Flying Finnair Economy From Naples to Helsinki: What Surprised Me and Why I’d Fly Them Again

I’ve flown hundreds of airlines and routes over the years, but one airline I hadn’t written much about was Finnair. That changed this summer when my family and I flew from Naples, Italy to Helsinki, Finland on our way to Toronto, Canada. The best part? I redeemed just 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per person for our flights from Naples to Toronto, with a 16-hour layover in Helsinki. Instead of booking the shortest connection possible, I purposely chose a long layover so we could break up the journey and, more importantly, introduce our kids to a new destination.

We all ended up loving Helsinki, but I’ll save our adventures in Finland for another story. This trip report focuses on our June 30, 2026 Finnair flight from Naples to Helsinki, including the airport experience, boarding, seats, onboard service and a few things I wish I’d known beforehand.

Getting from Ischia to Naples Airport

Our journey actually began on the beautiful Italian island of Ischia, where we’d been spending time with family. After sending out my newsletter, we packed up and took a 90-minute ferry to Naples. From the ferry terminal, we needed to get to Naples International Airport (NAP), which is relatively close to the city center.

I originally planned to book a ride using the FreeNow app, but when we arrived, there were taxis waiting and the drivers were offering lower prices than what the app was quoting. We decided to take one of the waiting taxis and arrived at the airport about 15 minutes later. Travel tip: Don’t automatically assume a rideshare or taxi app will offer the lowest fare. It’s worth comparing prices with official taxis, especially in cities like Naples. Just make sure you agree on the fare or confirm that the meter will be used before getting in.

Arriving at Naples Airport Four Hours Early

We arrived at Naples Airport approximately four hours before our scheduled departure. I know that sounds excessive for a flight within Europe, but when you’re traveling with two kids and multiple bags, I prefer having extra time rather than rushing.

Naples Airport is fairly small compared to major European hubs, and unfortunately, arriving early doesn’t necessarily mean you can check in early. Finnair’s check-in counters weren’t scheduled to open until two hours before departure, although they ended up opening around two and a half hours beforehand. That left us with some time to kill.

Where to Eat at Naples Airport

Since we couldn’t check our luggage yet, Natalie asked ChatGPT for a recommendation on where to eat at the airport. It came back with a good suggestion, Fresco, and we decided to grab one last Italian meal before leaving the country. We ordered pizza and pasta, which were reasonably priced by airport standards. If I remember correctly, the pizza was around €7 and the pasta was approximately €12.

One thing that made me a little nervous was the luggage situation. Our larger bags were placed near a back door, and although nobody touched them, I wasn’t thrilled about having them out of my immediate reach.

The restaurant was also a reminder that service in Italy can move at a different pace than what many Americans are accustomed to. We were supposed to pay using a QR code at the table, but it wasn’t working, and getting a waiter’s attention took longer than expected. Fortunately, we’d arrived with plenty of time to spare.

Travel tip: If you’re eating at an airport restaurant in Europe, don’t wait until the last minute to ask for the bill. Payment systems don’t always work as expected, and you don’t want a leisurely meal to turn into a mad dash to your gate.

Finnair Check-In at Naples Airport

When Finnair’s check-in counters finally opened, there was already a long line. Although there was a sign indicating priority check-in, there wasn’t an obvious dedicated lane. I asked an airport employee for assistance, and she checked with the staff before directing us to an unmarked lane. This is one of those times where you really have to speak up. If you’re entitled to priority check-in, don’t assume the correct line will be clearly marked.

The good news is that the agent didn’t weigh our bags, and we were able to check our luggage without any issues. Our tickets included one checked bag per person, weighing up to 23 kilograms (approximately 50 pounds), along with a carry-on and a small personal item. We also received access to the airport’s Fast Track security lane, which was a nice perk considering how busy the airport was.

