Snapshot: Finnair A330 Cockpit and Pilot Rest Area
A quick look inside Finnair's A330 cockpit and pilot rest area on a snowy day in Helsinki. A behind-the-scenes glimpse at one of Finnair's long-haul workhorses and the people who fly it.
Late last year I boarded a Finnair A330 in snowy Helsinki and had the chance to swing by the cockpit to speak with the flight crew.
The captain mentioned he started his career flying Finnair's Embraers. You could tell he was proud of that — moving from short regional hops to long-haul routes like today's.
Right behind the cockpit door was something I hadn't seen before on a widebody. The pilot rest area was built on the same level as the flight deck, more like a small train compartment than a typical upstairs crew bunk. Just enough space for one pilot to stretch out, with bedding, a light, and not much else. Simple, compact, and clearly designed to do the job.
Finnair's A350s get most of the attention these days, but the A330s still handle plenty of long-haul flying. It's always fun to get a look behind the scenes — especially on a widebody aircraft.
If you're flying Finnair on an AAdvantage award, use our AAdvantage Calculator to see how many miles you'll earn. Also check out my Helsinki Airport transfer test if you're connecting through HEL.