Finnair Launches Winter Menu with New Option to Pre-order Dishes in European Business Class

Finnair has served up its latest set of customer investments, with the launch of its new winter menu and ability for customers to now pre-order their choice of meals when travelling on short-haul Business Class flights.

Designed to warm up customers during the cooler winter months, the new menu has been inspired by the fresh flavours of Finland, with an Asian twist in a nod to the airline’s network.

Finnair’s new winter menu is already available on all scheduled services, with customers able to enjoy a new taste of Finland up to and including 28 January 2025.

Sami Oksava, Finnair Kitchen Development Chef, said: “As the temperatures start to drop, we are excited to be launching our new winter menu, thoughtfully crafted to bring warmth and Nordic flavours to customers during the season.

“With new dishes across all cabins, and the ability to now pre-order your preferred meal when travelling in Business class within Europe, we are confident these changes will go down a treat with customers.”

Ability to pre-order dishes on short-haul Business Class flights

As part of Finnair’s commitment to customer experience, the airline has launched a new highly anticipated feature alongside its winter menu.

Customers travelling in Business Class on short-haul flights within Europe* now have the option to pre-select their preferred dish from a range of four options, allowing customers to browse before they board.

Available for lunch and dinner services, the new feature will be available in Manage My Booking, and will include a range of locally inspired dishes. These include beef meatballs in a cream sauce with mashed potatoes, broccoli and lingonberries; and smoked salmon lasagne with a creamy spinach and tomato sauce topped with cheese gratiné.

This complements Finnair’s existing service on Business Class flights within Europe, which allows those with dietary requirements to request a special meal pre-departure, catered to suit their needs.

Customers travelling in Business Class to Finnair’s long-haul destinations can already enjoy this feature, choosing their preferred dish from an online menu in advance.

New flavours from Finland across complimentary long-haul dishes

As part of the new menu, Finnair has relaunched its long-haul Business Class menu, combining simple, fresh Nordic flavours with local touches from the airline’s global network of destinations.

Crafted to take customers on a journey with their taste buds, new seasonal appetisers include smoked whitefish, crayfish tails and Shimeji mushrooms, in addition to both salmon tartare and spicy sriracha shrimp with trout roe and cucumber in scallop cream. For customers who prefer a vegetarian option, a new goat’s cheese tartlet with semi-dried cherry tomatoes and redcurrant compote will be offered.

For the main course, customers also have a choice of a new range of recipes, including slow-cooked beef entrecôte with garlic mashed potatoes, root vegetables and sautéed porcini mushrooms in blackberry sauce or pike-perch and salmon terrine with creamy kohlrabi and roasted vegetables in lobster sauce. A third destination-specific option will also be offered, in addition to a range of meals available to pre-order for those with specific dietary requirements.

To complement these changes, Finnair has also updated its wine list and dessert options to suit the new menu, in addition to launching a new snack menu.

Designed to offer Business Class customers travelling on long-haul flights snacks and movie treats, the new range will include sweet treats such as Pågen cinnamon buns and Fazer Domino biscuits, in addition to cold-smoked reindeer and hummus sandwiches on flights departing from Helsinki.

Customers travelling in both Premium Economy and Economy will also receive a refreshed menu, with locally inspired dishes designed based on the length of each flight, in addition to a bar service which includes hot and cold refreshments.

Expanded range of options for customers to purchase

Customers with an appetite for more can also enjoy a new expanded range of drinks and snacks available to purchase in Economy, as part of the airline’s catering enhancements.

This winter, the Nordic airline will increase its range of non-alcoholic drinks options, adding alcohol-free beer, Nocco energy drinks, and fruit smoothies. Hot chocolate will also be available on European flights, with those travelling to ski destinations in Northern Finland also able to add a touch of zest to their hot chocolate with mint liqueur on offer.

New food options also include Barbells protein bar and salami snacks available to purchase onboard, complementing Finnair’s existing selection of fresh sandwiches, hot meals and light bites available to pre-order - including the popular cold-smoked reindeer-brie cheese sandwich, vegetable combo mozzarella-paprika-focaccia, and beef bulgogi bowl salad.

On long-haul flights and services to Gran Canaria, Finnair will also launch a new range of travel extras for customers who forget those all-important essentials. The new range will include a toothbrush and toothpaste set and Finnair branded playing cards, in addition to travel sized chocolates.

Customers travelling with Finnair will also continue to enjoy the airline’s iconic blueberry juice free of charge on all flights**, irrespective of their class of travel.