Fast Track Security at Naples Airport

Fast Track was a huge time-saver because there was essentially no line. The security process was fairly straightforward, although we did have to remove our laptops from our bags. One interesting detail was that a security agent told us the kids didn’t need to empty their water bottles. That’s not something I would count on at every airport, since liquid screening rules can vary. I also triggered the security scanner, which led to an additional check of my hands and waist. It wasn’t a big deal, and we were soon on our way.

Visiting the Priority Pass Lounge at Naples Airport

Since we had some time before boarding, we headed to the airport lounge using our Priority Pass membership. When we arrived, there were about eight people ahead of us in line, but when we left the line was long (see photo above).

The lounge was busy, and there weren’t many empty seats, but I noticed that it had expanded since my previous visit. The food was okay, nothing particularly memorable, but having a place to sit and relax before our flight was appreciated. When you’re traveling with kids, access to a lounge can make a big difference, especially when you’ve already spent several hours at the airport.

Finding Our Finnair Gate

One thing I noticed about Naples Airport is that the departure information screens don’t always provide gate assignments very far in advance. At one point, the screen indicated that Finnair’s gate wouldn’t be announced until 7:20 p.m. for our 8 p.m. departure. Fortunately, the gate assignment appeared a little earlier, and we made our way to Gate C19.

Unlike many airports where you board directly through a jet bridge, Naples sometimes requires passengers to take a bus or walk across the apron to their aircraft. In our case, we walked to the plane, which I actually enjoy because it gives you a great view of the aircraft. However, boarding was a little chaotic, and I noticed several passengers trying to cut ahead in line. One woman even used the elevator to get ahead of the crowd. My advice? Pay attention to the boarding announcements, know your boarding group and don’t be afraid to politely speak up when necessary.

Boarding Finnair Flight AY1794

Our flight was Finnair AY1794, operated by an Airbus A320. We were scheduled to depart Naples at 8 p.m. and arrive in Helsinki at 12:25 a.m. the following morning. We had four seats together in Row 8: 8C, 8D, 8E and 8F. Although the crew announced that the flight was full, there was surprisingly plenty of room in the overhead bins. Even better, the seat next to me ended up being empty, giving me a little extra space. That’s always a welcome surprise when flying economy.

The aircraft was also pumping out plenty of cold air. There was so much condensation that it was noticeable in the cabin. I would much rather have an aircraft that’s too cold than too hot, especially during a European summer, so I wasn’t complaining. According to FlightAware, we pushed back at 7:58 p.m., two minutes ahead of schedule, and took off at 8:14 p.m.

A Special Surprise for Jack

One of the highlights of the flight happened before we even took off. Jack was invited to visit the cockpit! As someone who has loved aviation since childhood, I always appreciate when pilots and flight attendants take a moment to make flying special for kids. Experiences like this can leave a lasting impression, and I’m grateful whenever an airline crew makes the effort. It’s also one of the reasons I encourage parents to introduce their children to travel at a young age. You never know which small experience might spark a lifelong passion.

What Finnair Economy Class Is Like

Finnair’s Airbus A320 had a fairly standard European economy class cabin. There were no seatback entertainment screens or power outlets at our seats, so passengers needed to bring their own entertainment and make sure their devices were charged before boarding. This is especially important when flying with children. We always bring our kids’ tablets and headphones when we travel, along with downloaded movies and shows, so they’re not dependent on an airline’s entertainment system.

The flight attendants made announcements in both Finnish and English, and I noticed they wore black gloves during service. Another thing that stood out was the bright evening sunlight. Even though we were flying late in the day, the sun was still shining brightly for much of the journey. That’s one of the interesting things about traveling to Northern Europe in the summer, when the days are exceptionally long.

Finnair’s Famous Blueberry Juice Drink

One of the things I’d heard about Finnair before flying them was their signature blueberry juice, and now I understand why people love it. While snacks and most drinks were available for purchase in economy, Finnair offered complimentary water and blueberry juice. I tried the blueberry juice and thought it was delicious. It’s such a simple touch, but it’s also a smart way for an airline to distinguish itself from the competition. If you ever fly Finnair, make sure you try it.

