Review: Aspire Lounge by Gate 27 at Helsinki Airport
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We visit Aspire Lounge multiple times a year. The lounge is maintained by Swissport which is known for its Executive Lounges. Read our review to know how we rate this Schengen area lounge at Gate 27 of Helsinki Airport.
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Aspire Lounge
Aspire Lounge is one of the business lounges in the Schengen area of Helsinki Airport. The lounge operates at two different locations at the airport and this review concentrates on the lounge at gate 27. The lounge is operated by an international ground handling company, Swissport. Aspire Lounge is open to everyone so it is not an airline lounge.
We visit Aspire Lounge regularly when flying out from Helsinki Airport to domestic and international destinations. Helsinki Airport is our home base so the lounge has become familiar to us. In addition, to Aspire Lounge, there are six other lounges at Helsinki Airport and half of them are in the Schengen area.
Located in the Schengen Area
Helsinki Airport has one terminal which consists of two connected buildings. Walking between the buildings takes only 5 to 15 minutes so you can access Aspire Lounge at gate 27 easily as long as your flight leaves for a Schengen destination. If you are flying out from the Schengen area, you can still visit Aspire Lounge but you need to reserve 15 minutes more time to clear passport control after the lounge visit. That makes a lounge visit a little unpractical and we recommend using other lounges outside the Schengen area then. For example, you may give a try Plaza Premium Lounge.
Aspire Lounge is located upstairs near gate 27. It replaces the premises of previous Fly Inn Restaurant. The stairs up leave from gate 27 and an elevator is a few stops away.
There is also another Aspire Lounge at Gate 13.
Opening Hours
Aspire Lounge is open daily from 5 AM to 8 PM. You should allocate enough time when arriving at the airport taking note of needing to pass the security control so you'll have enough time to spend at the lounge.
How to Get in?
Aspire Lounge welcomes travellers who are members of Priority Pass, DragonPass and LoungeKey lounge programs. These memberships usually come together with a premium credit card, like Curve Metal or American Express Platinum. If you do not have a suitable payment card, it is still possible to purchase Priority Pass and DragonPass memberships with money. Aspire Lounge offers discounted rates for Eurocard and Diners Club holders. The exact rates depend on the card issuer.
Aspire Lounge is full-inclusive. After you have paid yourself in, almost everything is included. There is no need to pay extra for snacks, drinks or similar services. However, the lounge charges for sparkling wine.
Airline Customers
A few airlines operating in Helsinki invite their business and first-class passengers to Aspire Lounge. For example, airBaltic's and Icelandair's premium passengers get a complimentary invitation. Finnair invites its business class passengers to its own Finnair Lounges.
Walk-in Rate
The estimated walk-in price to Aspire Lounge is 35 euros without a pre-booking. However, we recommend booking a visit beforehand on Lounge Pass. Pre-booking guarantees access even during busy hours and the price is also cheaper. The pre-booked price is about 32 euros.
Rating
We have visited Aspire Lounge multiple times. Below, we rate different areas of the lounge services based on our own experiences.
Location
Aspire Lounge is easy to find. It is just next to gate 27 on the right. Gate 27 is only a few minutes walk away after the security check. You just need to follow the signs to gate 27 and the lounge is there.
Reaching other Schengen area gates after a lounge visit is fast taking only 5 to 15 minutes. There are no surprises, like train rides, but you can just walk to your gate. However, if you are flying out from the Schengen area, you need to clear passport control so this lounge is not perfect for you.
Comfiness
Aspire Lounge is generally a peaceful place. Thanks to its good location and the separate area upstairs of Helsinki Airport. Its colour theme is fresh and the lounge is comfortable. However, during rush hours the lounge may get quite crowded.
The lounge has many seating. Tables and chairs are available for eating and working. Power sockets are widely available. There are also softer chairs and small couches for relaxing. A decorative fireplace is a nice extra. During the dark hours, the lounge feels cosy with its soft lighting, views and decorative fireplace.
The view to the tarmac is amazing. This lounge is a perfect place for plane spotters. There are large glass windows and planes are just behind them. Also, the runways are visible.
Food and Drinks
Catering services of Aspire Lounge are at the average level.
The only warm food item is soup. For example, we ate tasty tomato soup in the lounge. In addition to soup, there are salads, chips, fruits, tasty quarks, bread, ham, cheese, chips and desserts.
The drink selection is good. During our visits, the lounge has offered juices, soft drinks, water, beer from a tap, wines and strong spirits. Also special coffee has been available from a coffee machine. For sparking wine, you need to pay extra. Cognac is complimentary.
Services
In addition to the complimentary catering services, the lounge has a few other services. There are flight monitors and toilets inside the lounge. Helsinki Airport provides free well-working Wi-Fi. There are multiple power sockets for charging your devices. Unfortunately, there isn't a shower service in the lounge.
Customer Service
The customer service is typical Finnish service. Everything works well and the staff are nice. But you should not expect over-friendliness and a smile is not always guaranteed.
Before our lounge visit in November 2022, we contacted the customer service of Executive Lounges he message but we never got a reply. Contacting Aspire Lounge and getting a reply seems to be quite difficult because there are no direct contact details either. Fortunately, a regular customer does not need to get in touch with the lounge before or after the visit.
Overall Rating
Aspire Lounge is better than many other lounges we have visited. It can't beat the Finnair Lounge at Helsinki Airport but it surely beats Scandinavian Airlines Lounge. Because there are no other third-party lounges in the Schengen area of Helsinki Airport, Aspire Lounge is the only choice for many travellers. The price is affordable and the lounge gives value for the money. We recommend visiting this lounge like we do multiple times a year.
There are many ways to access airport lounges.
- Infrequent travellers may book lounge visits on Lounge Pass.
- Frequent travellers may benefit from a lounge membership. Read our Priority Pass review.
You will find more helpful information from our lounge guide.
Common Questions
- Where is the Aspire Lounge at Helsinki Airport?
- It is upstairs near gate 27.
- Can I access non-Schengen gates from Aspire Lounge?
- Yes, you can. But reserve 15 minutes extra for passport control.
- Is alcohol served in Aspire Lounge?
- Yes. The lounge serves red and white wine, beer and spirits without extra charges.
- Is food served in Aspire Lounge?
- Yes, there are snacks and soup.
- Does Aspire Lounge have a shower and toilets?
- It has toilets but no shower.
- How much does it cost to visit Aspire Lounge?
- The price is about 35 euros. Remember to pre-book a visit to get a cheaper rate.
- Where can I book a visit to Aspire Lounge?
- Head to Lounge Pass and purchase a voucher.
Bottom Line
Passengers travelling in a premium class are invited to a lounge by the airline free of charge. At Helsinki, they may end up at the airline´s lounge or Aspire Lounge.
If you have just an economy class ticket, you can still get into a lounge by paying for access. Aspire Lounge is an affordable and good quality lounge for leisure travellers and it gives value for your money. We recommend trying it while travelling to a Schengen destination from Helsinki. The lounge may get crowded during busy hours so remember to pre-book your visit.
Have you been to Aspire Lounge? Comment below!
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