Delhi. The connection not only serves Finland, but also other large cities in the United States and Europe.

The duration of the flight was nine hours and thirty minutes. Generally long, but comfortable and relaxing in business class on Finnair’s Airbus A330-300. The fact that the in-flight entertainment was enriched with the content of the trip was of course an added advantage.

The newly redesigned entertainment system has added more movies, TV shows, music, games and more with its easy interface and accessibility. The large 18-inch screen was one big plus, as were the noise-canceling headphones. Dining was also a completely different experience, and such a treat! We are spoiled for choice. A six-course meal and a light meal. Nordic and continental food was served in the Finnish porcelain brand Iittalia designed by its award-winning designer Harri Koskinen. Really great, no doubt. I must say it was a classy way to dine in the clouds.

Another brand related to Finnair is Marimekko. Founded in 1951, the brand is known to have gained fame and recognition for its design prowess in the 1960s. The cooperation with Finnair began in 2012, and sophistication can be seen in the cabin textiles and entertainment sets. These are now more prominent in the new Business Class and Premium Economy cabins. The designs have been implemented by the brand’s renowned designer Maija Isola.

This brings us to the excellence of the AirLounge seat and Collins. The seat is flexible and functional. It is comfortable and also convenient. I can easily say that I had one of the best sleeps on this flight. The flat bed is spacious and the mattress comfortable. It can also be adjusted in a way that is not common in other business class lounges. The most attractive part about these seats is that they offer plenty of privacy thanks to the high backs and flexibility of the seats. Each seat is accessible via an aisle, and the middle seat in particular has a large divider to determine your privacy if you’re traveling alone or with a companion.

A great part of traveling in Business class is its fine wine list, especially champagne and the most exciting collection of cocktails. I got to taste Finnair’s own Northern Blush created in connection with the Danish Mikropolis cocktails. It contains real Finnish licorice, gin and orange peel – and is as fresh as it sounds! This red drink is packaged in a can and served with ice and a lemon wedge.

After this treat in the sky, we landed in Helsinki relaxed and well traveled. Helsinki Airport was the last cherry on top, especially for those who didn’t know about the establishment yet. The airport is advanced and has advanced security controls. Thanks to these advancements, I didn’t have to open my laptop case every time to reveal its contents. We were also allowed to carry more than 100 ml of plastic in hand luggage.

The experience was great, no doubt. Comfort renewed, for sure.

A return flight from Mumbai to Helsinki costs around 190,000 rupiah in business class. Book a visit Finnair.com.

Note – The author was invited by Finnair, but all opinions expressed here are his own.