Review: Aspire Lounge at Helsinki Airport
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Aspire Lounge Helsinki Airport
Aspire Lounge is one of the business lounges in the Schengen area of Helsinki Airport. The lounge is operated by an international ground handling company, Swissport.
We have visited Aspire Lounge several times while flying from Helsinki Airport to destinations in the Schengen area. Because Helsinki Airport is our home base, the lounges at the airport have become familiar to us. In addition to Aspire Lounge, there are 6 other lounges at Helsinki Airport and half of them are in the Schengen area.
In the Schengen Area
Helsinki Airport has two terminals but they are connected. Walking between the terminals takes only 5 to 15 minutes so you can access Aspire Lounge as long as your flight is leaving 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 to pass the passport control after the lounge visit. At Helsinki Airport, you can expect passport control to be fast.
Aspire Lounge is located in Terminal 2 upstairs near Gate 27. It has replaced the previous Fly Inn Restaurant. The stairs up leave from Gate 27. An elevator is also available.
Access Methods
Aspire Lounge welcomes travellers being a part of Priority Pass, DragonPass and Lounge Key lounge programs. These memberships come usually with a premium credit card. Priority Pass or DragonPass memberships can also be bought with money. Aspire Lounge has discounted rate for Eurocard and Diners Club holders. The exact rate depends on the card issuer.
Aspire Lounge is full-inclusive. After you have paid yourself in, everything is included. There is no need to pay extras for snacks, drinks, showers or similar services.
Airline Customers
Some airlines invite their business and first-class passengers to Aspire Lounge. For example, Qatar's, airBaltic's and Icelandair's premium passengers will get a complimentary invitation. Finnair invites its business class passengers to its own Finnair Lounges.
Single Access by Money
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.
Our Rating for Aspire Lounge
Easiness to Find the Lounge
The lounge is easy to find close to Gate 27. Also, accessing your Schengen area gate after a lounge visit is fast taking only 5 to 10 minutes. At many airports, lounges are difficult to find but this is not the case with Aspire Lounge at Helsinki Airport.
Comfyness
Aspire Lounge is a peaceful and separate area upstairs of Helsinki Airport. Its colour theme is fresh and we would say that the lounge is comfortable. However, during rush hours, the lounge may get quite crowded.
There are sofas, soft chairs, normal chairs, tables and a meeting area. There is also a quiet area if you just wish to relax. A decorative fireplace is a nice extra.
Food and Drinks
Catering services at the lounge area at the average level.
The only warm food item is soup. In addition to soup, there are salads, chips, fruits, tasty quark, bread, ham, cheese, chips and desserts. The catering has always been at the same level during our visits.
The drink selection is very 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.
Services
In addition to the catering services, the lounge has a few extra services. There are toilets and shower facilities inside the lounge. Helsinki Airport provides free well-working WiFi. At Aspire Lounge, there is a work desk where you can charge devices. A small minus is that there are not enough power sockets around 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.
Overall Rating
Aspire Lounge is better than many other lounges we have visited. There is still much room to improve, but already now, the lounge gives much value for your money.
How to Access Lounges?
- Infrequent traveller may book lounge visits on Lounge Pass.
- Frequent traveller may benefit from a lounge membership. Read our Priority Pass review.
- Budget traveller may bid for a lounge visit. Read more about LoungePair.
More information you will find from our lounge guide.
Bottom Line
Premium airline passengers will be invited to a lounge by the airline free of charge. They may end up at the airline´s lounge or to Aspire Lounge. If you have just an economy ticket, there is still a chance to get into a lounge by paying access yourself. 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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