For passengers wanting something more substantial, Finnair offered the option to purchase snacks or pre-order meals before departure. Prices for pre-ordered meals started at €7.90 when I checked. Business class passengers were served a hot meal, but there wasn’t a complimentary meal service in economy on this flight. Since we’d eaten at Naples Airport, that wasn’t a problem for us.

An Important Finnair Power Bank Rule

One travel tip worth mentioning involves portable chargers. Finnair introduced new restrictions effective June 24, 2026, just days before our flight. Under the policy, passengers are limited to two power banks, each with a maximum capacity of 100 watt-hours. Using or charging power banks during the flight is prohibited.

This is especially important on an aircraft without power outlets, since you can’t rely on a portable charger to keep your devices running during the flight. Make sure your phone, tablet and other electronics are fully charged before boarding. You can read Finnair’s current restrictions here.

Arriving in Helsinki Just After Midnight

Our flight landed at Helsinki Airport at 12:10 a.m. on July 1 and arrived at Gate 16 at 12:16 a.m. That was nine minutes ahead of our scheduled gate arrival time. The total time from gate to gate was approximately three hours and 18 minutes.

Despite the late hour, Helsinki Airport was easy enough to navigate. I noticed a Santa Claus statue, which seemed fitting given Finland’s famous connection to Santa and Lapland.

There were also familiar food options, including Subway and Burger King, along with a grocery store.

Since we had a 16-hour layover, we weren’t planning to sleep in the terminal. Instead, we’d booked a hotel in the city so we could get some rest and explore Helsinki the following day.

Getting From Helsinki Airport to Our Hotel

We stayed at the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel in Helsinki. After arriving, we followed the signs for app-based transportation. The designated pickup area required a fairly long walk, which is something to keep in mind if you’re traveling with young children or lots of luggage. Our ride cost €22.60 after a €2.50 discount, which I thought was quite reasonable for a late-night airport transfer.

One advantage of visiting Helsinki is that ride-hailing services such as Bolt and Uber operate there, so you can compare prices before booking. For our family, getting a car directly to the hotel made much more sense than trying to navigate public transportation after midnight.

Why We Chose a 16-Hour Layover

Some travelers might look at a 16-hour layover and think it sounds miserable. I looked at it as an opportunity. Instead of spending the entire journey sitting on airplanes and in airports, we could visit another country, explore a new city and give our kids another travel experience. Our onward flight to Toronto wasn’t scheduled to depart until 4:50 p.m. the following afternoon, which gave us time to see a little of Helsinki before continuing our journey.

We all loved our brief visit to Finland, and I’ll share more about what we did during our layover in a separate article. It’s a good reminder that a long connection doesn’t have to be wasted time. With a little planning, it can turn into an unexpected highlight of your trip.

Would I Fly Finnair Again?

Absolutely. Our flight from Naples to Helsinki wasn’t particularly luxurious, but it didn’t need to be. The flight operated on time, the crew was friendly, we had plenty of overhead bin space and Jack got to visit the cockpit. The lack of power outlets and seatback entertainment was disappointing, especially for families who depend on electronic devices during flights, but we were prepared. And of course, the complimentary blueberry juice was a nice touch.

What made this trip particularly worthwhile was the ability to redeem American Airlines miles for Finnair flights and turn a connection into an adventure. For 30,000 AAdvantage miles per person, we were able to fly from Naples to Toronto via Helsinki in economy class, with checked baggage included. It’s a good reminder that when booking award tickets, sometimes the best itinerary isn’t necessarily the fastest one. Sometimes a long layover can become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.

Bottom line: If you’re considering flying Finnair within Europe, I’d happily recommend giving them a try. Just bring your own entertainment, charge your devices before boarding and don’t forget to order the blueberry juice.