Finnair Upgrade: A Guide on How to Upgrade Your Flight

A Finnair Upgrade allows you to upgrade your travel class on eligible flights. Once you’ve been upgraded, you can get all the perks and benefits of the higher travel class—often without having to pay the full fare. The upgrade process is simple and you can do it online, with the mobile app, or through Finnair’s customer service center. You can purchase an upgrade by card or use your Finnair points/upgrade benefits to upgrade a flight.

Upgrades are subject to availability and some restrictions may apply, but offer a great way for you to enhance your flight experience without breaking the bank. 

Points to Remember About Finnair Upgrades

Finnair seat upgrades can be a great way to enhance your travel experience, but there are a few important points to keep in mind. 

• You can upgrade your Finnair flight by card or with your Finnair points or upgrade benefits—but not with the loyalty program points of other airlines.

Note. Card payments for upgrades are temporarily unavailable online or through the mobile app. If you want to pay by card, you must request your upgrade by contacting customer service via chat or phone.

• You can only upgrade flights operated by Finnair or Norra with an AY flight number on the ticket. You cannot upgrade flights operated by other airlines. 
• Premium Economy to Business Class upgrade is currently available only via Finnair’s customer service. The quickest way to reach customer service is through Finnair’s chatbot Sisu. 
• Economy Class to Business Class upgrade availability can be both checked and booked through Finnair’s upgrade service tool. You can also upgrade online (Finnair.com) or through the mobile app. 
• You can use Finnair upgrade service tool to:
  • Check whether you can upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy or Business Class, and
  • Purchase an upgrade online
• To check upgrade availability and purchase by card, you can also contact customer service by phone or chat.
• All upgrades are subject to availability.
• To pay for an upgrade (or upgrade benefits) with points, you must sign in to your Finnair Plus account and purchase the upgrade online via Finnair.com or the mobile app. 
• You can use your points and upgrade benefits to purchase an upgrade for your flight as well as that of someone else. 
• If you don’t have enough points, you can purchase Finnair Plus points by card and then use them to purchase the upgrade. 
• If an upgrade is confirmed, the travel extras (meals, seats, etc.) that you paid for will be refunded automatically (with some exceptions). 
• Even non-changeable tickets can be upgraded.
• Finnair Plus members are entitled to the following benefits:
  • Upgrade priority, i.e., if upgrade seats are available, Platinum Lumo, Platinum, and Gold tier members will be allotted the confirmed seats first. If seats aren’t available, they’ll be waitlisted.
  • All members can waitlist for a flight upgrade starting 360 days before departure.
  • Platinum Lumo, Platinum, and Gold tier members can select a confirmed upgrade up to 360 days before departure.
  • All members can waitlist themselves for a class upgrade with points or upgrade benefits.
    • Waitlisted upgrades are confirmed 59 days to 37 hours before departure, subject to availability.
    • If a waitlisted upgrade cannot be confirmed at least 37 hours before departure, your points or upgrade benefits will be refunded automatically within 24 hours.
  • Platinum Lumo, Platinum, Gold, and Silver tier members are allowed 1 complimentary carry-on bag (55cm x 40cm x 23cm) on short-haul flights on an Economy Superlight ticket instead of the smaller bag allowed otherwise. 
  • Finnair Plus Silver tier members can purchase an extra checked bag of 50lb/23kg at a 50% discount on all flights (no longer free), regardless of when the ticket was booked. The discount applies only to tickets purchased via Finnair’s digital channels or customer services, but not for purchases made at the airport.
• For upgrades made on or after June 15, 2023, points will be separately charged for each flight.

Finnair Bid for Upgrade

How do Finnair bid upgrades work?

Finnair has discontinued its bid-for-upgrade program. This program allowed passengers to bid for an upgrade to a higher class of service by submitting a monetary offer. While it was a popular option for many travelers looking to enhance their flying experience, Finnair has not provided any explanation as to why the program has been discontinued. However, the airline still offers other options for upgrading your seat, such as purchasing an upgrade online or at the check-in counter, or through the airline’s frequent flyer program. If you’re looking to elevate your flight experience with Finnair, there are still plenty of ways to do so. 

Finnair Points Upgrade

A Finnair Points upgrade can be a great way to make your travel experience even more enjoyable. By using your Finnair Plus points, you can upgrade your ticket to a higher class of service and enjoy the benefits that come with it. This includes access to exclusive lounges, priority boarding, as well as more comfortable seating arrangements. 

The points upgrade process is simple—just sign in to your Finnair Plus account, select the flight you want to upgrade, and use your points to pay the difference in fares. 

Note. When you upgrade with Finnair Plus points, the points that accrue to you will be based on the original ticket and not the upgraded ticket.

Finnair Upgrade Cost in Points

Finnair offers a variety of upgrade options, including the ability to upgrade using Finnair Plus Points. The cost of upgrading with points will depend on a number of factors, such as the route you are flying and the class of service you are upgrading to. In general, the cost of upgrading with Finnair Plus Points can range from 10,000 to 60,000 points per leg, as shown in the table below. You use your Finnair Plus Points to upgrade at any time after purchasing your ticket, up until check-in closes. 

Note. Finnair provides a simple tool on its website that allows you to check the upgrade cost in cash or points for a particular flight. To use this tool, simply enter your booking reference number and last name into the online form. Once you access your flight booking, you will be able to view the available upgrade options and associated costs in cash and Finnair Plus points.

Finnair Business Class Upgrade

If you’re considering a Business Class upgrade on Finnair, there are a number of benefits that you can expect to enjoy, such as:

• More space, comfort, and privacy 
• Priority check-in, security, and boarding
• Complimentary lounge access
• 1 extra piece of checked baggage (50lb/23kg)
• Complimentary meals and beverages
• Complimentary internet access 
• Attractive amenity kit (long-haul flights)

When can I purchase an upgrade to Business Class? 

