Connecting through HEL

I like HEL. :)

However, I can’t speak to the speed of the process flying through with 2 tickets. Distances are pretty long (I fly One World, if that matters). AA PP gives me Finn Air Business Lounge, even if flying economy and it’s a very nice lounge.

I have stayed at the Hilton at the airport (landside) with a long overnight layover, about a 5 minute or so walk, arriving at 10:30pm (shout out to Frank II for the recommendation.) With an even longer layover, I have taken the train and spent the night in town - with my connections, it gives me time for dinner but not much else. (I really hate early morning flights and am happy to spend the night in Helsinki to avoid them.)

I have not spent time in long lines - I have transited a few times, but only entered the country once. There are plenty of places to eat and shop, if you want. The train is also convenient. Signage is good. I just always have a pretty good hike to and from my gates. It’s not exciting but it’s easy.

Despite its airport code, I'm guessing that HEL is actually a fairly pleasant airport (and one that's easy enough to transit through without burning many hours).

Only if your luggage is a hand basket.

:-)

Hi David. Yes, we've flown in and out of there, and also connected. The airport works well. But to your question about separate tickets, my worry wouldn't be about delays getting thru the airport, it would be about delay of your incoming flight. If your incoming flight is delayed by 2, 4, or 6+ hours, are you OK with the cost and hassle of your plan B?

Only if your luggage is a hand basket...

Good point. I also understand that the motorway from downtown Helsinki to the airport was paved with high-quality, Scandinavian intentions...

And by extension, as someone else recently said...since rock music has taught us there's a highway to Helsinki's airport but only a stairway to the Tweed New Haven Airport, it speaks volumes about the expected traffic demand for each destination.

my worry wouldn't be about delays getting thru the airport, it would be about delay of your incoming flight. If your incoming flight is delayed by 2, 4, or 6+ hours, are you OK with the cost and hassle of your plan B?

Indeed, I'm weighing exactly that.

The flight I'm looking at appears highly reliable according to the stats. But there's always the once-in-a-decade storm or other outlier event. If we are on two separate tickets, we would have around 3 hours to connect, which would provide a decent buffer for all but the more extreme delays. In that case, Plan B would have us proceed the next day, which would be moderately annoying but not ruinous. I THINK I'm comfortable enough with that if it happens. My question was more about how things usually function within the airport itself, outside of black swan events.

Finally, as long as we're going there, both literally and figuratively...I have already been to Fukuoka's airport, and also Sioux City Iowa's, so flying to Helsinki and back would complete the trifecta of silly airport codes on my bingo card - a worthy goal for any traveler.

I've never been to HEL. But my maternal grandparents were immigrants from Finland, so I am massively curious about it, and the entire country.

Please post an incredibly detailed trip report upon your return.

I have been through Helsinki a few times.

One bit of information, which cities are involved? Will you enter Schengen in Helskinki? Exit? Which airlines?

Helsinki is a busy but efficient airport. If you are flying Finnair, the gates are spread out.

Connecting at any airport on two separate tickets is risky. It also depends when you are traveling? Will this be the first time traveling through when EES is operational? If so, it may take a few extra mintues to register.

https://airportcodes.io/en/blog/top-10-strangest-airport-codes-in-the-world/

Draw you own conclusion on the 'why'.