You can purchase an upgrade to Business Class at the time of booking, or you can wait until closer to your departure date and see if any upgrades are available for purchase at the airport. 

• If you purchase your upgrade online in advance (or through the mobile app), you will get all the benefits of the Business Class upgrade mentioned above. 
• If you purchase your upgrade at the airport, you will get all the perks of the Business Class experience on the aircraft, but the airport priority services and lounge access will not be included. Also, the baggage allowance of your original ticket will apply.

The earliest you can purchase a Business Class upgrade is 59 days before departure time. Upgrades are available online or through the Finnair app: 

• Up to 3 hours prior to flight departure from Helsinki.
• Up to 8 hours prior to flight departure from North America, Dubai, Doha, and Asia.
• Up to 24 hours prior to flight departure from Europe.

Exception. If you’re a Finnair Plus member, you can purchase a Business Class upgrade starting 360 days before departure.

Finnair Business Class Upgrade Cost

Without flight details and dates, it is difficult to give an exact cost in cash/card for a Finnair Business Class upgrade. The cost of an upgrade can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the length of your flight, time of year, and demand for Business Class seats. You can check your eligibility for an upgrade through Finnair’s website or by contacting customer service directly.

However, the Business Class upgrade cost in Finnair Points is provided in the table below.

Finnair Premium Economy Upgrade

How does Finnair’s upgrade to Premium Economy work?

Finnair’s Premium Economy upgrade is the perfect way to enhance your travel experience and enjoy a more comfortable journey. The benefits of a Premium Economy upgrade on long-haul flights include:

• At least a 17.5cm/7in longer seat pitch vs. Standard Economy seats
• Better seat recline 
• Leg rest for the entire leg
• Complimentary meals and beverages
• Memory foam cushions 
• Minimum 13in in-flight entertainment screens 
• A Finnair amenity kit

Note. The checked baggage allowance will be per your original Economy Class ticket.  

How to purchase a Premium Economy upgrade?

You can upgrade to Premium Economy from Economy Class online or via Finnair’s mobile app. To upgrade online, just log in to the upgrade service tool using your booking reference number and family name, and you’ll be able to view the available upgrade options for Premium Economy (as well as Business Class).

Note. If you’re upgrading from Premium Economy to Business Class, you can only do it by contacting Finnair’s customer service by phone or chatbot (Sisu). 

Finnair Free Upgrades

Finnair offers various upgrade options for its passengers, but free upgrades are typically not available. However, there are ways to improve the chances of being upgraded, such as joining the airline’s loyalty program. Finnair may occasionally offer complimentary upgrades to frequent flyers or in special circumstances such as overbooking in Economy Class. It is always worth asking at check-in if any upgrades are available, but it is important to remember that these upgrades are based on availability and cannot be guaranteed. Ultimately, the best way to secure an upgrade with Finnair is to purchase a higher fare class when booking your ticket.

How Do Finnair Last Minute Upgrades Work?

Finnair’s last-minute upgrades offer a great opportunity for travelers to enjoy a more luxurious and comfortable flight experience without having to pay the full price of a Premium Economy or Business Class ticket. These upgrades are available at check-in or the gate, subject to availability. If there are unsold seats in the higher travel class, Finnair will offer them to eligible passengers for an additional fee. This fee varies depending on the route and distance traveled but is usually significantly lower than the cost of a full-priced ticket. 

Passengers who opt for last-minute upgrades at the airport will enjoy the perks of the higher cabin class except for lounge access and airport priority privileges. 

How Finnair Plus Upgrades Work

Finnair Plus Upgrade is a program that allows members of the Finnair Plus loyalty program to upgrade their seats on Finnair flights using points. Members can use their points to upgrade to Business or Premium Economy from Economy, or Premium Economy to Business Class, depending on availability. 

The number of points required to upgrade is based on the route, class of service, and the time of the year. Members can request an upgrade online or with the mobile app by logging in to their Finnair Plus account. Also, members are allowed to purchase points by card, and if they don’t have enough points, use them subsequently to purchase an upgrade. 

Finnair Upgrade from Economy to Business

If you’re looking to make your next flight a more luxurious experience, consider upgrading from Economy to Business Class on Finnair. With spacious seats, premium amenities, and top-notch service, flying in Business Class is the ultimate way to travel in style. Finnair’s Business Class features lie-flat seats that are perfect for catching up on sleep during long flights. 

You’ll also enjoy exclusive access to airport lounges, priority check-in and boarding, and delicious gourmet meals prepared by top chefs. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, a Business Class upgrade on Finnair is sure to make your journey a memorable one.

How to Check Upgrade Availability from Economy to Business Class?

You can check for upgrade availability (and purchase the upgrade online) using Finnair upgrade service tool. If you’re planning to purchase an upgrade (or upgrade benefits) with points, you can do it by logging in to your Finnair Plus account and buying the upgrade online or through the mobile app. 

How to upgrade to Business Class on Finnair?

To upgrade to Business Class on Finnair, you can either purchase an upgrade at check-in or contact Finnair Customer Service to inquire about available upgrades. Keep in mind that upgrades are subject to availability and may come at an additional cost. 

Another option is to use your Finnair Plus Points or reward points to upgrade your ticket. Regardless of which method you choose, an upgrade to Business Class on Finnair will provide you with a better flight experience with amenities such as lie-flat seats, priority boarding, premium dining options, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions on Finnair Upgrade 

Regardless of whether you fly frequently with Finnair, you may have questions about the airline’s upgrade policies. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions on Finnair upgrade to help you navigate the process of upgrading your flight. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your seat class or use your points to gain access to additional perks, we’ve got you covered.